Jeremiah 29:13

KJV

And ye shall seek me, and find [me], when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

KJV (with Strong's)

And ye shall seek {H1245} me, and find {H4672} me, when ye shall search {H1875} for me with all your heart {H3824}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When you seek me, you will find me, provided you seek for me wholeheartedly;

Berean Standard Bible

You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

American Standard Version

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 29:13 delivers a profound promise of divine accessibility and discovery, contingent upon the wholehearted pursuit of God. Situated within a letter of hope and instruction to the Jewish exiles in Babylon, this verse assures a displaced and despairing people that despite their predicament, God remains intimately knowable. It establishes a reciprocal relationship: when humanity earnestly and completely seeks the Lord, He will unfailingly reveal Himself, underscoring the active, sincere engagement required for a true relationship with the Almighty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 29:13 is a pivotal part of a letter (Jeremiah 29:1-23) sent by the prophet Jeremiah from Jerusalem to the first wave of Jewish exiles deported to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar in 597 BC. This letter counters the false prophecies of immediate return and encourages the exiles to settle down, build homes, and pray for the welfare of Babylon, for their own welfare was tied to it (Jeremiah 29:5-7). The verse immediately follows the well-known promise of God's sovereign plans for their future and hope, not harm (Jeremiah 29:11), and the invitation to pray to Him (Jeremiah 29:12). Thus, Jeremiah 29:13 serves as a conditional statement, outlining the necessary posture of the exiles' hearts for the fulfillment of God's promises and the eventual restoration (Jeremiah 29:10, 14). It transitions from God's declaration of intent to the people's required response, emphasizing that divine intervention often requires human participation and earnest seeking.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the Babylonian Exile, a period of profound national and spiritual crisis for the Israelites. Stripped of their land, temple, and monarchy, they faced immense despair and questioned God's faithfulness and presence. Many believed God had abandoned them or that their sin had irrevocably severed their relationship with Him. In this context, Jeremiah's letter was revolutionary. It challenged their expectations of a quick return and instead called them to a long-term commitment to their new reality, while simultaneously offering a lifeline of hope. The concept of "heart" (לֵבָב, _lêbâb_) in ancient Israelite culture encompassed the totality of a person's inner being—intellect, will, emotions, and moral character—not merely the seat of emotions as often understood in Western thought. Therefore, seeking God "with all your heart" was a call to an unreserved, holistic devotion and commitment, a radical act of faith in a foreign land amidst polytheistic influences.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 29:13 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. It reinforces the theme of **Divine Accessibility**, asserting that God is not distant but can be found by those who genuinely pursue Him, offering comfort to a people feeling abandoned. This echoes the promise of God's presence even in exile, a stark contrast to the perceived absence due to the destruction of the temple. The verse also highlights the theme of **Wholehearted Devotion**, emphasizing that the condition for finding God is the sincerity and totality of one's search. This concept of seeking God with one's entire being is a recurring biblical imperative, seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 4:29](/deuteronomy/4-29 "Deuteronomy 4:29 - Seeking God with All Your Heart") and [1 Chronicles 28:9](/1_chronicles/28-9 "1 Chronicles 28:9 - Serving God with a Perfect Heart"). Furthermore, it underscores the theme of **Covenantal Reciprocity**, where God's promises are often tied to human faithfulness and obedience. The promise of discovery ("and find me") is a direct assurance of God's desire to be known and His faithfulness to those who diligently seek Him, aligning with the broader narrative of God's restorative justice and unwavering love for His covenant people, even in judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Seek (Hebrew, _bâqash'_ H1245):** This primitive root implies a diligent and purposeful search, often with the intent to obtain or secure something. It can refer to seeking by any method, including worship or prayer, and striving after. In the context of Jeremiah 29:13, it suggests an active, earnest pursuit of God, not a passive waiting.
* **Search (Hebrew, _dârash'_ H1875):** This verb, also translated as "seek," carries the nuance of treading a path, frequenting a place, or following in pursuit. It suggests a diligent inquiry, an investigative search, or seeking counsel. When paired with _bâqash_, it intensifies the idea of a thorough, persistent, and intentional quest for God, implying a deep desire to know and understand Him.
* **Heart (Hebrew, _lêbâb'_ H3824):** This term refers to the innermost organ, representing the totality of a person's being—their mind, will, emotions, and moral center. It signifies sincerity, unreserved devotion, and complete commitment. To search with "all your heart" means to engage every faculty of one's inner self in the pursuit of God, ensuring the search is not merely outward ritual but an inward transformation and consuming desire.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And ye shall seek me":** This initial clause presents a direct command and a promise. The verb "seek" (H1245, _bâqash_) implies an active, intentional, and earnest pursuit of God. It's a call to engage personally and purposefully with the divine, moving beyond mere intellectual acknowledgment to a fervent desire for relationship and presence.
* **"and find [me]":** This is the direct, unconditional promise contingent on the preceding action. It assures the seeker of success. God is not elusive but accessible, and He desires to be found. This phrase offers immense hope, affirming God's responsiveness to genuine human seeking, ensuring that the effort will not be in vain.
* **"when ye shall search for me with all your heart":** This crucial conditional clause clarifies the quality and intensity of the seeking required. The verb "search" (H1875, _dârash_) reinforces the idea of a diligent, thorough inquiry. The phrase "with all your heart" (H3824, _lêbâb_) emphasizes the totality of one's inner being—mind, will, and emotion. It demands sincerity, unreserved devotion, and a complete, undivided commitment to the pursuit of God, signifying that superficial or half-hearted efforts will not suffice.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 29:13 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Repetition** is evident in the dual use of verbs for "seek" ("seek me" and "search for me"), which, while distinct in nuance, collectively emphasize the diligence and intensity required. This serves to underscore the central action demanded of the exiles. The verse also functions as a **Conditional Promise**, where the fulfillment of God's assurance ("and find me") is directly dependent on the people's action ("when ye shall search for me with all your heart"). This structure highlights the reciprocal nature of the covenant relationship. Furthermore, the phrase "with all your heart" is a form of **Merism**, representing the entirety of one's inner being by referring to a central part, thereby signifying a holistic and unreserved commitment. This device amplifies the depth of devotion required, moving beyond mere outward ritual to an inward, all-encompassing pursuit.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 29:13 stands as a foundational statement on divine accessibility and the nature of humanity's relationship with God. It asserts a profound theological truth: God is not a hidden deity but one who desires to be known and found by His people. This verse underscores the principle that while God is sovereign and initiates salvation, He also calls for an active, sincere response from humanity. The "wholehearted" pursuit signifies that true spiritual engagement is not superficial or ritualistic, but involves the entirety of one's being—intellect, will, and emotion. This holistic approach to seeking God is a recurring motif throughout Scripture, emphasizing that genuine faith is an all-encompassing commitment, leading to the promised discovery of God's presence, guidance, and peace, even in the midst of profound hardship or exile.

