Jeremiah 30:24
The fierce anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have done it, and until he have performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it.
Original Language Analysis
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָשׁ֗וּב
shall not return
H7725
יָשׁ֗וּב
shall not return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
2 of 15
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
אַף
anger
H639
אַף
anger
Strong's:
H639
Word #:
4 of 15
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
6 of 15
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
עֲשֹׂת֥וֹ
until he have done
H6213
עֲשֹׂת֥וֹ
until he have done
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
7 of 15
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
וְעַד
H5704
וְעַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
8 of 15
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
הֲקִימ֖וֹ
it and until he have performed
H6965
הֲקִימ֖וֹ
it and until he have performed
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
9 of 15
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
מְזִמּ֣וֹת
the intents
H4209
מְזִמּ֣וֹת
the intents
Strong's:
H4209
Word #:
10 of 15
a plan, usually evil (machination), sometimes good (sagacity)
לִבּ֑וֹ
of his heart
H3820
לִבּ֑וֹ
of his heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
11 of 15
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
בְּאַחֲרִ֥ית
in the latter
H319
בְּאַחֲרִ֥ית
in the latter
Strong's:
H319
Word #:
12 of 15
the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity
הַיָּמִ֖ים
days
H3117
הַיָּמִ֖ים
days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
13 of 15
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
Cross References
Jeremiah 23:20The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly.Hosea 3:5Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.Micah 4:1But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.Jeremiah 4:28For this shall the earth mourn, and the heavens above be black: because I have spoken it, I have purposed it, and will not repent, neither will I turn back from it.Ezekiel 38:16And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.Daniel 10:14Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.Daniel 2:28But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;
Historical Context
The phrase 'latter days' (acharit hayamim) appears throughout prophetic literature (Isaiah 2:2, Daniel 10:14) to mark the Messianic age. Jeremiah's contemporaries in Babylonian exile would 'consider' (understand, Hebrew בִּין) God's plan only with hindsight—Jesus and the apostles declare these 'latter days' have arrived (Acts 2:17, Hebrews 1:2).
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding God's wrath as purposeful rather than reactive change your view of His justice?
- What 'intents of His heart' has God revealed through Christ that Jeremiah's audience couldn't yet see?
- Why does Scripture repeatedly emphasize that we will 'understand' or 'consider' God's purposes only in retrospect?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The fierce anger of the LORD shall not return (לֹא יָשׁוּב חֲרוֹן אַף־יְהוָה)—God's charon aph (burning anger) continues until He have done it (עַד עֲשֹׂתוֹ). Divine wrath is teleological—it accomplishes specific redemptive purposes, not arbitrary punishment. The verb shub (return) plays on the chapter's restoration theme: God's anger won't 'return' (cease) until He brings His people's 'return' (restoration) to pass.
The intents of His heart (מְזִמּוֹת לִבּוֹ, mezimot libbo) means God's deliberate purposes, His planned designs. In the latter days (בְּאַחֲרִית הַיָּמִים) is an eschatological marker pointing beyond immediate history to Messianic fulfillment. Paul echoes this concept—God's wrath reveals His righteousness (Romans 3:25-26), His 'intents' to justify through faith.