Jeremiah 32:42
For thus saith the LORD; Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them.
Original Language Analysis
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 25
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כֹה֙
H3541
כֹה֙
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
2 of 25
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
מֵבִ֤יא
Like as I have brought
H935
מֵבִ֤יא
Like as I have brought
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
6 of 25
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
הָעָ֣ם
upon this people
H5971
הָעָ֣ם
upon this people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
8 of 25
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הַזֶּ֔ה
H2088
אֵ֛ת
H853
אֵ֛ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 25
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 #:
11 of 25
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַגְּדוֹלָ֖ה
all this great
H1419
הַגְּדוֹלָ֖ה
all this great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
13 of 25
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
כֵּ֣ן
H3651
כֵּ֣ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
15 of 25
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
מֵבִ֤יא
Like as I have brought
H935
מֵבִ֤יא
Like as I have brought
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
17 of 25
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
עֲלֵיהֶם֙
H5921
עֲלֵיהֶם֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
18 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 25
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 #:
20 of 25
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַטּוֹבָ֔ה
upon them all the good
H2896
הַטּוֹבָ֔ה
upon them all the good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
21 of 25
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
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
22 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Jeremiah 31:28And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the LORD.Matthew 24:35Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Historical Context
Spoken in 587 BC during Jerusalem's final siege, with Jeremiah imprisoned (vv. 2-3), this promise seemed absurd—yet God commanded him to buy land in Anathoth as prophetic sign-act. The field deed (vv. 9-15) testified to future restoration when buying property appeared financially insane, demonstrating faith's 'substance of things hoped for' (Hebrews 11:1).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's equal power over disaster and deliverance challenge the view that He controls only 'good' events?
- What symbolic actions might God call you to perform that testify to His promises despite contrary circumstances?
- How does this verse's logic—'As surely as judgment came, so restoration will come'—strengthen your confidence in unfulfilled promises?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people (כַּאֲשֶׁר הֵבֵאתִי אֶל־הָעָם הַזֶּה אֵת כָּל־הָרָעָה הַגְּדוֹלָה הַזֹּאת)—God's parallel sovereignty over calamity and restoration. The Hebrew ra'ah gedolah (great evil) refers not to moral evil but catastrophic judgment—the Babylonian conquest and exile. Divine agency is explicit: 'I have brought' (הֵבֵאתִי, he'veti), no passive voice or secondary causation.
So will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them (כֵּן אָנֹכִי מֵבִיא עֲלֵיהֶם אֶת־כָּל־הַטּוֹבָה אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי דֹּבֵר עֲלֵיהֶם)—the same verb bo (bring) governs both judgment and salvation. The emphatic anokhi (I Myself) stresses divine personal commitment. God's faithfulness to His threats guarantees His faithfulness to His promises—the same covenant character produces both. This verse answers Jeremiah's doubt (v. 25) after his symbolic field purchase.