16:20 16:20

Jeremiah 16:21

17:1 17:1

Bible Versions

Therefore, behold, I will this once cause them to know, I will cause them to know mine hand and my might; and they shall know that my name [is] The LORD.
Therefore, behold, I will this once {H6471} cause them to know {H3045}, I will cause them to know {H3045} mine hand {H3027} and my might {H1369}; and they shall know {H3045} that my name {H8034} is The LORD {H3068}.
"Therefore, I will make them know, once and for all, I will make them know my power and my might. Then they will know that my name is ADONAI.
“Therefore behold, I will inform them, and this time I will make them know My power and My might; then they will know that My name is the LORD.
Therefore, behold, I will cause them to know, this once will I cause them to know my hand and my might; and they shall know that my name is Jehovah.

Jeremiah 16:21 is a powerful declaration from God, revealing His ultimate purpose to make His identity and power known, not only to Judah but to the nations. This verse serves as a climactic statement following a series of pronouncements concerning judgment and eventual restoration.

Context

Chapter 16 of Jeremiah largely details the severe judgment awaiting Judah due to their persistent idolatry and disobedience. Jeremiah himself is forbidden from participating in customary life events like marriage or mourning, symbolizing the unprecedented desolation that will soon engulf the land (Jeremiah 16:2-4). However, amidst these pronouncements of doom, there are glimmers of hope and promises of future restoration. Verses 14-15 speak of a new exodus, where God will bring His people back from the lands of their dispersion, a promise of restoration after exile. Verse 21 follows a lament (Jeremiah 16:19-20) where Jeremiah acknowledges the futility of idol worship, contrasting it with the true and living God.

Key Themes

  • Divine Revelation: God declares His intention to actively intervene and reveal Himself. The repetition, "I will cause them to know, I will cause them to know," emphasizes the certainty and intensity of this divine action. It's not a passive knowing but an experiential, undeniable revelation.
  • God's Sovereign Power: "Mine hand and my might" refers to God's active involvement, His omnipotence, and His control over all circumstances and nations. This power is demonstrated through both judgment and salvation, proving His absolute authority.
  • The Uniqueness of Yahweh: The ultimate purpose is for all to know that God's name "is The LORD." In the King James Version, "The LORD" (all caps) represents the sacred Hebrew covenant name of God, YHWH (Yahweh). This name signifies His eternal, self-existent nature and His faithfulness to His covenant promises. It is the name by which He distinguishes Himself from all false gods (see Exodus 3:14).
  • Universal Recognition: While initially directed at Judah, the phrase "them" in this context broadens to include the nations who witness God's dealings with His people. God's mighty acts will serve as a testimony to the entire world, leading to His global recognition.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "know" (yada') implies more than just intellectual understanding; it signifies a deep, personal, and experiential knowledge, often gained through direct encounter. The repetition of "I will cause them to know" (hôdhî'ēm) highlights the divine initiative and the profound impact of this revelation. The name "The LORD" (YHWH) is central, underscoring God's personal identity and His covenant relationship with His people, a relationship He desires to extend to all who will acknowledge Him.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 16:21 reminds us that God is actively involved in human history, working out His purposes. He continues to reveal His "hand and His might" in our lives and in the world, often through challenging circumstances that ultimately lead to a deeper understanding of His sovereignty. For believers, this verse is a call to trust in God's ultimate plan and to proclaim His name to others. For those who do not yet know Him, it's a powerful statement of God's desire for all humanity to recognize His unique identity and power, leading to repentance and worship (as seen in Psalm 46:10).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 9:16

    The LORD is known [by] the judgment [which] he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.

  • Jeremiah 33:2

    Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD [is] his name;

  • Psalms 83:18

    That [men] may know that thou, whose name alone [is] JEHOVAH, [art] the most high over all the earth.

  • Amos 5:8

    [Seek him] that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD [is] his name:

  • Exodus 15:3

    The LORD [is] a man of war: the LORD [is] his name.

  • Isaiah 43:3

    For I [am] the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt [for] thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.

  • Exodus 9:14

    For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that [there is] none like me in all the earth.
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