Jeremiah 32:27

KJV

Behold, I [am] the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold, I am the LORD {H3068}, the God {H430} of all flesh {H1320}: is there any thing {H1697} too hard {H6381} for me?

Complete Jewish Bible

"Look, I am ADONAI, the God of every living creature; is there anything too hard for me?

Berean Standard Bible

“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too difficult for Me?

American Standard Version

Behold, I am Jehovah, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for me?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 32:27 stands as a profound declaration of divine omnipotence and sovereignty, delivered by God to the prophet Jeremiah during a period of intense national crisis. Amidst the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem and Jeremiah's own imprisonment, God commands a seemingly illogical act of purchasing land, prompting Jeremiah's prayerful questioning. This verse is God's direct, rhetorical response, unequivocally reaffirming His limitless power over all creation, circumstances, and the fulfillment of His promises, assuring that no situation, however dire or humanly impossible, is beyond His capability to accomplish His will.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 32 unfolds during a pivotal and desperate moment in Judah's history: the final siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonian army (circa 588-586 BC). Jeremiah himself is confined in the court of the guard, a prisoner due to his prophetic messages of impending doom and exile, which were unpopular with the Judean leadership ([Jeremiah 32:2](/jeremiah/32-2 "Jeremiah 32:2 - Jeremiah's Imprisonment")). In a striking act of prophetic symbolism, God commands Jeremiah to purchase a field in Anathoth from his cousin Hanamel. This instruction comes at a time when the land is about to be overrun and its inhabitants exiled, making the transaction appear utterly senseless from a human perspective ([Jeremiah 32:6-15](/jeremiah/32-6 "Jeremiah 32:6-15 - The Purchase of the Field")). Jeremiah, though obedient, expresses his perplexity and awe at God's past mighty deeds in his prayer ([Jeremiah 32:17-25](/jeremiah/32-17 "Jeremiah 32:17-25 - Jeremiah's Prayer of Awe and Perplexity")), implicitly questioning how God's promises of restoration could possibly be fulfilled given the immediate devastation. Verse 27 is God's direct, thunderous answer to Jeremiah's unspoken doubt, preceding a detailed explanation of both the coming judgment and the future restoration of Israel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the twilight of the Kingdom of Judah. Jerusalem is under siege by Nebuchadnezzar's forces, a culmination of decades of Judah's rebellion against God and refusal to heed prophetic warnings. The city is on the brink of collapse, famine is rampant, and exile is imminent. Culturally, the purchase of land was a significant act of inheritance and continuity, symbolizing a family's future and presence in the land. For Jeremiah to buy land during a siege, when its value was ostensibly zero and its ownership uncertain, was a profound counter-cultural statement. It was an act of faith in God's long-term plan, defying the immediate, grim reality. The people of Judah were facing the consequences of breaking their covenant with Yahweh, and their understanding of God's power was being tested by the overwhelming might of the Babylonian empire and the apparent failure of their national defenses.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 32:27 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **God's Omnipotence and Sovereignty**, emphasizing that God's power is absolute and unconstrained by human limitations or circumstances. This declaration directly counters the despair and perceived impossibility of Judah's situation. It also undergirds the theme of **Divine Faithfulness and Covenant Keeping**, assuring that despite Judah's unfaithfulness and the impending judgment, God remains true to His covenant promises of future restoration and renewal for His people ([Jeremiah 32:37-44](/jeremiah/32-37 "Jeremiah 32:37-44 - Promise of Restoration")). The verse further highlights the theme of **Hope Amidst Despair**, offering a beacon of light in a time of national catastrophe. It teaches that even when all human hope is lost, God's ability to act and bring about His purposes remains undiminished. This divine assurance is crucial for understanding the prophetic message of both judgment and ultimate redemption found throughout [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/1 "The Book of Jeremiah").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the sacred, personal name of God, often translated as Yahweh or Jehovah. As derived from the Strong's data, it signifies "the self-Existent or Eternal." In this context, it emphasizes God's unchanging, eternal nature and His covenantal relationship with Israel. It's not merely a title but reveals the very essence of the One who speaks, underscoring His unique authority and power as the uncreated Creator.
* **God (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôhîym'_):** This plural noun, though often used for the singular supreme God, carries connotations of majesty, power, and the divine. The Strong's data notes its application to the "supreme God" and sometimes as a "superlative" or "mighty." Here, "the God of all flesh" signifies His universal dominion, not just over Israel, but over all humanity and creation, highlighting His absolute authority and comprehensive reach.
* **hard (Hebrew, _pâlâʼ'_):** This root word implies something "to be wonderful, marvelous, difficult, extraordinary." The Strong's definition includes "to be (causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful; accomplish, (arise...too, be too) hard, hidden, things too high, (be, do, do a, shew) marvelous." The rhetorical question, "is there any thing too hard for me?" uses this term to challenge human limitations and perception, asserting that nothing is beyond God's miraculous, distinguishing, and extraordinary capability. It points to God's unique ability to perform wonders that defy natural explanation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold, I [am] the LORD":** This opening exclamation, "Behold," draws immediate attention to the speaker and the profound nature of the declaration. "I am the LORD" is a self-identification by God, using His covenant name, YHWH. It underscores His personal presence, His unchanging character, and His absolute authority. This is not a mere statement but a divine self-revelation, asserting His identity as the sovereign, self-existent God who is faithful to His promises.
* **"the God of all flesh":** This phrase expands on God's identity, emphasizing His universal dominion. "All flesh" refers to all humanity, indeed all living beings. It signifies that God's authority and power extend over every creature and every aspect of existence, not just over Israel. This declaration establishes His comprehensive sovereignty and ability to act within and upon the entire created order, making His power truly limitless.
* **"is there any thing too hard for me?":** This is a rhetorical question, designed not to elicit an answer but to affirm an undeniable truth: there is absolutely nothing too difficult, too complex, or too impossible for God. The word "hard" (pâlâʼ) implies something extraordinary, wonderful, or beyond human comprehension or capability. By posing this question, God challenges Jeremiah's (and by extension, humanity's) limited perspective, asserting His unique ability to accomplish what seems utterly impossible to human eyes, including the restoration of Judah after its utter devastation.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 32:27 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound theological truth. The most prominent is **Rhetorical Question**, "is there any thing too hard for me?" This question is not posed to solicit information but to emphasize a self-evident truth, compelling the listener to acknowledge God's limitless power. Its force lies in the implicit, resounding "No!" it demands. The phrase "the God of all flesh" functions as a form of **Hyperbole** or **Merism**, representing God's absolute and universal dominion over all living things, extending beyond just humanity to all creation. This emphasizes the comprehensive scope of His power. Furthermore, the verse uses **Divine Self-Identification** ("I am the LORD") to establish authority and reinforce the speaker's identity as the ultimate sovereign. This direct address creates an immediate and personal impact, grounding the declaration of omnipotence in the very character of God. The entire verse serves as an **Affirmation**, a powerful statement of divine capability designed to instill faith and overcome doubt in the face of insurmountable odds.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 32:27 is a foundational text for understanding God's omnipotence and His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises, even in the face of human failure and seemingly impossible circumstances. It reveals a God whose power is not merely great but absolute, transcending all human limitations, natural laws, and historical realities. This declaration serves as a divine antidote to despair, reminding believers that God's capacity to act is never diminished, regardless of the severity of the situation. It underscores that His plans for redemption and restoration are secured not by human strength or wisdom, but by His infinite power and faithfulness. This truth is vital for understanding how God can bring life from death, order from chaos, and hope from utter ruin, as He promised to do for Judah after their exile.

