Jeremiah 50:20
In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve.
Original Language Analysis
בַּיָּמִ֣ים
In those days
H3117
בַּיָּמִ֣ים
In those days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
1 of 20
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
וּבָעֵ֨ת
and in that time
H6256
וּבָעֵ֨ת
and in that time
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
3 of 20
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
הַהִ֜יא
H1931
הַהִ֜יא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
4 of 20
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
יְהוָ֗ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
יְבֻקַּ֞שׁ
shall be sought for
H1245
יְבֻקַּ֞שׁ
shall be sought for
Strong's:
H1245
Word #:
7 of 20
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
10 of 20
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וְאֵינֶ֔נּוּ
H369
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
חַטֹּ֥את
and there shall be none and the sins
H2403
חַטֹּ֥את
and there shall be none and the sins
Strong's:
H2403
Word #:
13 of 20
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
יְהוּדָ֖ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֖ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
14 of 20
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
15 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִמָּצֶ֑אינָה
and they shall not be found
H4672
תִמָּצֶ֑אינָה
and they shall not be found
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
16 of 20
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
17 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Micah 7:19He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.Jeremiah 31:34And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.Isaiah 43:25I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.Isaiah 1:9Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.Psalms 103:12As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.Isaiah 44:22I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.2 Peter 3:15And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;Numbers 23:21He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.Jeremiah 33:15In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.Romans 6:13Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
Historical Context
This promise transcends the historical return from Babylon, pointing to ultimate forgiveness through Christ's atonement which removes sins completely (Ps 103:12, 1 John 1:9).
Questions for Reflection
- How does complete forgiveness ('shall not be found') differ from mere pardon?
- What does it mean that God pardons 'the remnant whom I reserve'?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
In the context of Babylon's fall and Israel's return, God promises to forgive Israel's sins completely - 'they shall not be found.' This points beyond the exile's end to the new covenant where sins are remembered no more (Jer 31:34). God pardons 'the remnant whom I reserve' - highlighting sovereign election. Only God's preserving grace accounts for any surviving faith.