* [Deuteronomy 4:29](/deuteronomy/4-29 "Deuteronomy 4:29 - Seeking God with All Your Heart")
* [1 Chronicles 28:9](/1_chronicles/28-9 "1 Chronicles 28:9 - David's Charge to Solomon to Seek God")
* [Matthew 7:7-8](/matthew/7-7 "Matthew 7:7-8 - Ask, Seek, Knock")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 29:13 offers timeless spiritual guidance, particularly potent for those navigating periods of uncertainty, spiritual dryness, or feeling distant from God. It reassures us that God is not elusive, but rather desires to be found by those who genuinely pursue Him. The emphasis on seeking "with all your heart" challenges us to examine the sincerity and depth of our own spiritual journey. Are we merely going through the motions, or are we truly investing our whole being—our intellect, emotions, and will—into knowing God more intimately? This verse calls us to a deeper level of commitment, urging persistent prayer, diligent study of His Word, and a life lived in active obedience and devotion. It reminds us that even in our personal "exiles"—be they professional setbacks, relational struggles, or existential crises—God promises His presence and guidance to those who earnestly turn to Him, offering hope and direction when all seems lost.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does it mean for me, practically, to seek God "with all my heart" in my daily life?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be seeking God half-heartedly, and what steps can I take to deepen my commitment?**
* **How does the promise "and find [me]" encourage me when I feel distant from God or during difficult times?**
* **What specific practices can I adopt or strengthen to cultivate a more wholehearted pursuit of God?**

### FAQ

**Does "with all your heart" imply that God is only found by perfect people?**

Answer: No, "with all your heart" does not imply a demand for perfection, but rather a demand for sincerity and totality of effort. It refers to the earnestness and undivided nature of one's desire to know God, engaging every part of one's inner being—mind, will, and emotions. It's about the quality of the pursuit, not the flawless execution. The Bible consistently portrays God as merciful and gracious to those who genuinely seek Him, even in their imperfections, as seen in passages like [Psalm 51:17](/psalms/51-17 "Psalm 51:17 - A Broken and Contrite Heart") where a broken and contrite heart is not despised, or [Luke 18:9-14](/luke/18-9 "Luke 18:9-14 - The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector") where the humble, repentant seeker is justified.

**How does this verse relate to God's sovereignty and human free will?**

Answer: Jeremiah 29:13 beautifully illustrates the interplay between God's sovereignty and human free will. God, in His sovereign plan, declares His intention to restore His people (Jeremiah 29:10-11). However, He also calls for a human response, a free act of seeking Him. This verse shows that God's promises are often conditional on human engagement and obedience. While God initiates the relationship and makes Himself knowable, He respects human agency, inviting a willing and wholehearted pursuit. It's not a contradiction but a divine dance where God's gracious invitation meets humanity's earnest response, leading to the promised discovery of His presence and will. This dynamic is a consistent theme throughout Scripture, from the call to choose life in [Deuteronomy 30:19](/deuteronomy/30-19 "Deuteronomy 30:19 - Choose Life") to the invitation to come to Christ in [Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 29:13 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the original context promises the exiles that they would find God upon their wholehearted search, the New Testament reveals that God has fully revealed Himself and made Himself supremely accessible in the person of Jesus. Jesus declared, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). He is the embodiment of God's presence among humanity, the very Word made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Therefore, to "seek" and "search" for God with all one's heart today is, in essence, to seek and search for Christ. He is the one who invites all who are weary and burdened to come to Him and find rest for their souls ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me and I Will Give You Rest")). Through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, Jesus removed the barriers of sin, making it possible for humanity to draw near to God with full assurance ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Confidence to Enter the Most Holy Place")). Thus, the promise of finding God when sought wholeheartedly is perfectly realized in the New Covenant through faith in Christ, who is God's ultimate self-revelation and the very means by which we enter into a true and living relationship with the Father ([Hebrews 11:6](/hebrews/11-6 "Hebrews 11:6 - Faith is Essential to Please God")).

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.

Cross-References

Psalms 119:2

Blessed [are] they that keep his testimonies, [and that] seek him with the whole heart.

Deuteronomy 4:29

But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find [him], if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

Deuteronomy 4:31

(For the LORD thy God [is] a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.

Matthew 7:7

¶ Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Psalms 119:10

¶ With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

Jeremiah 24:7

And I will give them an heart to know me, that I [am] the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.

Joel 2:12

¶ Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye [even] to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: