Jeremiah 46 28

Jeremiah 46:28 kjv

Fear thou not, O Jacob my servant, saith the LORD: for I am with thee; for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I have driven thee: but I will not make a full end of thee, but correct thee in measure; yet will I not leave thee wholly unpunished.

Jeremiah 46:28 nkjv

Do not fear, O Jacob My servant," says the LORD, "For I am with you; For I will make a complete end of all the nations To which I have driven you, But I will not make a complete end of you. I will rightly correct you, For I will not leave you wholly unpunished."

Jeremiah 46:28 niv

Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant, for I am with you," declares the LORD. "Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only in due measure; I will not let you go entirely unpunished."

Jeremiah 46:28 esv

Fear not, O Jacob my servant, declares the LORD, for I am with you. I will make a full end of all the nations to which I have driven you, but of you I will not make a full end. I will discipline you in just measure, and I will by no means leave you unpunished."

Jeremiah 46:28 nlt

Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant,
for I am with you," says the LORD.
"I will completely destroy the nations to which I have exiled you,
but I will not completely destroy you.
I will discipline you, but with justice;
I cannot let you go unpunished."

Jeremiah 46 verses

Jeremiah 46 28 Meaning

This verse offers a profound assurance to God's covenant people, Jacob (Israel), amidst widespread fear and judgment on surrounding nations. It declares that the Lord's presence will accompany them, contrasting the utter destruction destined for other nations with Israel's preservation. Though Israel will face divine discipline for their transgressions, this correction will be just and measured, never leading to their complete annihilation, for God will not let their sin go unpunished. It underscores God's sovereignty over all peoples and His unwavering faithfulness to His unique relationship with Israel, purifying them through trials rather than destroying them.

Jeremiah 46 28 Context

Jeremiah 46:28 concludes a series of "Oracles Against the Nations" that begins in Jeremiah 46:1, specifically focusing on the prophecy against Egypt (Jer 46:1-26). This sudden shift in verse 27 and 28 to address "My servant Jacob" is highly significant. It sharply contrasts the definitive, destructive judgment declared upon mighty nations like Egypt with God's distinctive and preserving relationship with Israel. Historically, these prophecies were delivered during the volatile late 7th to early 6th centuries BCE, a period marked by the decline of Assyria, the rise of Babylon, and the struggle between Babylon and Egypt for regional dominance. Judah, caught in this geopolitical maelstrom, was terrified and facing exile. Jeremiah 46:28 provides a covenantal anchor, reassuring Israel of their unique place in God's plans amidst the chaos and the inevitable consequences of their own unfaithfulness.

