Jeremiah 31:14
And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
וְרִוֵּיתִ֛י
And I will satiate
H7301
וְרִוֵּיתִ֛י
And I will satiate
Strong's:
H7301
Word #:
1 of 10
to slake the thirst (occasionally of other appetites)
נֶ֥פֶשׁ
the soul
H5315
נֶ֥פֶשׁ
the soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
2 of 10
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
הַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים
of the priests
H3548
הַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים
of the priests
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
3 of 10
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
דָּ֑שֶׁן
with fatness
H1880
דָּ֑שֶׁן
with fatness
Strong's:
H1880
Word #:
4 of 10
the fat; abstractly fatness, i.e., (figuratively) abundance; specifically the (fatty) ashes of sacrifices
וְעַמִּ֛י
and my people
H5971
וְעַמִּ֛י
and my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
5 of 10
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
6 of 10
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
טוּבִ֥י
with my goodness
H2898
טוּבִ֥י
with my goodness
Strong's:
H2898
Word #:
7 of 10
good (as a noun), in the widest sense, especially goodness (superlative concretely, the best), beauty, gladness, welfare
Cross References
Jeremiah 31:25For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.Jeremiah 33:9And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.Revelation 5:10And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.Psalms 107:9For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.Ephesians 3:19And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.1 Peter 2:9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:Song of Solomon 5:1I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.Isaiah 61:6But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.Isaiah 25:6And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.Psalms 65:4Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.
Historical Context
During the exile, the Levitical priesthood faced existential crisis. Without temple, land, or sacrificial system, their ordained function ceased. Jeremiah 33:17-22 promises the Levitical priesthood's continuation, which occurred when exiles rebuilt the temple (516 BC) and restored sacrifices. Yet this promise transcends historical return—it envisions the messianic age when God's people enjoy unmediated access to His presence. Hebrews 7-10 reveals Christ as the final High Priest whose sacrifice enables believers to enter God's presence and feast on His goodness eternally.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to be 'satisfied with God's goodness' rather than merely receiving His gifts?
- How does this promise to satisfy priests' souls (not just bodies) point to spiritual fulfillment beyond material blessing?
- In what ways do New Covenant believers, as 'a royal priesthood,' experience satiation with God's goodness through Christ?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the LORD. This promise addresses both spiritual leaders and the entire community, using imagery of abundant provision. I will satiate translates ravah (רָוָה), meaning to saturate, drench, or abundantly satisfy—used of land soaked with rain (Isaiah 34:7) or thirst fully quenched (Proverbs 5:19). The soul of the priests emphasizes inner satisfaction, not merely external abundance. With fatness (deshen, דֶּשֶׁן) refers to the richest parts of sacrifices that priests received (Leviticus 3:16-17), symbolizing choicest blessings.
Under the old covenant, priests depended entirely on offerings for sustenance (Numbers 18:8-20). In exile, with temple destroyed and sacrifices ceased, priests lost their provision. God promises restoration where priests will again receive abundant portions. Yet deeper meaning emerges: their souls—not just bodies—will be satisfied, suggesting spiritual fulfillment beyond material provision.
My people shall be satisfied with my goodness uses sava (שָׂבַע, filled to satisfaction) and tuv (טוּב, goodness, prosperity, welfare). This satisfaction comes from my goodness—God's own character and blessing, not merely His gifts. This points to Christ who satisfies spiritual hunger and thirst (John 6:35), and to the New Covenant where all believers are priests (1 Peter 2:9) who feast on God's abundant grace (Ephesians 1:3).