Jeremiah 32:39
And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:
Original Language Analysis
וְנָתַתִּ֨י
And I will give
H5414
וְנָתַתִּ֨י
And I will give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 14
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לֵ֤ב
heart
H3820
לֵ֤ב
heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
3 of 14
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
וְדֶ֣רֶךְ
way
H1870
וְדֶ֣רֶךְ
way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
5 of 14
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
לְיִרְאָ֥ה
that they may fear
H3372
לְיִרְאָ֥ה
that they may fear
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
7 of 14
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
אוֹתִ֖י
H853
אוֹתִ֖י
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
9 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַיָּמִ֑ים
me for ever
H3117
הַיָּמִ֑ים
me for ever
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
10 of 14
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
לְט֣וֹב
for the good
H2896
לְט֣וֹב
for the good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
11 of 14
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
Cross References
Acts 4:32And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.John 17:21That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.Ezekiel 37:25And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever.Ezekiel 36:26A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.Hebrews 10:20By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;Proverbs 23:17Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.Jeremiah 32:40And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.John 14:6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.2 Chronicles 30:12Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes, by the word of the LORD.Isaiah 35:8And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.
Historical Context
Israel's history demonstrated the need for heart transformation. Despite witnessing God's mighty acts (Exodus, Sinai, conquest of Canaan), they repeatedly turned to idols. Cycles of apostasy, judgment, repentance, and deliverance characterized the judges period. Even after the exile cured them of idolatry, they fell into legalism and self-righteousness (as Jesus confronted in the Pharisees). Only God's Spirit transforming hearts could produce lasting faithfulness.
Questions for Reflection
- What is the difference between trying to obey God with an unchanged heart versus having a transformed heart that desires to obey?
- How does God give us 'one heart' that is unified in devotion rather than divided in loyalties?
- What does it mean that God's commands are for our good—how does this change our attitude toward obedience?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God promises internal transformation: 'I will give them one heart, and one way.' The divided, double-minded heart that served both God and idols will be replaced with a unified heart devoted solely to God. 'One way' means a consistent path of obedience rather than vacillating between faithfulness and rebellion. This is God's work—'I will give'—not human achievement. The purpose: 'that they may fear me for ever,' maintaining perpetual reverence and obedience.
This promise connects directly to the new covenant (31:33): God will write His law on hearts, transforming desire and enabling obedience. The problem with the old covenant was not God's law but human hearts—rebellious, hard, incapable of sustained obedience. The solution is heart transplant: removing the heart of stone and giving a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26). This is regeneration, the new birth Jesus described to Nicodemus (John 3:3-8).
The phrase 'for their good, and of their children after them' shows that God's purpose in giving a new heart is the people's welfare. God's commands are not arbitrary restrictions but pathways to human flourishing. When our hearts are aligned with God's will, we experience the good life He designed for us. This benefits not only the current generation but their children—godly parents tend to raise godly children, though individual faith remains necessary (John 1:12-13).