Jeremiah 23:7
Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
Original Language Analysis
לָכֵ֛ן
H3651
לָכֵ֛ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 18
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
יָמִ֥ים
Therefore behold the days
H3117
יָמִ֥ים
Therefore behold the days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
3 of 18
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
יְהוָ֔ה
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְלֹא
H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יֹ֤אמְרוּ
that they shall no more say
H559
יֹ֤אמְרוּ
that they shall no more say
Strong's:
H559
Word #:
8 of 18
to say (used with great latitude)
עוֹד֙
H5750
עוֹד֙
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
9 of 18
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
חַי
liveth
H2416
חַי
liveth
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
10 of 18
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
יְהוָ֔ה
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
11 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הֶעֱלָ֛ה
which brought up
H5927
הֶעֱלָ֛ה
which brought up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
13 of 18
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּנֵ֥י
the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֥י
the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
15 of 18
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
16 of 18
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Historical Context
The Exodus was commemorated annually in Passover and referenced constantly in Israel's worship and teaching. To suggest any event could surpass it was revolutionary. Yet the New Testament explicitly identifies Jesus as the Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7), His death as the new exodus (Luke 9:31, literally 'exodus' in Greek), and believers as those who have been delivered from a greater bondage than Egypt—the bondage to sin and death (Romans 6:17-18).
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding Christ's work as a greater exodus than the Exodus reshape our understanding of salvation?
- What does it mean that the deliverance through Christ is so significant it eclipses even the Exodus in God's redemptive plan?
- In what ways should we, like Israel, regularly commemorate and teach the next generation about God's great deliverance?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jeremiah prophesies that a future deliverance will be so significant it will eclipse even the Exodus in Israel's national memory and worship. The Exodus was the foundational event of Israel's identity—it demonstrated God's power, established His covenant relationship with them, and became the paradigm for understanding salvation. Yet Jeremiah announces a coming deliverance that will supersede it as the defining moment of God's redemptive work.
This prophecy operates on multiple levels. Immediately, it referred to the return from Babylonian exile—Jews would be gathered from where they had been scattered and return to their land. Yet this return was disappointing; the second temple was inferior to Solomon's, most Jews remained in dispersion, and Israel remained under foreign domination (Persia, Greece, Rome). The prophecy therefore points beyond the historical return to the greater exodus accomplished by Christ.
The New Testament presents Jesus as the new Moses who leads a new exodus. His death and resurrection deliver God's people not from Egyptian slavery but from sin's slavery. His ascension and sending of the Spirit inaugurate the gathering of God's people from all nations. The ultimate fulfillment awaits the eschaton when Christ returns to gather His elect from the four winds (Matthew 24:31) and establish the new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells.