Jeremiah 30:20
Their children also shall be as aforetime, and their congregation shall be established before me, and I will punish all that oppress them.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָי֤וּ
H1961
וְהָי֤וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 10
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בָנָיו֙
Their children
H1121
בָנָיו֙
Their children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 10
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
כְּקֶ֔דֶם
also shall be as aforetime
H6924
כְּקֶ֔דֶם
also shall be as aforetime
Strong's:
H6924
Word #:
3 of 10
the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)
וַעֲדָת֖וֹ
and their congregation
H5712
וַעֲדָת֖וֹ
and their congregation
Strong's:
H5712
Word #:
4 of 10
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
לְפָנַ֣י
before
H6440
לְפָנַ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
5 of 10
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
תִּכּ֑וֹן
shall be established
H3559
תִּכּ֑וֹן
shall be established
Strong's:
H3559
Word #:
6 of 10
properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
וּפָ֣קַדְתִּ֔י
me and I will punish
H6485
וּפָ֣קַדְתִּ֔י
me and I will punish
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
7 of 10
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
עַ֖ל
H5921
עַ֖ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 10
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Jeremiah 32:39And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:Isaiah 51:22Thus saith thy Lord the LORD, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again:Isaiah 49:26And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.Psalms 102:18This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.Psalms 102:28The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.Jeremiah 2:3Israel was holiness unto the LORD, and the firstfruits of his increase: all that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, saith the LORD.Jeremiah 30:16Therefore all they that devour thee shall be devoured; and all thine adversaries, every one of them, shall go into captivity; and they that spoil thee shall be a spoil, and all that prey upon thee will I give for a prey.
Historical Context
Each generation after exile faced the challenge of maintaining covenant faithfulness. The promise sustained hope that God would preserve a faithful remnant through every trial.
Questions for Reflection
- How are you investing in the next generation's spiritual formation and stability?
- What does it mean for God's people to be 'established before Him' in worship and life?
- How does God's promise to punish oppressors encourage believers facing persecution today?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Their children also shall be as aforetime (וְהָיוּ בָנָיו כְּקֶדֶם, 've-hayu vanav ke-kedem')—covenant continuity across generations. The phrase 'as aforetime' (כְּקֶדֶם, 'ke-kedem', as in ancient times) looks back to pre-exile faithfulness or even further to patriarchal blessing.
Their congregation shall be established before me (עֲדָתוֹ לְפָנַי תִּכּוֹן, 'adato lefanai tikon')—the assembly (עֵדָה, 'edah') stands firm (כּוּן, 'kun', established/made steadfast) in God's presence. The promise to punish all that oppress them (פָּקַדְתִּי עַל כָּל לֹחֲצָיו, 'pakadti al kol lochatsav') guarantees protection. This points to the church established on resurrection ground, eternally secure.