Jeremiah Chapter 23 · Verse 8

Authorized King James Version

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But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.

Original Language Analysis

כִּ֣י H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אִם H518
אִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 2 of 22
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
חַי liveth H2416
חַי liveth
Strong's: H2416
Word #: 3 of 22
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
יְהוָ֗ה But The LORD H3068
יְהוָ֗ה But The LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 4 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 5 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הֶעֱלָה֩ which brought up H5927
הֶעֱלָה֩ which brought up
Strong's: H5927
Word #: 6 of 22
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
וַאֲשֶׁ֨ר H834
וַאֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 7 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הֵבִ֜יא and which led H935
הֵבִ֜יא and which led
Strong's: H935
Word #: 8 of 22
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 9 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
זֶ֨רַע the seed H2233
זֶ֨רַע the seed
Strong's: H2233
Word #: 10 of 22
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
בֵּ֤ית of the house H1004
בֵּ֤ית of the house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 11 of 22
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 12 of 22
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
הָֽאֲרָצ֔וֹת and from all countries H776
הָֽאֲרָצ֔וֹת and from all countries
Strong's: H776
Word #: 13 of 22
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
צָפ֔וֹנָה out of the north H6828
צָפ֔וֹנָה out of the north
Strong's: H6828
Word #: 14 of 22
properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)
וּמִכֹּל֙ H3605
וּמִכֹּל֙
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 15 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָֽאֲרָצ֔וֹת and from all countries H776
הָֽאֲרָצ֔וֹת and from all countries
Strong's: H776
Word #: 16 of 22
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 17 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הִדַּחְתִּ֖ים whither I had driven H5080
הִדַּחְתִּ֖ים whither I had driven
Strong's: H5080
Word #: 18 of 22
to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.)
שָׁ֑ם H8033
שָׁ֑ם
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 19 of 22
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
וְיָשְׁב֖וּ them and they shall dwell H3427
וְיָשְׁב֖וּ them and they shall dwell
Strong's: H3427
Word #: 20 of 22
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 21 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אַדְמָתָֽם׃ in their own land H127
אַדְמָתָֽם׃ in their own land
Strong's: H127
Word #: 22 of 22
soil (from its general redness)

Analysis & Commentary

This verse completes the thought from verse 7, specifying what the new oath formula will be. Instead of swearing 'As the LORD liveth that brought up Israel from Egypt,' God's people will swear 'As the LORD liveth who brought up the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them.' The 'north country' refers primarily to Babylon but symbolically represents all places of exile and dispersion.

The phrase 'seed of the house of Israel' is significant. It emphasizes continuity—this is still Abraham's seed, still the covenant people—but also transformation. The people brought back will not merely be ethnic descendants but a remnant purified through judgment. This points to Paul's argument in Romans 9:6-8 that 'they are not all Israel, which are of Israel,' and only the children of promise are counted for the seed. The true seed is ultimately Christ (Galatians 3:16), and those in Christ become Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise.

The final phrase, 'and they shall dwell in their own land,' promises restoration not just to a geographical location but to covenant relationship with God. In Christ, believers inherit 'a better country, that is, an heavenly' (Hebrews 11:16). The new Jerusalem descends from heaven (Revelation 21:2), and God dwells with His people eternally. The land promise finds its ultimate fulfillment not in reclaiming Palestine but in inheriting the new creation.

Historical Context

Jews did return from Babylon in 538 BC and later waves, but the return was partial and disappointing. The greater fulfillment began at Pentecost when the gospel went forth and Jews from 'every nation under heaven' (Acts 2:5) heard the message and believed. The church became the renewed Israel, gathered from all nations through the gospel. This gathering continues until Christ returns to complete the work, bringing all His elect home to the Father.

Questions for Reflection