Jeremiah 32:38
And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:
Original Language Analysis
וְהָ֥יוּ
H1961
וְהָ֥יוּ
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 they shall be my people
H5971
לְעָ֑ם
And they 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
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.Revelation 21:7He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.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:Psalms 144:15Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.Ezekiel 37:27My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.Jeremiah 30:22And 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.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 31:33But 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.
Historical Context
The covenant relationship was established at Sinai when God chose Israel as His people (Deuteronomy 7:6). Despite Israel's unfaithfulness, God remained committed to this relationship, disciplining them to restore them rather than abandoning them. The exile seemed to end the relationship, but God promised its restoration. In Christ, this covenant relationship extends to all who believe, both Jew and Gentile, forming one new humanity in Him (Ephesians 2:14-16).
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean practically that we are God's people and He is our God—how should this shape our identity and priorities?
- How is this covenant relationship different from mere religion or rule-keeping?
- In what ways does the new covenant guarantee this relationship will never be broken as the old covenant was?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This is the covenant formula appearing throughout Scripture—'they shall be my people, and I will be their God' (Exodus 6:7; Leviticus 26:12; Ezekiel 37:27; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Revelation 21:3). It expresses mutual belonging and relationship: God possesses them as His special people, and they possess Him as their covenant God. This relationship is the essence of salvation—not merely forgiveness of sins or escape from hell, but restored relationship with the living God.
The covenant formula appears in contexts of both judgment and restoration. Before exile, God threatened to reverse it: 'you are not my people, and I am not your God' (Hosea 1:9). Yet He promised to restore it (Hosea 2:23). The new covenant guarantees this relationship will never again be broken because God Himself writes His law on hearts (31:33) and enables faithfulness. The relationship is secured not by human performance but by divine transformation.
For Christians, this covenant formula is fulfilled in Christ. Through Him, we become God's people—adopted into His family, indwelt by His Spirit, marked as His possession. And He becomes our God—our Father, our Shepherd, our King, our ultimate treasure and joy. This relationship begins at conversion and continues eternally. Nothing can separate us from God in Christ (Romans 8:38-39).