Jeremiah 33:22
As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David my servant, and the Levites that minister unto me.
Original Language Analysis
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
1 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
2 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִסָּפֵר֙
cannot be numbered
H5608
יִסָּפֵר֙
cannot be numbered
Strong's:
H5608
Word #:
3 of 19
properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra
צְבָ֣א
As the host
H6635
צְבָ֣א
As the host
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
4 of 19
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם
of heaven
H8064
הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם
of heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
5 of 19
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִמַּ֖ד
measured
H4058
יִמַּ֖ד
measured
Strong's:
H4058
Word #:
7 of 19
properly, to stretch; by implication, to measure (as if by stretching a line); figuratively, to be extended
הַיָּ֑ם
of the sea
H3220
הַיָּ֑ם
of the sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
9 of 19
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
כֵּ֣ן
H3651
כֵּ֣ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
10 of 19
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
זֶ֙רַע֙
the seed
H2233
זֶ֙רַע֙
the seed
Strong's:
H2233
Word #:
13 of 19
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Genesis 22:17That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;Hebrews 11:12Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.Genesis 15:5And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.Isaiah 66:21And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the LORD.Jeremiah 31:37Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.
Historical Context
At the prophecy's delivery, both seed-lines faced apparent extinction. The Davidic line was ending in exile and judgment, with Jeconiah's curse (Jeremiah 22:30) seemingly preventing any descendant from prospering on David's throne. The Levitical priesthood faced interruption through temple destruction and the exile of priests to Babylon.
Yet God promises not mere survival but astronomical multiplication. The fulfillment pattern is stunning:
- Biological—Jesus descended from David through both Mary and Joseph
- Spiritual—countless believers grafted into Christ comprise the true Davidic seed (Romans 11:17-24)
- Ministerial—the church's global priesthood numbers in the billions across history, dwarfing the original Levitical order.
The promise's cosmic scope reveals God's plan was always global salvation through the Davidic-Messianic king.
Questions for Reflection
- How does seeing yourself as part of the 'seed of Abraham' through faith in Christ expand your understanding of God's covenant faithfulness?
- In what ways does the promise of innumerable spiritual descendants encourage you in evangelism and discipleship?
- How does God's track record of exceeding His promises strengthen your faith for current prayer requests?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David my servant, and the Levites that minister unto me. This verse employs the classic Abrahamic covenant imagery from Genesis 22:17, where God promised Abraham: "I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore." The deliberate echo connects the Davidic and Abrahamic covenants, showing their essential unity in God's redemptive plan.
The impossibility of numbering the stars (tseva hashamayim, "host of heaven") or measuring the sea's sand expresses immeasurable multiplication. Applied to David's seed, this transcends mere biological descendants to encompass all who belong to Christ, the ultimate Davidic heir. Similarly, the multiplication of Levitical ministers finds fulfillment in the New Testament priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 1:6).
Theologically, this verse teaches:
Paul explicitly connects these themes in Galatians 3:16, 29, showing that all believers are Abraham's seed through union with Christ.