Jeremiah 23:8

But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.

But, The LORD {H3068} liveth {H2416}, which brought up {H5927} and which led {H935} the seed {H2233} of the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478} out of the north {H6828} country {H776}, and from all countries {H776} whither I had driven {H5080} them; and they shall dwell {H3427} in their own land {H127}.

but, 'As ADONAI lives, who brought the descendants of the house of Isra'el up from the land to the north' and from all the countries where I drove them. Then they will live in their own land."

Instead they will say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, who brought and led the descendants of the house of Israel up out of the land of the north and all the other lands to which He had banished them.’ Then they will dwell once more in their own land.”

but, As Jehovah liveth, who brought up and who led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all the countries whither I had driven them. And they shall dwell in their own land.

Jeremiah 23:8 delivers a powerful prophecy about God's future restoration of Israel, contrasting it with the foundational event of the Exodus from Egypt. It highlights the LORD's enduring faithfulness and His sovereign plan to gather His people from dispersion.

Context

This verse is part of a broader prophetic discourse in Jeremiah chapter 23, where the prophet condemns the false shepherds (leaders) of Israel who have scattered God's flock. In stark contrast, God promises to raise up true shepherds (Jeremiah 23:4) and a "Righteous Branch" (the Messiah, Jeremiah 23:5-6) who will gather and lead His people justly. Verse 7 introduces the idea of a future event so momentous that it will overshadow the original Exodus from Egypt. Verse 8 then elaborates on this "new Exodus," focusing on the return from the Babylonian captivity and a wider, global dispersion.

Key Themes

  • God's Unchanging Faithfulness: The declaration, "The LORD liveth," serves as a solemn oath, emphasizing God's eternal nature and His active commitment to His covenant promises. Despite Israel's rebellion and subsequent judgment, God's word stands firm, guaranteeing their future restoration.
  • The Promise of Comprehensive Restoration: The verse specifically mentions being brought "out of the north country" (referring to Babylon) and "from all countries whither I had driven them." This signifies a complete and universal gathering of the scattered "seed of the house of Israel," not just from a single exile but from every place of dispersion. This echoes earlier prophecies of God's intent to gather His people from all corners of the earth, as seen in Deuteronomy 30:3.
  • A New Exodus: By stating that the people will swear by the LORD who brought them from "all countries" rather than just Egypt, the prophecy elevates the future return from exile to a status even greater than the original Exodus. This "new Exodus" signifies an even more profound act of divine redemption and a testament to God's power to restore what was lost. The ultimate goal is for them to "dwell in their own land," fulfilling the ancient promises made to Abraham regarding the promised land.

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "The LORD liveth" (Hebrew: Yahweh chai) is a powerful affirmation of God's active, personal, and enduring existence. It is a common oath in the Old Testament, underscoring the absolute certainty and reliability of the statement that follows. Here, it contrasts with the dead idols of the nations and highlights the living God's power to bring about His promises.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 23:8 offers profound hope and reassurance for all believers. It reminds us that:

  • God is Faithful to His Word: Even when circumstances seem bleak or His people are in a state of judgment, God's ultimate plan is one of restoration and fulfillment of His promises. This provides a foundation for trust in God's character.
  • Hope Beyond Despair: Just as God promised to gather Israel from their dispersion, He offers hope and spiritual restoration to individuals and communities facing their own forms of "exile" or brokenness.
  • Divine Sovereignty: God is sovereign over all nations and events. He "drives" His people into exile as a form of judgment, but also orchestrates their return, demonstrating His control over history and His ultimate redemptive purposes. This truth provides comfort that God is at work even in difficult times.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Amos 9:14

    And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit [them]; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them.

  • Amos 9:15

    And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God.

  • Isaiah 43:5

    Fear not: for I [am] with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;

  • Isaiah 43:6

    I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;

  • Ezekiel 34:13

    And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country.

  • Ezekiel 39:28

    Then shall they know that I [am] the LORD their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there.

  • Ezekiel 37:25

    And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, [even] they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David [shall be] their prince for ever.

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