Jeremiah 33:24
Considerest thou not what this people have spoken, saying, The two families which the LORD hath chosen, he hath even cast them off? thus they have despised my people, that they should be no more a nation before them.
Original Language Analysis
הֲל֣וֹא
H3808
הֲל֣וֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
רָאִ֗יתָ
Considerest
H7200
רָאִ֗יתָ
Considerest
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
2 of 21
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
מָֽה
H4100
מָֽה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
3 of 21
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
עַמִּי֙
my people
H5971
עַמִּי֙
my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
4 of 21
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הַזֶּה֙
H2088
דִּבְּר֣וּ
have spoken
H1696
דִּבְּר֣וּ
have spoken
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
6 of 21
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
הַמִּשְׁפָּח֗וֹת
families
H4940
הַמִּשְׁפָּח֗וֹת
families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
9 of 21
a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֛ה
which the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
which the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
12 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַיִּמְאָסֵ֑ם
he hath even cast them off
H3988
וַיִּמְאָסֵ֑ם
he hath even cast them off
Strong's:
H3988
Word #:
14 of 21
to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עַמִּי֙
my people
H5971
עַמִּי֙
my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
16 of 21
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
יִנְאָצ֔וּן
thus they have despised
H5006
יִנְאָצ֔וּן
thus they have despised
Strong's:
H5006
Word #:
17 of 21
to scorn; or (in ecclesiastes 12:5), by interchange for h5132, to bloom
מִֽהְי֥וֹת
H1961
מִֽהְי֥וֹת
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
18 of 21
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
ע֖וֹד
H5750
ע֖וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
19 of 21
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
Historical Context
The dual exile (Assyrian and Babylonian) made Israel's enemies conclude God had permanently abandoned His people. This taunting reflects ancient Near Eastern theology where conquered people's gods were deemed impotent. Ezekiel addressed identical skepticism (37:11, 'Our bones are dried, our hope is lost'). The objection: election doesn't survive disobedience; covenant has limits.
Questions for Reflection
- When have circumstances made God's promises seem nullified, leading to doubts about His faithfulness?
- How do external voices ('this people') versus internal covenant identity ('My people') shape our theology of election?
- What's the difference between questioning God's methods (legitimate) and denying His character (apostasy)?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Considerest thou not what this people have spoken? (הֲלוֹא רָאִיתָ מָה־הָעָם הַזֶּה דִּבְּרוּ לֵאמֹר)—God quotes the skeptics' objection. Ra'itah (have you seen/noticed) uses visual perception for spiritual discernment—'Do you see what they're saying?' This people (ha'am hazeh) creates slight distance, marking their speech as contrary to covenant faith.
The two families which the LORD hath chosen, He hath even cast them off (שְׁתֵּי הַמִּשְׁפָּחוֹת אֲשֶׁר בָּחַר יְהוָה בָּהֶם וַיִּמְאָסֵם)—the 'two families' likely refers to Israel (northern kingdom, already exiled by Assyria in 722 BC) and Judah (southern kingdom, now falling to Babylon). The verb ma'as (מָאַס, reject/despise) appears in covenant-breaking contexts (Leviticus 26:44, 1 Samuel 15:23, 26). Thus they have despised My people (וְאֶת־עַמִּי יִנְאָצוּן)—mockery denies Israel's continued status as ammi (My people), God's covenant designation (Exodus 3:7, Hosea 2:23).