* [Genesis 18:14](/genesis/18-14 "Genesis 18:14 - God's Question to Sarah")
* [Luke 1:37](/luke/1-37 "Luke 1:37 - Nothing is Impossible with God")
* [Matthew 19:26](/matthew/19-26 "Matthew 19:26 - All Things Are Possible with God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 32:27 offers an enduring wellspring of encouragement and a profound challenge to our limited human perspectives. In a world often dominated by seemingly insurmountable problems—personal struggles, societal injustices, global crises, or even doubts about God's activity in our lives—this verse calls us to lift our gaze beyond what is humanly possible and fix it on the God for whom nothing is too hard. It invites us to trust implicitly in His boundless power, not just when things are going well, but especially when circumstances appear bleak and hopeless. It compels us to pray with audacious faith, believing that the God who can restore a devastated nation can also intervene in our individual lives and the world around us. Ultimately, this verse fosters a deep sense of peace and security, knowing that our sovereign God is fully capable of accomplishing His perfect will, regardless of the obstacles. It encourages us to surrender our anxieties and limitations to Him, resting in His omnipotence and finding hope in His unfailing ability to bring about His purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "impossible" situations in your life or the world are you currently wrestling with that this verse speaks to?**
* **How does understanding God as "the God of all flesh" impact your view of His sovereignty and care over all creation?**
* **In what ways might your prayers change if you truly believed that "nothing is too hard" for God?**
* **How does this verse provide comfort and hope when faced with despair or apparent failure?**