Jeremiah 46 28 Word analysis

• "Do not be afraid":
  • Hebrew: 'Al tira' (אַל תִּירָא).
  • Significance: A common divine imperative, frequently found in covenantal contexts or moments of crisis (e.g., to Abram in Gen 15:1). It conveys not merely an absence of fear, but an assurance that inspires confident trust in God's presence and power. It counters the very real terror faced by a nation on the brink of exile.
• "My servant Jacob":
  • Hebrew: 'Abdi Ya'aqov (עַבְדִּי יַעֲקֹב).
  • Significance: "Jacob" represents the entire nation of Israel. "My servant" is an intimate, covenantal term, highlighting their special chosen status and role under God (e.g., Isaiah's servant songs). It indicates ownership and a divine calling.
• "declares the Lord":
  • Hebrew: ne'um Yahweh (נְאֻם יְהוָה).
  • Significance: A formal, authoritative prophetic declaration formula, emphasizing that the message originates directly from the sovereign God (Yahweh), lending it absolute truth and power. It authenticates the promise.
• "for I am with you":
  • Hebrew: ki 'itti 'anī (כִּי אִתְּךָ אָנִי).
  • Significance: This is a foundational promise throughout the Bible ("Immanuel"). It signifies God's personal presence, protection, and active engagement with His people. It is the basis for the command "Do not be afraid."
• "I will make a complete end":
  • Hebrew: kālah 'asah (כָּלָה אֶעֱשֶׂה) meaning 'to bring to an end', 'annihilate'.
  • Significance: Refers to utter destruction, a total and final annihilation. It describes the comprehensive judgment God brings upon the idolatrous, hostile nations that opposed His plan and oppressed His people. This highlights God's sovereignty over history and nations.
• "of all the nations to which I have driven you":
  • Hebrew: kol hagoyim 'ašer hinnaddaḥtīkhā (כָּל־הַגּוֹיִם אֲשֶׁר הִדַּחְתִּיךָ).
  • Significance: "Nations" (goyim) refers to gentile peoples. "Driven you" (naddakh) acknowledges Israel's impending or current exile, but importantly, God takes responsibility for it. This was not random fate, but divine judgment and providence, aimed at purifying Israel and scattering them to witness. This confirms divine control over both Israel's suffering and the fate of their oppressors.
• "but I will not make a complete end of you":
  • Hebrew: wĕ'ōtəkhā lo' 'akalleh (וְאֹתְךָ לֹא אֲכַלֶּה).
  • Significance: A profound contrast to the fate of the nations. While they face complete destruction (kālah), Israel, despite their sin, will not be utterly wiped out. This highlights God's enduring covenant faithfulness and distinct purpose for His people, preventing their final extinction.
• "I will discipline you, but with justice":
  • Hebrew: wĕyissartīkhā le'mišpāṭ (וְיִסַּרְתִּיךָ לַמִּשְׁפָּט).
  • Significance: "Discipline" (yāsar) means to chastise, instruct, or correct. It's purposeful and remedial, akin to a father disciplining a child (Prov 3:11-12). "With justice" (le'mišpāṭ) indicates that God's discipline is not arbitrary, vengeful, or disproportionate, but righteous, fair, and perfectly balanced. It serves His redemptive purposes and is always tempered by His unwavering moral standard.
• "I will not leave you unpunished":
  • Hebrew: wĕnaqqeh lo' 'anaqqekka (וְנַקֵּה לֹא אֲנַקֶּךָּ) which literally means "and clean (innocent) I will not hold you clean/innocent."
  • Significance: This double negative confirms that Israel's sin will not be overlooked; they will face consequences for their rebellion. God's justice requires this accountability. Yet, the consequence is discipline aimed at purification, not the complete end given to other nations. It ensures that divine grace is not cheap and holiness is upheld, while distinguishing their disciplinary suffering from final condemnation.

Jeremiah 46 28 Bonus section

• Polemical Statement: This verse functions as a powerful polemic against the worldview prevalent in ancient Near Eastern religions, where a nation's defeat often signified the defeat or weakness of its deity. By stating He will destroy the nations and their gods but will not make an end of Israel, Yahweh emphatically asserts His supreme power over all other deities and their earthly representatives. It challenges the assumption that Israel's suffering meant Yahweh had abandoned them or was inferior to other gods. Instead, it asserts His unique, sovereign control over historical events and distinguishes His purpose for His people from that for all others.
• Redemptive Suffering: The "discipline" mentioned here previews the concept of suffering having a redemptive purpose, a theme developed throughout prophetic literature and profoundly in the New Testament (e.g., Rom 5:3-5, Heb 12:11). It transforms a period of national calamity into a period of purification and spiritual growth, showing God's grace in utilizing judgment for a higher, restorative end for His people.

Jeremiah 46 28 Commentary

Jeremiah 46:28 acts as a beacon of hope and a profound theological statement embedded within God's judgment upon the nations. It showcases Yahweh's absolute sovereignty, capable of executing total destruction on empires like Egypt, while simultaneously maintaining a covenant-bound, preserving relationship with Israel. The promise "Do not be afraid, My servant Jacob, declares the Lord, for I am with you" is the bedrock of their hope, emphasizing God's intimate and continuous presence regardless of their circumstances, including exile.

The core distinction lies in the nature of judgment: the nations face complete end, a finality reflecting their sustained opposition to God. In stark contrast, Israel, despite being "driven out" by God Himself due to their disobedience, will not experience total annihilation. Instead, they will undergo rigorous divine discipline. This discipline is rooted in justice, meaning it is not arbitrary or excessively harsh, but precise, corrective, and purposeful. It serves as a refining fire, meant to purify, lead to repentance, and restore them to covenant faithfulness, rather than erase them from existence. The affirmation "I will not leave you unpunished" underscores that God’s justice is inviolable; He cannot overlook sin. However, for His people, this punishment takes the form of disciplinary chastisement that leads to eventual restoration, proving His steadfast love and enduring commitment to His chosen people. The verse highlights that God's dealings with humanity are always just, but His unique covenant relationship allows for mercy within that justice for His beloved children, a mercy not extended to His hardened adversaries.