Jeremiah 30:22
And ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
Original Language Analysis
וִהְיִ֥יתֶם
H1961
וִהְיִ֥יתֶם
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 7
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְעָ֑ם
And ye shall be my people
H5971
לְעָ֑ם
And ye shall be my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
3 of 7
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
Cross References
Revelation 21:3And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.Jeremiah 24:7And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.Jeremiah 31:33But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.Zechariah 13:9And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.Ezekiel 36:28And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.Jeremiah 31:1At the same time, saith the LORD, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people.Ezekiel 37:27My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.Hosea 2:23And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.Hebrews 8:10For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:Jeremiah 32:38And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:
Historical Context
The covenant formula was established at Sinai (Exodus 6:7; Leviticus 26:12) and reaffirmed in the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7:24). Despite Israel's unfaithfulness breaking the relationship, God promised to restore it through the new covenant. When exiles returned from Babylon, covenant relationship was renewed. But the ultimate fulfillment came in Christ, through whom both Jews and Gentiles become God's people, and He becomes their God forever.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean practically that we are God's people and He is our God—how should this shape daily living?
- Why is relationship with God the essence of salvation—more important than other blessings?
- How does the covenant formula fulfilled in Christ assure us that this relationship will never be broken?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse contains the covenant formula appearing throughout Jeremiah: 'Ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.' It appears in contexts of both judgment (threatened reversal) and restoration (promised renewal). Here it concludes promises of healing and restoration (vv. 12-21), assuring that covenant relationship will be fully restored. This relationship—mutual belonging between God and His people—is the essence of salvation. Not merely forgiveness or deliverance but reconciled relationship with the living God.
The simplicity of this formula belies its profound significance. To be God's people means we are His special possession, His treasured inheritance, the object of His covenant love. To have Him as our God means we possess Him as our ultimate treasure, our highest good, our eternal joy. This reciprocal belonging is more valuable than any other blessing—better than health, prosperity, or earthly comfort. David declared, 'Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee' (Psalm 73:25).
This covenant relationship is secured in Christ. Through Him, we are adopted as God's children (Romans 8:15), indwelt by His Spirit (Romans 8:9), and sealed as His possession (Ephesians 1:13-14). He becomes our God—not distant or impersonal but Abba, Father. We become His people—not through ethnic descent but through faith in Christ (Galatians 3:26-29). This relationship begins at conversion and continues eternally (Revelation 21:3).