Jeremiah Chapter 33 · Verse 26

Authorized King James Version

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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
וְיַעֲקֹ֑ב and Jacob H3290
וְיַעֲקֹ֑ב and Jacob
Strong's: H3290
Word #: 3 of 19
jaakob, the israelitish patriarch
וְדָוִ֨ד and David H1732
וְדָוִ֨ד and David
Strong's: H1732
Word #: 4 of 19
david, the youngest son of jesse
עַבְדִּ֜י my servant H5650
עַבְדִּ֜י my servant
Strong's: H5650
Word #: 5 of 19
a servant
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
מֹֽשְׁלִ֔ים to be rulers H4910
מֹֽשְׁלִ֔ים to be rulers
Strong's: H4910
Word #: 9 of 19
to rule
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 10 of 19
near, with or among; often in general, to
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
אַבְרָהָ֖ם of Abraham H85
אַבְרָהָ֖ם of Abraham
Strong's: H85
Word #: 12 of 19
abraham, the later name of abram
יִשְׂחָ֣ק Isaac H3446
יִשְׂחָ֣ק Isaac
Strong's: H3446
Word #: 13 of 19
jischak, the heir of abraham
וְיַעֲקֹ֑ב and Jacob H3290
וְיַעֲקֹ֑ב and Jacob
Strong's: H3290
Word #: 14 of 19
jaakob, the israelitish patriarch
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)
שְׁבוּתָ֖ם for I will cause their captivity H7622
שְׁבוּתָ֖ם for I will cause their captivity
Strong's: H7622
Word #: 18 of 19
exile, concretely, prisoners; figuratively, a former state of prosperity
וְרִחַמְתִּֽים׃ and have mercy H7355
וְרִחַמְתִּֽים׃ and have mercy
Strong's: H7355
Word #: 19 of 19
to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate

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.

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.

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