### FAQ
**What was the immediate context of God's declaration in Jeremiah 32:27?**

Answer: The immediate context was the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, a time of extreme national crisis and despair for the Kingdom of Judah. The prophet Jeremiah himself was imprisoned, and God had just commanded him to perform a seemingly illogical act: purchasing a field in Anathoth, symbolizing future restoration despite the imminent destruction and exile ([Jeremiah 32:6-15](/jeremiah/32-6 "Jeremiah 32:6-15 - The Purchase of the Field")). Jeremiah had just offered a prayer acknowledging God's past mighty deeds but also expressing his perplexity regarding the feasibility of God's promises in such dire circumstances ([Jeremiah 32:17-25](/jeremiah/32-17 "Jeremiah 32:17-25 - Jeremiah's Prayer")). Verse 27 is God's direct, unequivocal response to Jeremiah's implicit doubt, reaffirming His absolute power.

**Does "God of all flesh" mean God is limited to humanity?**

Answer: No, "God of all flesh" (Hebrew: *ʼĕlôhîym* of *bâsâr*) signifies God's universal dominion and authority over all living beings, and by extension, all creation. It emphasizes that His power is not confined to a single nation or group but extends to every creature and every aspect of existence. It highlights His comprehensive sovereignty, meaning His power is limitless and applies to everything that has life, reinforcing that nothing is outside of His control or capability. This is a declaration of His boundless reach, not a limitation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 32:27, with its resounding declaration of God's limitless power, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The rhetorical question, "is there any thing too hard for me?", is answered definitively in the incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of the Son of God. What seemed impossible—God becoming man ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), a virgin conceiving ([Luke 1:34-37](/luke/1-34 "Luke 1:34-37 - The Annunciation")), sin being perfectly atoned for ([Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Atonement Through Blood")), and death being conquered ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death"))—all became gloriously possible through Christ. Jesus, as "the God of all flesh" in human form, demonstrated this power through His miracles, healing the sick, raising the dead, and calming storms, proving that all authority in heaven and on earth belongs to Him ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")). His resurrection, in particular, is the ultimate testament to the truth of Jeremiah 32:27, showing that even the greatest human impossibility—overcoming death itself—is not too hard for God. Through Christ, God accomplishes the ultimate restoration and new creation, fulfilling the promises of hope and redemption that were foreshadowed in Jeremiah's time, making all things new for those who believe ([Revelation 21:5](/revelation/21-5 "Revelation 21:5 - Behold, I Make All Things New")).

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

Matthew 19:26

But Jesus beheld [them], and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Jeremiah 32:17

Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, [and] there is nothing too hard for thee:

Isaiah 64:8

But now, O LORD, thou [art] our father; we [are] the clay, and thou our potter; and we all [are] the work of thy hand.

John 17:2

As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

Psalms 65:2

O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.

Romans 3:29

[Is he] the God of the Jews only? [is he] not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:

Romans 3:30

Seeing [it is] one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.