Jeremiah 32 38

Jeremiah 32:38 kjv

And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:

Jeremiah 32:38 nkjv

They shall be My people, and I will be their God;

Jeremiah 32:38 niv

They will be my people, and I will be their God.

Jeremiah 32:38 esv

And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

Jeremiah 32:38 nlt

They will be my people, and I will be their God.

Jeremiah 32 verses

Jeremiah 32 38 Meaning

This verse is a pivotal promise of God regarding the restoration of His people, Israel. It signifies a new covenant, characterized by internal transformation where God's laws will be placed within their innermost being and written upon their hearts. This transformation will result in a deeply ingrained knowledge of God, leading to obedience and a restored relationship, establishing them as His people and Himself as their God.

Jeremiah 32 38 Context

Jeremiah 32 records God's directive to Jeremiah to purchase a field from his cousin during a time of national crisis—the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. This seemingly illogical act was a sign of faith, demonstrating belief in God's promised future restoration despite present desolation. Chapter 32 emphasizes God's sovereignty over history and His faithfulness to His covenant promises. Verse 38 concludes this prophetic declaration with the essence of the new covenant, a contrast to the breaking of the old covenant. The immediate context highlights God's intention to re-establish a definitive covenant relationship with His people after the chastisement of exile. The original audience, facing imminent destruction and captivity, would have found this promise of a transformed inner life and secure relationship with God incredibly hopeful.

Jeremiah 32 38 Word Analysis

• "And" (וְ - v'): Connects this verse to the preceding statement, serving as a conjunctive adverb, indicating the continuation and reinforcement of God's promises.

• "I will give" (נָתַתִּי - natátti): First-person singular, perfect tense of "to give." Denotes a completed action by God, emphasizing His sovereign initiative and the certainty of the gift.

• "to them" (לָהֶם - lāhém): Plural masculine pronoun, referring to the house of Israel, signifying the communal aspect of this covenant blessing.

• "a heart" (לֵב - lév): Literally "heart," but in Hebrew thought, the "heart" represents the center of a person's being, including intellect, emotions, will, and conscience. It's the core of personality and decision-making.

• "to know" (לָדַעַת - lada'át): Infinitive construct of the verb "to know," signifying recognition, understanding, and experiential knowledge.

• "the LORD" (יְהוָה - YHVH): The personal, covenant name of God. Its inclusion here underscores that the knowledge to be imparted is not generic but specifically the knowledge of the God who is in covenant relationship with Israel.

• "and" (וְ - v'): Conjunction.

• "they shall be" (וְהָיוּ - wĕhāyû): Third-person plural, imperfect tense of "to be." Indicates future existence or state.

• "my people" (עַמִּי - ‘ammí): First-person possessive, "my people." Declares ownership and a restored relationship, reversing the consequences of sin.

• "and" (וַאֲנִי - wa'anî): Conjunction plus first-person singular pronoun.

• "I" (אֲנִי - aní): Emphatic personal pronoun.

• "will be" (אֶהְיֶה - ĕhyeh): First-person singular, imperfect tense of "to be."

• "their God" (אֱלֹהֵיהֶם - ĕlohêhém): Plural form of "God" (Elohim), indicating the majesty and comprehensive nature of God in His relationship with them, coupled with the plural possessive suffix, emphasizing His covenantal claim and relationship with them collectively.

• Group Analysis: The phrase "a heart to know the LORD" (לֵב לָדַעַת אֶת-יְהוָה - lév lada'át et-YHVH) is crucial. It signifies not just intellectual assent but a profound, inner disposition that leads to relationship and obedience. The parallel construction of "they shall be my people, and I will be their God" (וְהָיוּ לִי לְעָם וַאֲנִי אֶהְיֶה לָהֶם אֱלֹהִים - wĕhāyû lî lĕ‘am wa'anî ĕhyeh lāhém ĕlohîm) emphasizes mutuality and the complete restoration of covenant fellowship, an unassailable bond that sin could not ultimately break.

Jeremiah 32 38 Bonus Section

This promise is the theological backbone of what the New Testament identifies as the work of the Holy Spirit in believers' lives. The "writing on the heart" by the Spirit (2 Cor 3:3) is what enables Christians to know God intimately and obey His will not out of compulsion, but from a transformed nature. The concept of God giving "a heart to know" Him directly anticipates Christ's teaching, "This is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent" (John 17:3). This verse illustrates God's faithfulness to His covenant even in the face of Israel's repeated unfaithfulness, pointing towards a future of ultimate reconciliation and perfection.

Jeremiah 32 38 Commentary

This verse encapsulates the essence of the New Covenant promised by God. It moves beyond external observance of law to an internal transformation. God's commitment is to fundamentally change His people by implanting His law and nature within them, leading to an intimate knowledge of Himself. This internal renewal ensures authentic obedience flowing from a transformed heart, re-establishing the covenant relationship as one of belonging and divine presence. It's a promise of indelible connection and continuous divine impartation.