Jeremiah 4 2

Jeremiah 4:2 kjv

And thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.

Jeremiah 4:2 nkjv

And you shall swear, 'The LORD lives,' In truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; The nations shall bless themselves in Him, And in Him they shall glory."

Jeremiah 4:2 niv

and if in a truthful, just and righteous way you swear, 'As surely as the LORD lives,' then the nations will invoke blessings by him and in him they will boast."

Jeremiah 4:2 esv

and if you swear, 'As the LORD lives,' in truth, in justice, and in righteousness, then nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory."

Jeremiah 4:2 nlt

Then when you swear by my name, saying,
'As surely as the LORD lives,'
you could do so
with truth, justice, and righteousness.
Then you would be a blessing to the nations of the world,
and all people would come and praise my name."

Jeremiah 4 verses

Jeremiah 4 2 Meaning

Jeremiah 4:2 conveys a conditional promise regarding the restoration of Judah. If the people genuinely repent and take oaths to Yahweh "in truth, in justice, and in righteousness," their fidelity will have universal repercussions. Their faithfulness will lead to the Gentile nations acknowledging the God of Israel, finding blessing through Him, and ultimately glorying in Him. This verse emphasizes the profound connection between Israel's obedient conduct and God's global redemptive purpose, highlighting a potential future where Judah serves as a light to the nations.

Jeremiah 4 2 Context

Jeremiah 4:2 falls within a section (Jeremiah 3:22b-4:4) where Yahweh appeals to Judah for genuine repentance. This immediate context follows Chapter 3, which details Judah's unfaithfulness—compared to a harlot—despite being called to return. Jeremiah 4:1 explicitly states the condition: "If you return, O Israel... then you shall not wander away..." Verse 4:2 elaborates on how that return should manifest, particularly in the solemn act of oath-taking, which was deeply ingrained in ancient Near Eastern society and religious practice.

Historically, Judah under kings like Josiah and later Jehoiakim was experiencing a blend of religious syncretism, worshipping Yahweh alongside foreign deities like Baal. The practice of swearing oaths by these false gods was prevalent, undermining true allegiance to Yahweh. Jeremiah's message is therefore a direct call to abandon hypocrisy and make an exclusive, authentic commitment to the one true God, impacting not only Judah's covenant standing but also its prophetic mission to the world.

Jeremiah 4 2 Word analysis

• And if you swear (וְנִשְׁבַּעְתָּ - v'nishbata`): Derived from shava (to make an oath). This verb is in the niphal perfect, implying a completed or desired action. Oath-taking was a solemn act, invoking divine witness, often sealing covenants or assertions. The "if" highlights the conditional nature: it's not merely any swearing, but an oath under specific, sincere conditions. It points to a deep commitment and public declaration.
• 'As the LORD lives' (חַי-יְהוָה - ḥai-YHWH): A standard formula for an oath in ancient Israel, indicating the living, active presence and power of Yahweh. It asserts God's ultimate authority, truthfulness, and ability to enforce the oath, unlike dead idols. To swear by Yahweh was to pledge allegiance and call upon Him as the guarantor.
• in truth (בֶּאֱמֶת - b'emet): From emet, meaning truth, firmness, faithfulness, reliability. This demands absolute sincerity, honesty, and consistency between spoken words and inner intention. It combats deception and lip-service, contrasting with those who swore by Yahweh but lived by other gods.
• in justice (בְּמִשְׁפָּט - b'mishpat): From mishpat, encompassing judgment, justice, law, and ordinance. This implies that the oath must align with divine standards of fairness and equity, affecting both personal conduct and communal relations. It extends beyond legal exactness to ethical righteousness in decision-making and interaction.
• and in righteousness (וּבִצְדָקָה - uv'tzdaqah): From tsedaqah, meaning righteousness, uprightness, moral purity, and adherence to covenantal expectations. This refers to moral integrity, doing what is right in God's eyes. Combined with truth and justice, it forms a triad defining truly consecrated living, foundational to Israel's covenant with Yahweh.
• then nations (גּוֹיִם - goyim): The plural of goy, meaning peoples or ethnic groups, commonly used for non-Israelite nations, often perceived as "Gentiles." This indicates a universal, global impact beyond Judah's borders. It signifies God's intention for His redemptive plan to reach all humanity.
• shall bless themselves in him (וְהִתְבָּרְכוּ בוֹ - v'hitbarkhu bo): The hitpa'el stem of barakh (to bless). This reflexive form means "they shall bless themselves," "find blessing for themselves," or "identify themselves as blessed." It echoes the Abrahamic covenant (Gen 12:3), suggesting that nations will acknowledge Yahweh and implicitly, Judah, as the source of true blessing, desiring a similar relationship.
• and in him shall they glory (וּבוֹ יִתְהַלָּלוּ - uvo yithallalu): The hitpa'el stem of halal (to praise, boast, celebrate). This also has a reflexive sense: "they shall glory in Him," "boast in Him," or "praise themselves in connection with Him." It implies public celebration and recognition of Yahweh's greatness, becoming a testament to His sovereign power and goodness.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And if you swear, 'As the LORD lives,'": This phrase establishes the central condition: a genuine, covenantal oath to Yahweh. It emphasizes exclusive allegiance to the living God, distinguishing it from oaths sworn to idols. It represents a turning point, demanding that verbal commitment align with theological conviction.
• "in truth, in justice, and in righteousness": This vital triad specifies the character of the required commitment. It’s not enough to use God’s name; the oath and subsequent conduct must be steeped in integrity, fairness, and moral uprightness. This is a profound ethical challenge to a people often engaged in deceit, injustice, and idolatry. It calls for comprehensive internal and external renewal.
• "then nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory": This highlights the magnificent universal consequence. Israel's faithfulness isn't solely for its own benefit but is integral to God's wider plan for humanity. By truly living out their covenant, Israel becomes a magnetic witness, drawing goyim to seek God's blessing and praise Him, thereby fulfilling the Abrahamic promise and establishing Yahweh's glory throughout the earth.

