Jeremiah 33 22

Jeremiah 33:22 kjv

As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David my servant, and the Levites that minister unto me.

Jeremiah 33:22 nkjv

As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, nor the sand of the sea measured, so will I multiply the descendants of David My servant and the Levites who minister to Me.' "

Jeremiah 33:22 niv

I will make the descendants of David my servant and the Levites who minister before me as countless as the stars in the sky and as measureless as the sand on the seashore.'?"

Jeremiah 33:22 esv

As the host of heaven cannot be numbered and the sands of the sea cannot be measured, so I will multiply the offspring of David my servant, and the Levitical priests who minister to me."

Jeremiah 33:22 nlt

And as the stars of the sky cannot be counted and the sand on the seashore cannot be measured, so I will multiply the descendants of my servant David and the Levites who minister before me."

Jeremiah 33 verses

Jeremiah 33 22 Meaning

The verse declares that just as the host of heaven cannot be numbered, nor the sand of the sea measured, so too will the offspring of God's people be. This signifies an immense, uncountable posterity, representing both physical descendants and a spiritual multitude brought into God's covenant through faith.

Jeremiah 33 22 Context

Jeremiah 33 comes after a period of intense prophecy regarding Jerusalem's destruction and subsequent restoration. Chapter 33 itself is known as the "promissory psalm" or "ministry of reconciliation." It shifts from judgment to profound hope and the establishment of a new covenant. This verse is part of God's overarching promise to rebuild Jerusalem, establish an everlasting Davidic kingdom, and bring blessing to His people. The mention of "offspring of David" points to the coming Messiah, and the "Levites" represent the continuation of worship. The vastness described emphasizes the inclusivity and abundance of God's salvation plan, extending beyond national borders to a spiritual multitude.

Jeremiah 33 22 Word Analysis

• וְהָיָה (və·hā·yâ): "And it shall be." This is a common Hebrew conjunction that introduces a statement of consequence or future certainty, often linked to divine pronouncements. It establishes a connection to what has been said previously, continuing the flow of promise.
• כְּצָבָא (kə·ṣā·ḇāʾ): "As the host" or "like the army." This refers to a vast, organized multitude. In the Old Testament, "host" can refer to celestial bodies (host of heaven) or armies. Here, it evokes the uncountable nature of stars, emphasizing the immense quantity.
• הַשָּׁמַיִם (haš·šā·ma·yim): "The heavens." This refers to the sky, the firmament, and the celestial realm, home to the stars and other heavenly bodies. Its uncountable nature serves as the first simile.
• אֲשֶׁר (ʾă·šer): "Which" or "that." A relative pronoun introducing a descriptive clause.
• לֹא־יִמָּנֶה (lōʾ·yim·mā·nê): "Cannot be numbered." The Niphal (passive) form of the verb "manah" (to count, number). It signifies an inability to count or enumerate, highlighting immensity.
• וְחָלִיל (wə·ḥā·lîl): "Nor is." A conjunction followed by a negation.
• סָפַר (sā·p̄ar): "Counted" or "numbered." Synonymous with "yimmā·nê," reinforcing the theme of uncountability.
• חֹל (ḥōl): "Sand." The basic material of the seashore.
• יָם (yām): "Sea."
• שְׂפַת (śə·p̄a·ṯ): "The shore" or "the edge of." Possessive construct form of "sephah" (lip, edge, shore).
• וְכֵן (wə·ḵên): "And so" or "and likewise." This introduces the second simile, connecting the measure of sand to the future state of God's people.
• כֵּן (kên): "So" or "thus." An adverb indicating manner or degree.
• אַחֲרֵי־ (ʾă·ḥă·rê-): "Offspring" or "posterity." The plural form of "acher," signifying those who come after. It encompasses descendants and inheritors.
• זֶרַע (ze·raʿ): "Offspring" or "seed." Another term for descendants, often used to emphasize continuity and lineage.
• דָּוִד (dā·wi·ḏ): "David." Refers to King David, representing the Davidic dynasty and the promised Messiah who would descend from him.
• עַבְדִּי (ʿap̄·dî): "My servant." A term of endearment and divine election for David, and by extension, for those in loyal service to God.
• וְאֶת־ (wə·ʾɛṯ-): "And." A direct object marker.
• הַלְוִיִּם (hal·lĕ·wî·yim): "The Levites." The priestly tribe responsible for service in the sanctuary, symbolizing continued spiritual leadership and worship.
• הַמְשָׁרְתִים (ham·mə·šā·rə·ṯîm): "Who minister" or "who serve." The active participle of "sharath" (to serve), indicating those engaged in divine service.
• אֹתִי (ʾō·ṯî): "Me." Refers directly to God.

Grouped Analysis:

• Immensity and Immeasurability: The comparison to "the host of heaven" and "the sand of the sea" are classic Hebrew hyperbole used to express something that is impossibly large and impossible to count. This is central to the verse's message of God's abundant blessing and the growth of His people.
• Offspring of David and Levites: This pairing signifies the dual fulfillment: the continuation of the royal line through David (pointing to the eternal reign of the Messiah) and the perpetuation of spiritual service through the Levites (representing the ongoing worship and covenant life of God's people).
• Divine Multiplication: The phrase "so will I multiply" underscores God's active role in causing this immense growth. It's not merely a natural increase but a supernatural expansion of His covenant people.

Jeremiah 33 22 Bonus Section

The imagery of "sand of the sea" also appears in Hosea 1:10, reinforcing its significance as a prophetic motif for abundant offspring. The juxtaposition of "host of heaven" (stars) and "sand of the sea" (earthly but innumerable) covers the vastness of God's people both in the spiritual realm (celestial blessings) and in their earthly manifestation. This verse lays a crucial foundation for understanding the inclusivity of the Gospel, where Gentiles become spiritual children of Abraham, counted among the multitude that no one can number, as seen in Revelation 7:9. The verse also subtly points to the permanence of God's covenant, which cannot be broken or diminished, reflecting God's unwavering character.

Jeremiah 33 22 Commentary

Jeremiah 33:22 is a powerful testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, even after periods of judgment. It reassures the people that their future is not one of extinction but of immeasurable growth and prosperity. This abundance speaks of both physical descendants who would repopulate the land and, more profoundly, a spiritual multitude brought into relationship with God. The references to David and the Levites highlight the Messianic hope and the enduring nature of true worship. The immensity described mirrors the scope of God's redemptive plan, which ultimately extends to all nations through Christ, whose spiritual seed is countless. The promise anticipates the new covenant where "all Israel will be saved" and the universal nature of the church, a people not numbered by earthly measures.