Jeremiah 23:6
In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Original Language Analysis
בְּיָמָיו֙
In his days
H3117
בְּיָמָיו֙
In his days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
1 of 12
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
תִּוָּשַׁ֣ע
shall be saved
H3467
תִּוָּשַׁ֣ע
shall be saved
Strong's:
H3467
Word #:
2 of 12
properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor
יְהוּדָ֔ה
Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֔ה
Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
3 of 12
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
and Israel
H3478
וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
and Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
4 of 12
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
יִשְׁכֹּ֣ן
shall dwell
H7931
יִשְׁכֹּ֣ן
shall dwell
Strong's:
H7931
Word #:
5 of 12
to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)
לָבֶ֑טַח
safely
H983
לָבֶ֑טַח
safely
Strong's:
H983
Word #:
6 of 12
properly, a place of refuge; abstract, safety, both the fact (security) and the feeling (trust); often (adverb with or without preposition) safely
שְּׁמ֥וֹ
and this is his name
H8034
שְּׁמ֥וֹ
and this is his name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
8 of 12
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
אֲֽשֶׁר
H834
אֲֽשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
9 of 12
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִקְרְא֖וֹ
whereby he shall be called
H7121
יִקְרְא֖וֹ
whereby he shall be called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
10 of 12
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
Cross References
1 Corinthians 1:30But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:Jeremiah 33:16In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness.Philippians 3:9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:Romans 3:22Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:Isaiah 7:14Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.Isaiah 9:6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.2 Corinthians 5:21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.Jeremiah 30:10Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid.Jeremiah 32:37Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely:Daniel 9:24Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
Historical Context
The name 'THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS' directly contrasts with the last king of Judah, whose name was Zedekiah—meaning 'Yahweh is righteousness.' Zedekiah bore God's name but betrayed it through his unfaithfulness. The true King would not merely bear the name but embody it perfectly. This prophecy sustained Jewish hope through the exile and the intertestamental period, creating expectation for Messiah that Jesus fulfilled.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding Christ as 'THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS' free us from trying to establish our own righteousness?
- What does it mean practically that we 'dwell safely' in Christ—what fears and insecurities does this address?
- How does this prophecy demonstrate that salvation has always been through faith in God's promised Messiah, not through law-keeping?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This verse reveals the purpose and effects of the Righteous Branch's reign. First, 'Judah shall be saved'—the Hebrew yiwasha (יִוָּשֵׁעַ) means delivered, rescued, or saved, the same root from which 'Jesus' (Yeshua) derives. This is more than political deliverance; it is comprehensive salvation from sin, judgment, and alienation from God. Second, 'Israel shall dwell safely'—not merely physical security but the covenant blessing of dwelling in God's presence without fear.
The name given to this King is theologically explosive: 'THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS' (YHWH Tsidqenu, יְהוָה צִדְקֵנוּ). This divine name applied to the Davidic king reveals His deity. No mere human could bear Yahweh's covenant name. This king will not merely be righteous Himself; He will be righteousness for His people. This points directly to the gospel truth that Christ's righteousness is imputed to believers—'He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him' (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Reformed theology emphasizes that salvation is 'in Christ' alone—His righteousness becomes ours through faith. We are not saved by our own righteousness (which is as filthy rags) but by Christ's perfect righteousness credited to our account. This is the doctrine of justification by faith, the heart of the gospel, prophesied here six centuries before Christ's incarnation.