Jeremiah 33:26
Then will I cast away the seed of Jacob, and David my servant, so that I will not take any of his seed to be rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: for I will cause their captivity to return, and have mercy on them.
Original Language Analysis
גַּם
Then
H1571
גַּם
Then
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
1 of 19
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
זֶ֥רַע
any of his seed
H2233
זֶ֥רַע
any of his seed
Strong's:
H2233
Word #:
2 of 19
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
אֶמְאַ֗ס
will I cast away
H3988
אֶמְאַ֗ס
will I cast away
Strong's:
H3988
Word #:
6 of 19
to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear
מִקַּ֤חַת
so that I will not take
H3947
מִקַּ֤חַת
so that I will not take
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
7 of 19
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
זֶ֥רַע
any of his seed
H2233
זֶ֥רַע
any of his seed
Strong's:
H2233
Word #:
8 of 19
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
זֶ֥רַע
any of his seed
H2233
זֶ֥רַע
any of his seed
Strong's:
H2233
Word #:
11 of 19
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
15 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אָשִׁ֥וב
to return
H7725
אָשִׁ֥וב
to return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
16 of 19
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
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.Isaiah 14:1For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob.Hosea 2:23And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.Isaiah 54:8In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.Jeremiah 31:20Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD.Ezekiel 39:25Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name;Hosea 1:7But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the LORD their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen.Romans 11:32For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.Genesis 49:10The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
Historical Context
Written when Judah's monarchy was collapsing (587 BC), this seemed delusional—yet post-exilic hopes centered on Zerubbabel (Davidic descendant, Haggai 2:23) and awaited the Messiah. Romans 11:26-29 cites Jeremiah's new covenant (31:31-34) alongside Isaiah to prove God hasn't rejected Israel: 'The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.' Paul sees the Davidic-Abrahamic promise persisting in gospel age.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's Davidic lineage and eternal kingship fulfill this verse's promise despite the monarchy's ancient collapse?
- What does 'irrevocable' (Romans 11:29) covenant mean when Israel has repeatedly broken covenant conditions?
- How should the church relate to God's continuing purposes for ethnic Israel in light of shared Abrahamic promises?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Then will I cast away the seed of Jacob, and David My servant (גַּם־זֶרַע יַעֲקֹב וְדָוִד עַבְדִּי אֶמְאַס)—conditional impossibility (protasis without fulfillable apodosis). 'If creation stops, then (and only then) I'll reject Israel.' Zera' (seed, זֶרַע) links to Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 13:16, 17:7-8); 'David My servant' invokes Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-16). Both covenants operate in tandem—ethnic election (Jacob) and royal/messianic line (David).
So that I will not take any of his seed to be rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the promise: David's descendants will perpetually govern Abraham's descendants. This appears falsified by exile's end of monarchy—yet the genealogies (Matthew 1, Luke 3) trace Jesus to David, and His eternal reign (Luke 1:32-33, Revelation 11:15) fulfills this unconditionally. For I will cause their captivity to return, and have mercy on them (כִּי־אָשׁוּב [אֶת־]שְׁבוּתָם וְרִחַמְתִּים)—racham (have mercy, רָחַם) is covenant love renewing despite deserved judgment.