Jeremiah 30:21
And their nobles shall be of themselves, and their governor shall proceed from the midst of them; and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me: for who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָ֨ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֨ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 20
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
אַדִּיר֜וֹ
And their nobles
H117
אַדִּיר֜וֹ
And their nobles
Strong's:
H117
Word #:
2 of 20
wide or (generally) large; figuratively, powerful
מִמֶּ֗נּוּ
H4480
מִמֶּ֗נּוּ
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
3 of 20
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
מִקִּרְבּ֣וֹ
from the midst
H7130
מִקִּרְבּ֣וֹ
from the midst
Strong's:
H7130
Word #:
5 of 20
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
יֵצֵ֔א
shall proceed
H3318
יֵצֵ֔א
shall proceed
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
6 of 20
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
וְהִקְרַבְתִּ֖יו
of them and I will cause him to draw near
H7126
וְהִקְרַבְתִּ֖יו
of them and I will cause him to draw near
Strong's:
H7126
Word #:
7 of 20
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
לָגֶ֥שֶׁת
and he shall approach
H5066
לָגֶ֥שֶׁת
and he shall approach
Strong's:
H5066
Word #:
8 of 20
to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati
כִּי֩
H3588
כִּי֩
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
10 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מִ֨י
H4310
מִ֨י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
11 of 20
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
הוּא
H1931
הוּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
12 of 20
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
עָרַ֧ב
unto me for who is this that engaged
H6148
עָרַ֧ב
unto me for who is this that engaged
Strong's:
H6148
Word #:
14 of 20
to braid, i.e., intermix; technically, to traffic (as if by barter); also or give to be security (as a kind of exchange)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לִבּ֛וֹ
his heart
H3820
לִבּ֛וֹ
his heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
16 of 20
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
Cross References
Numbers 16:5And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.Acts 5:31Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.Ezekiel 37:24And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them.1 John 2:2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world.Deuteronomy 18:18I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.Deuteronomy 33:5And he was king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people and the tribes of Israel were gathered together.2 Samuel 7:13He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.Revelation 19:16And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.Jeremiah 50:44Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan unto the habitation of the strong: but I will make them suddenly run away from her: and who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me?Jeremiah 30:9But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.
Historical Context
No Davidic king sat on Jerusalem's throne after 586 BC until Christ. This prophecy's full meaning remained hidden until Jesus, the ultimate 'noble from themselves,' bridged the gap between God and humanity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ fulfill this prophecy as both King from David's line and High Priest?
- What does it mean that Jesus 'engaged His heart' to approach God on your behalf?
- How should Christ's mediatorial role shape your boldness in approaching God's throne (Heb 4:16)?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Their nobles shall be of themselves (וְהָיָה אַדִּירוֹ מִמֶּנּוּ, 've-hayah adiro mimenu')—the ruler (אַדִּיר, 'adir', mighty one/noble) comes from among the people, not foreign oppressors. Their governor shall proceed from the midst of them (וּמֹשְׁלוֹ מִקִּרְבּוֹ יֵצֵא, 'umoshlo mikirbo yetse') echoes Moses' prophecy of the Prophet-King (Deut 18:15, 18).
The shocking access: I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me (וְהִקְרַבְתִּיו וְנִגַּשׁ אֵלַי, 've-hikravtiv ve-nigash elai')—priestly language for entering God's presence. Who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? (מִי הוּא זֶה עָרַב אֶת לִבּוֹ לָגֶשֶׁת אֵלַי, 'mi hu zeh arav et libo lageshet elai')—who dares pledge himself as surety to enter the Holy Presence? Only Christ, our Priest-King from Judah's line, mediates access to God (Heb 7:22-25).