Jeremiah 7:23
But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 26
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אִֽם
H518
אִֽם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
2 of 26
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַדָּבָ֣ר
But this thing
H1697
הַדָּבָ֣ר
But this thing
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
4 of 26
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
הַ֠זֶּה
H2088
אוֹתָ֤ם
H853
אוֹתָ֤ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שִׁמְע֣וּ
Obey
H8085
שִׁמְע֣וּ
Obey
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
9 of 26
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
וְהָיִ֤יתִי
H1961
וְהָיִ֤יתִי
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
11 of 26
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לֵֽאלֹהִ֔ים
and I will be your God
H430
לֵֽאלֹהִ֔ים
and I will be your God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
13 of 26
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
תִּֽהְיוּ
H1961
תִּֽהְיוּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
15 of 26
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְעָ֑ם
and ye shall be my people
H5971
לְעָ֑ם
and ye shall be my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
17 of 26
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וַהֲלַכְתֶּ֗ם
and walk
H1980
וַהֲלַכְתֶּ֗ם
and walk
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
18 of 26
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
19 of 26
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַדֶּ֙רֶךְ֙
ye in all the ways
H1870
הַדֶּ֙רֶךְ֙
ye in all the ways
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
20 of 26
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
21 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אֶתְכֶ֔ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֔ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
23 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לְמַ֖עַן
H4616
לְמַ֖עַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
24 of 26
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
Cross References
Exodus 15:26And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.Deuteronomy 5:33Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.Jeremiah 42:6Whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God, to whom we send thee; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.Hebrews 5:9And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;Deuteronomy 6:3Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.Deuteronomy 30:20That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.Deuteronomy 13:4Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.Jeremiah 11:4Which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God:Deuteronomy 5:29O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!2 Corinthians 10:5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Historical Context
This covenant formula appears throughout the Pentateuch (Exodus 6:7; Leviticus 26:12) and is fulfilled ultimately in the New Covenant (2 Corinthians 6:16; Revelation 21:3).
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean for God to be 'our God' and us to be 'His people'?
- How does obedience relate to covenant relationship and blessing?
- What is the connection between God's commands and human flourishing?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God states His primary command: 'But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.' This encapsulates the covenant relationship: obedience brings blessing and confirms the God-people relationship. The promise 'I will be your God, and ye shall be my people' is the covenant formula repeated throughout Scripture. The condition 'walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded' emphasizes comprehensive obedience. The purpose clause 'that it may be well unto you' shows God's commands serve human flourishing.