Jeremiah 23:20

Authorized King James Version

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The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly.

Original Language Analysis

לֹ֤א H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 1 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָשׁוּב֙ shall not return H7725
יָשׁוּב֙ shall not return
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 2 of 15
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
אַף The anger H639
אַף The anger
Strong's: H639
Word #: 3 of 15
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
יְהוָ֔ה of the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֔ה of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 4 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עַד H5704
עַד
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 5 of 15
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
עֲשֹׂת֥וֹ until he have executed H6213
עֲשֹׂת֥וֹ until he have executed
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 6 of 15
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
וְעַד H5704
וְעַד
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 7 of 15
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
הֲקִימ֖וֹ and till he have performed H6965
הֲקִימ֖וֹ and till he have performed
Strong's: H6965
Word #: 8 of 15
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
מְזִמּ֣וֹת the thoughts H4209
מְזִמּ֣וֹת the thoughts
Strong's: H4209
Word #: 9 of 15
a plan, usually evil (machination), sometimes good (sagacity)
לִבּ֑וֹ of his heart H3820
לִבּ֑וֹ of his heart
Strong's: H3820
Word #: 10 of 15
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
בְּאַֽחֲרִית֙ in the latter H319
בְּאַֽחֲרִית֙ in the latter
Strong's: H319
Word #: 11 of 15
the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity
הַיָּמִ֔ים days H3117
הַיָּמִ֔ים days
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 12 of 15
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
תִּתְבּ֥וֹנְנוּ ye shall consider H995
תִּתְבּ֥וֹנְנוּ ye shall consider
Strong's: H995
Word #: 13 of 15
to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e., (generally) understand
בָ֖הּ H0
בָ֖הּ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 14 of 15
בִּינָֽה׃ it perfectly H998
בִּינָֽה׃ it perfectly
Strong's: H998
Word #: 15 of 15
understanding

Analysis & Commentary

The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed...the thoughts of his heart (לֹא יָשׁוּב אַף־יְהוָה עַד־עֲשֹׂתוֹ, lo yashuv af-YHWH ad-asoto)—divine anger won't reverse until completing its purpose. The phrase מְזִמּוֹת לִבּוֹ (m'zimmot libbo, 'thoughts/plans of his heart') shows intentional judgment, not emotional reaction. In the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly—retrospectively, the exiles would understand God's justice.

The verb בִּין (bin, 'understand') appears doubled for emphasis—'understand with understanding.' Hindsight vindicates divine judgment as purposeful. Daniel later studied Jeremiah's 70-year prophecy and understood (Daniel 9:2). Time proves God's word reliable and human resistance futile.

Historical Context

Written before 586 BC, this prophecy was vindicated when Babylon destroyed Jerusalem. Exiles eventually understood that Jeremiah spoke truth while false prophets lied. The 'latter days' perspective demonstrates how divine purposes unfold across generations.

Questions for Reflection

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