Jeremiah 32 23

Jeremiah 32:23 kjv

And they came in, and possessed it; but they obeyed not thy voice, neither walked in thy law; they have done nothing of all that thou commandedst them to do: therefore thou hast caused all this evil to come upon them:

Jeremiah 32:23 nkjv

And they came in and took possession of it, but they have not obeyed Your voice or walked in Your law. They have done nothing of all that You commanded them to do; therefore You have caused all this calamity to come upon them.

Jeremiah 32:23 niv

They came in and took possession of it, but they did not obey you or follow your law; they did not do what you commanded them to do. So you brought all this disaster on them.

Jeremiah 32:23 esv

And they entered and took possession of it. But they did not obey your voice or walk in your law. They did nothing of all you commanded them to do. Therefore you have made all this disaster come upon them.

Jeremiah 32:23 nlt

Our ancestors came and conquered it and lived in it, but they refused to obey you or follow your word. They have not done anything you commanded. That is why you have sent this terrible disaster upon them.

Jeremiah 32 verses

Jeremiah 32 23 Meaning

The verse signifies that God acted powerfully and decisively, bringing Israel out of Egypt. This was not done in secret but openly, before all the nations. It highlights God's sovereignty and His demonstration of power to His chosen people and to the world.

Jeremiah 32 23 Context

Jeremiah 32 occurs during the siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonian army under Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah has been imprisoned by King Zedekiah for his prophecies that Jerusalem will fall. Despite the dire circumstances, God commands Jeremiah to buy a field from his cousin, Hanamel. This act is a sign of future hope and restoration, demonstrating faith in God's promise to bring the people back from exile and repossess the land. Verse 23 reflects on God's past mighty act of delivering Israel from Egypt, reminding them and setting a precedent for God's faithfulness despite current judgment. It anchors the future promise of land repossession in God's established record of powerful, public acts of salvation.

Jeremiah 32 23 Word Analysis

• "And": Connects this verse to the preceding thought, linking God's past actions to His present dealings and future promises.

• "you": Refers to the descendants of Israel.

• "brought forth": Implies a forceful and intentional extraction, not a passive movement. The Hebrew root (יצא - yatsa') means "to go out," "to come out," "to be brought forth," "to produce."

• "your fathers": Specifically addresses the generation that inherited the memory of the Exodus, and by extension, all generations of Israel.

• "out of the land": Identifies Egypt as the place of bondage and oppression from which deliverance was experienced.

• "of Egypt": Specifies the nation of origin for the slavery and the location of God's powerful intervention.

• "with": Indicates the means or accompaniment of this deliverance.

• "a mighty hand": A common idiom signifying God's direct, powerful, and undeniable intervention. It emphasizes divine strength and capability, often contrasting with human weakness or opposition. The Hebrew phrase (יָד חֲזָקָה - yad chazaqah) is frequently used in Scripture to describe God's powerful actions (e.g., Deut 4:34, 1 Kings 8:42).

• "and": Further connects the means to the result.

• "with": Introduces another aspect or confirmation of the deliverance.

• "stretched out arm": A powerful visual metaphor for God's extended reach, power, and execution of judgment and salvation. It signifies judgment against enemies and protection/provision for His people. The Hebrew (זְרוֹעַ נְטוּיָה - zerowa nětūyah) emphasizes proactive and encompassing action (e.g., Deut 5:15, Psa 136:12).

• "and": Connects the actions to their outward display.

• "with": Introduces the outward manifestation of God's power.

• "great terror": The Hebrew word (אֵימָה - eymah) denotes terror, dread, fear, or awe. This refers to the profound fear and panic that gripped the Egyptians during the plagues and the parting of the Red Sea, demonstrating God's awesome power.

• Group: "mighty hand and outstretched arm": This common biblical pairing (Exod 5:22; Deut 4:34; Jer 27:5) emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's power—both forceful and sustained, direct and visible. It assures that His deliverance is not a casual act but one executed with overwhelming strength and undeniable purpose.

• Group: "great terror": This phrase signifies that God’s intervention was not merely an internal experience for Israel but an external, visible demonstration designed to instill awe and fear in adversaries and witness to all nations, even Egypt itself.

Jeremiah 32 23 Bonus Section

The phrase "with a mighty hand and with a stretched out arm" is found 14 times in the Old Testament, almost always in reference to God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt. This repetition emphasizes the unique, foundational nature of the Exodus event in Israel's national and spiritual identity. The "great terror" was a palpable manifestation of God's presence and judgment against Egypt, confirming that the God of Israel was indeed sovereign over the gods of Egypt (Exodus 12:12). This public display of power served to both humble Egypt and exalt Israel's God in the eyes of the nations, fulfilling His covenant promises and setting a precedent for His ongoing relationship with His people. The memory of the Exodus, as invoked here, was meant to inspire faith during times of crisis, reinforcing the assurance that God's power to save is constant and dependable.

Jeremiah 32 23 Commentary

This verse is a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness, rooted in His historical deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage. The language employed—"mighty hand" and "stretched out arm"—speaks to the irresistible force and purposeful extent of God's power. The inclusion of "great terror" underscores that this salvation was not a subtle event but a spectacular demonstration of divine might, causing profound fear among the oppressors. In the context of Jeremiah's time, facing the imminent destruction of Jerusalem, this verse serves as a theological anchor, assuring the people that the same God who achieved such an astounding victory in the past is capable of bringing about future restoration and redemption, despite present desolation. It testifies that God's acts of deliverance are public and manifest, intended to glorify His name among all peoples.