Jeremiah 16:19
O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֞ה
O LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֞ה
O LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
1 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עֻזִּ֧י
my strength
H5797
עֻזִּ֧י
my strength
Strong's:
H5797
Word #:
2 of 20
strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)
וּמָעֻזִּ֛י
and my fortress
H4581
וּמָעֻזִּ֛י
and my fortress
Strong's:
H4581
Word #:
3 of 20
a fortified place; figuratively, a defense
וּמְנוּסִ֖י
and my refuge
H4498
וּמְנוּסִ֖י
and my refuge
Strong's:
H4498
Word #:
4 of 20
a retreat (literally or figuratively); abstractly, a fleeing
בְּי֣וֹם
in the day
H3117
בְּי֣וֹם
in the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
5 of 20
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
גּוֹיִ֤ם
the Gentiles
H1471
גּוֹיִ֤ם
the Gentiles
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
8 of 20
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
יָבֹ֙אוּ֙
shall come
H935
יָבֹ֙אוּ֙
shall come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
9 of 20
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
מֵֽאַפְסֵי
unto thee from the ends
H657
מֵֽאַפְסֵי
unto thee from the ends
Strong's:
H657
Word #:
10 of 20
cessation, i.e., an end (especially of the earth); often used adverb, no further; also the ankle (in the dual), as being the extremity of the leg or f
אַךְ
H389
נָחֲל֣וּ
have inherited
H5157
נָחֲל֣וּ
have inherited
Strong's:
H5157
Word #:
15 of 20
to inherit (as a (figurative) mode of descent), or (generally) to occupy; causatively, to bequeath, or (generally) distribute, instate
אֲבוֹתֵ֔ינוּ
Surely our fathers
H1
אֲבוֹתֵ֔ינוּ
Surely our fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
16 of 20
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
הֶ֖בֶל
vanity
H1892
הֶ֖בֶל
vanity
Strong's:
H1892
Word #:
17 of 20
emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb
וְאֵֽין
H369
Cross References
Isaiah 25:4For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.Nahum 1:7The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.Psalms 86:9All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.Jeremiah 17:17Be not a terror unto me: thou art my hope in the day of evil.Isaiah 44:10Who hath formed a god, or molten a graven image that is profitable for nothing?Isaiah 49:6And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.Zechariah 2:11And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.Malachi 1:11For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.
Historical Context
Prophesied at a time when Israel itself was plunging into idolatry. The idea that pagan nations would one day abandon their gods to worship Yahweh seemed impossible, yet God promises exactly this.
Questions for Reflection
- What modern 'lies' and 'vanities' do people inherit from their ancestors?
- How does this prophecy inform your understanding of missions and God's global purposes?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This verse envisions Gentile nations turning from idolatry to worship the true God - a remarkable prophecy of global gospel expansion. The threefold confession 'lies,' 'vanity,' and 'things wherein there is no profit' echoes Paul's language about the emptiness of idol worship (1 Cor 8:4). God's sovereignty extends to all nations; He will draw them to Himself through the proclamation of His truth.