Jeremiah 4 2 Bonus section

The reflexive nature of the Hebrew hitpa'el verbs "shall bless themselves" and "shall glory themselves" (v'hitbarkhu bo and uvo yithallalu) is crucial. It suggests that the nations will not merely be blessed by God through Judah, but will actively seek and find blessing for themselves by associating with God. They will acknowledge Him as the source of well-being and honor Him with their own praises, as Judah, by its true repentance, validates Yahweh's character and covenant faithfulness to them. This active identification highlights the transformative power of God's presence as manifest through a genuinely obedient people. The verse is an exhortation, a conditional promise, and a prophetic vision all in one, challenging Judah to become what it was always intended to be: a distinct, holy nation whose transformed life proclaims God's glory to the whole world.

Jeremiah 4 2 Commentary

Jeremiah 4:2 serves as a pivotal conditional promise, encapsulating God's ultimate desire for Israel's renewal and universal witness. The verse is a profound call to integrity, moving beyond mere outward ritual to a deeply committed faith. Judah's covenant oath to Yahweh, far from being a superficial utterance, is required to be genuinely "in truth, in justice, and in righteousness." This triad forms the very essence of biblical ethics and spiritual fidelity, confronting the widespread hypocrisy and moral decay that plagued the nation. It represents a call for the nation's entire societal fabric—personal honesty, legal fairness, and corporate morality—to reflect Yahweh's character.

The remarkable outcome, "then nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory," elevates Judah's repentance beyond national interest to global significance. It firmly roots Jeremiah's prophecy within the broader Abrahamic covenant, wherein Israel was chosen not just for its own sake, but to mediate divine blessing to all peoples. If Israel embodies its true calling, its righteous example will serve as a beacon, causing Gentile nations to recognize and find salvation through Yahweh, aligning their worship and boasting with the one true God. This underlines the profound theological truth that Israel's faithfulness is instrumental in revealing God's character and purposes to the world, and a reminder that our walk with God has implications beyond ourselves.

• Practical Usage Example: For a leader, this verse might encourage ensuring that their public commitments and daily decisions are marked by absolute truth, unwavering justice, and demonstrable righteousness, understanding that such integrity reflects God and impacts the broader community's perception of faith.
• Practical Usage Example: For an individual, it highlights that private devotion and integrity—even in mundane pledges or decisions—are not isolated acts. They contribute to a cumulative testimony that, when multiplied by a community of believers, can draw others to recognize and honor God.