Jeremiah 32:19

Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes [are] open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:

Great {H1419} in counsel {H6098}, and mighty {H7227} in work {H5950}: for thine eyes {H5869} are open {H6491} upon all the ways {H1870} of the sons {H1121} of men {H120}: to give {H5414} every one {H376} according to his ways {H1870}, and according to the fruit {H6529} of his doings {H4611}:

great in counsel, mighty in deed! Your eyes are open to all the ways of human beings in order to repay each one according to his ways, according to the consequences of what he does.

the One great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are on all the ways of the sons of men, to reward each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds.

great in counsel, and mighty in work; whose eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men, to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings;

Jeremiah 32:19 is part of Jeremiah the prophet's prayer to God during a profoundly challenging time. Imprisoned by King Zedekiah and with Jerusalem under siege by the Babylonians, Jeremiah has just been commanded by God to buy a field, an act that seems utterly illogical given the imminent destruction. This verse is a profound declaration of God's character, forming the basis of Jeremiah's trust amidst confusion.

Context of Jeremiah 32:19

This verse is embedded within Jeremiah's prayer (Jeremiah 32:17-25), offered after God instructs him to purchase a piece of land as a sign of future restoration, even as the city faces destruction. Jeremiah begins his prayer by acknowledging God's immense power and creative ability (Jeremiah 32:17). Verse 19 then elaborates on the specific attributes of God that assure Jeremiah of His sovereignty and justice, even when circumstances seem bleak and contradictory to the promise of future hope.

Key Themes and Messages

  • God's Infinite Wisdom and Power: The phrase "Great in counsel, and mighty in work" highlights God's perfect planning and His unparalleled ability to execute those plans. His wisdom (Hebrew: 'etsah) is profound, and His deeds (Hebrew: ma'alalav) are mighty, signifying His absolute sovereignty over all events, including the impending judgment on Judah.
  • God's Omniscience: "Thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men" emphasizes God's constant and comprehensive awareness of human actions and intentions. Nothing is hidden from Him; He sees every decision, every motive, and every deed, a truth also echoed in Proverbs 15:3 and Hebrews 4:13.
  • Divine Justice and Accountability: The latter part of the verse, "to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings," underscores God's unwavering commitment to justice. He is a righteous judge who repays individuals according to their conduct and the natural consequences (the "fruit") of their actions. This principle of divine recompense is fundamental throughout scripture, as seen in Psalm 62:12 and Romans 2:6.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "Great in counsel, and mighty in work" is g'dol ha'etsah v'rav ha'alilah. 'Etsah refers to deliberate planning, purpose, and profound wisdom, emphasizing God's perfect foresight. Ha'alilah denotes powerful, decisive action or deed. The combination highlights that God's actions are not arbitrary but flow from His deep, wise counsel. The "fruit of his doings" (p'ri ma'alalav) is a vivid metaphor illustrating that actions have consequences, just as a tree bears fruit according to its nature.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 32:19 offers immense comfort and a sober warning. It assures believers that even in times of chaos, uncertainty, or national crisis, God remains in control, working His perfect plan. His wisdom and power are supreme, and His observation of humanity is constant. This verse calls us to live with integrity, knowing that our "ways" and the "fruit of our doings" are always before His eyes. It encourages trust in God's ultimate justice and His ability to bring about His purposes, even through seemingly impossible situations, much like Jeremiah's act of buying a field during a siege pointed to a future restoration.

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.

  • Jeremiah 17:10

    I the LORD search the heart, [I] try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, [and] according to the fruit of his doings.

  • Matthew 16:27

    For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

  • Psalms 62:12

    Also unto thee, O Lord, [belongeth] mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.

  • Isaiah 28:29

    This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, [which] is wonderful in counsel, [and] excellent in working.

  • Jeremiah 16:17

    For mine eyes [are] upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes.

  • Job 34:21

    For his eyes [are] upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.

  • Revelation 22:12

    And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward [is] with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

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