Jeremiah 32:20

Which hast set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, [even] unto this day, and in Israel, and among [other] men; and hast made thee a name, as at this day;

Which hast set {H7760} signs {H226} and wonders {H4159} in the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}, even unto this day {H3117}, and in Israel {H3478}, and among other men {H120}; and hast made {H6213} thee a name {H8034}, as at this day {H3117};

You gave signs and performed miracles in the land of Egypt which continue to this day, also in Isra'el and among other people; thus you made yourself the reputation you have today.

You performed signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, and You do so to this very day, both in Israel and among all mankind. And You have made a name for Yourself, as is the case to this day.

who didst set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, even unto this day, both in Israel and among other men; and madest thee a name, as at this day;

Commentary

Jeremiah 32:20 is part of a profound prayer offered by the prophet Jeremiah while imprisoned during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. In this verse, Jeremiah recounts God's mighty acts throughout history, affirming His boundless power and unwavering commitment to His people, even in the face of imminent national catastrophe.

Context

This verse is found within Jeremiah's prayer of intercession and affirmation in Jeremiah 32:17-25. Despite being commanded by God to buy a field as a sign of future restoration amidst the ongoing siege, Jeremiah expresses a mixture of awe at God's power and a natural human questioning of the seemingly impossible circumstances. The prayer serves as a powerful declaration of faith, recalling God's past interventions as a basis for trusting in His future promises. The previous verse (Jeremiah 32:17) sets the stage by acknowledging God's creation of the heavens and the earth by His great power.

Key Themes

  • Divine Power and Sovereignty: The verse highlights God's absolute control over history and nature. The "signs and wonders" refer primarily to the miraculous events of the Exodus from Egypt, including the plagues and the parting of the Red Sea. These acts demonstrated God's unparalleled might to both Israel and the nations.
  • God's Enduring Reputation: By performing these acts, God "made thee a name, as at this day." This refers to His enduring renown, His character, and His faithfulness being established and remembered throughout generations. His "name" (shem) embodies His very being and reputation.
  • Historical Faithfulness: Jeremiah recalls God's consistent record of intervention, not only in Egypt but also "in Israel, and among other men," affirming that His powerful hand has been at work continuously, shaping events and revealing His presence to all.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "signs and wonders" (Hebrew: otot u'mofetim) is a common biblical expression for miraculous events, particularly those performed by God to demonstrate His power and validate His message or messenger. These are not mere coincidences but deliberate, supernatural interventions designed to convey a divine truth or purpose. The concept of making a "name" (shem) for oneself in the Bible is profound, signifying establishing one's reputation, authority, and character, often in a way that brings glory and honor.

Related Scriptures

  • For more on God's mighty acts in Egypt, see Deuteronomy 6:22.
  • The making of God's name is also central in passages like Isaiah 63:12, which speaks of God leading His people to make His glorious name known.
  • The lasting impact of God's works is a theme echoed in Psalm 105:5, which encourages remembering His wondrous works and judgments.

Practical Application

Jeremiah's prayer, and this verse in particular, serves as a powerful reminder for believers today to recall God's past faithfulness and miraculous interventions. When facing seemingly insurmountable challenges or times of uncertainty, looking back at God's historical record of power and provision can strengthen our faith. It encourages us to trust that the God who performed "signs and wonders" in Egypt and throughout history is the same God who is active "unto this day" in our lives and in the world. His character, His "name," remains unchanged, and His ability to act powerfully on behalf of His purposes is undiminished.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Nehemiah 9:10

    And shewedst signs and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land: for thou knewest that they dealt proudly against them. So didst thou get thee a name, as [it is] this day.

  • Daniel 9:15

    And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly.

  • Psalms 135:9

    [Who] sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.

  • Exodus 10:2

    And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son's son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I [am] the LORD.

  • Acts 7:36

    He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.

  • 2 Samuel 7:23

    And what one nation in the earth [is] like thy people, [even] like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, [from] the nations and their gods?

  • Exodus 9:16

    And in very deed for this [cause] have I raised thee up, for to shew [in] thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.
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