Jeremiah 32:38

KJV

And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:

KJV (with Strong's)

And they shall be my people {H5971}, and I will be their God {H430}:

Complete Jewish Bible

They will be my people, and I will be their God.

Berean Standard Bible

They will be My people, and I will be their God.

American Standard Version

And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 32:38 encapsulates a foundational promise within the prophetic book of Jeremiah, declaring God's unwavering commitment to His people: "And they shall be my people, and I will be their God." This verse, situated amidst a prophecy of impending judgment and exile, serves as a beacon of hope and restoration, reaffirming the enduring covenant relationship between the Lord and Israel. It speaks to God's sovereign initiative to reclaim and renew His bond with humanity, promising a future where intimacy and belonging are fully realized, even in the wake of profound national crisis.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 32:38 is nestled within a pivotal chapter that dramatically illustrates God's paradoxical promises of judgment and restoration. The prophet Jeremiah is imprisoned in the court of the guard during the final siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, a time of utter despair and imminent destruction (cf. [Jeremiah 32:1-5](/jeremiah/32-1 "Jeremiah 32:1-5 - Jeremiah's Imprisonment During the Siege")). Yet, in a profoundly symbolic act, God commands Jeremiah to purchase a field in Anathoth from his cousin Hanamel ([Jeremiah 32:6-15](/jeremiah/32-6 "Jeremiah 32:6-15 - Jeremiah Buys a Field")). This seemingly illogical transaction, occurring as the land is about to fall into enemy hands, serves as a powerful, tangible sign that "houses and fields and vineyards shall be possessed again in this land" ([Jeremiah 32:15](/jeremiah/32-15 "Jeremiah 32:15 - Promise of Future Possession")). The verse immediately preceding 32:38 speaks of God gathering His people from all lands where He has driven them, bringing them back to this place and making them dwell in safety ([Jeremiah 32:37](/jeremiah/32-37 "Jeremiah 32:37 - God Gathers His People")). Thus, verse 38 is a spiritual cornerstone of this broader prophecy of physical and spiritual restoration, emphasizing the re-establishment of the covenant relationship as the ultimate goal of God's redemptive plan.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Jeremiah 32 is the final, desperate days of the Kingdom of Judah, specifically around 588-586 BC. Jerusalem is under siege by Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian army, and the city's fall and subsequent exile of its inhabitants are inevitable. King Zedekiah, a puppet king installed by Babylon, has rebelled, leading to this catastrophic judgment. In this period, the concept of a covenant relationship with God was central to Israelite identity, rooted in the promises made to Abraham, Moses, and David. The phrase "my people" and "their God" was the very definition of this unique bond, signifying God's election of Israel and their reciprocal obligation to obey His laws. The impending exile represented the most severe breach of this covenant, seemingly signaling its end. However, Jeremiah's prophecy, including verse 38, powerfully asserts that God's faithfulness transcends even Israel's infidelity and the devastating consequences of their sin, promising a future re-establishment of this sacred relationship.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 32:38 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **Covenant Relationship** between God and Israel, reiterating the foundational formula that defines their unique bond. This phrase, "they shall be my people, and I will be their God," echoes throughout Scripture, from God's promise to Israel at Sinai ([Exodus 6:7](/exodus/6-7 "Exodus 6:7 - God's Promise to Be Israel's God")) to the New Covenant prophecy ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant")). Secondly, the verse underscores God's **Divine Faithfulness and Restoration**. Despite Israel's profound disobedience and the impending judgment of exile, God's declaration here demonstrates His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. It reveals a God who punishes sin but also faithfully restores, bringing His people back to Himself. Lastly, it offers profound **Future Hope**. In a time of national catastrophe, this promise points beyond the immediate suffering of the Babylonian exile to a future era of spiritual and physical renewal. It anticipates a time when the relationship between God and His people will be perfectly aligned, characterized by a deeper, more intimate fellowship, free from the cycles of rebellion and judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **people (Hebrew, _ʻam'_):** This term (H5971) denotes a congregated unit, a community, or a nation. Specifically, in the context of Israel, it refers to a tribe or the entire nation, emphasizing their collective identity as God's chosen and distinct group. It signifies a collective belonging and a shared destiny under God's sovereign hand, distinguishing them from other nations.
* **God (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôhîym'_):** This word (H430), though plural in form, is commonly used in the Hebrew Bible to refer to the one supreme God, the Creator and Sustainer of all. When used with the definite article, as implied here, it unequivocally points to Yahweh, the God of Israel. Its usage here emphasizes God's ultimate authority, sovereignty, and His unique position as the object of Israel's worship and allegiance, highlighting the exclusive nature of the covenant relationship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they shall be my people":** This clause establishes the identity and belonging of the covenant community. It signifies God's sovereign act of choosing and claiming a people for Himself, setting them apart from all others. This is not a status earned but a gift bestowed, reflecting God's initiative and grace in establishing a relationship with humanity. It implies a deep, proprietary bond where God takes ownership and responsibility for their well-being.
* **"and I will be their God":** This reciprocal clause completes the covenant formula, defining God's role and commitment. It declares God's willingness to enter into a unique, personal relationship with His chosen people, to be their protector, provider, guide, and sovereign Lord. It signifies His presence among them, His faithfulness to His promises, and His readiness to act on their behalf. Together, these two clauses encapsulate the essence of the biblical covenant: mutual belonging and reciprocal commitment, initiated and sustained by God's divine grace and power.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 32:38 primarily employs the **Covenant Formula**, a recurring literary and theological device throughout the Hebrew Bible. This specific phrase, "they shall be my people, and I will be their God," is a quintessential expression of the covenant relationship established between Yahweh and Israel. Its repetition across various biblical texts (e.g., [Exodus 6:7](/exodus/6-7 "Exodus 6:7"), [Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33"), [Ezekiel 37:27](/ezekiel/37-27 "Ezekiel 37:27 - God Dwells Among His People")) underscores its foundational importance and enduring significance. The formula functions as a concise summary of the divine-human bond, emphasizing mutual belonging and reciprocal commitment, though always initiated by God's sovereign grace. The verse also utilizes **Promise** and **Anticipation**, as it looks beyond the immediate devastation of the Babylonian exile to a future era of restoration and renewed intimacy with God. It serves as a powerful declaration of divine faithfulness, assuring that despite human failure, God's ultimate purpose for His people will be realized.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 32:38 stands as a timeless declaration of God's unchanging desire for intimate relationship with humanity, a desire that transcends human sin and judgment. It articulates the very heart of the biblical covenant, where God pledges Himself to His people, and they, in turn, are called to belong exclusively to Him. This promise, made in the darkest hour of Israel's history, underscores the profound truth that God's faithfulness is not contingent upon human performance, but upon His own unchanging character and sovereign purpose. It points to a future where divine presence and human belonging are perfectly harmonized, a theme that resonates throughout salvation history, culminating in the ultimate dwelling of God with humanity.

* [Exodus 6:7](/exodus/6-7 "Exodus 6:7 - God's Promise to Israel at the Exodus")
* [Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant Promise")
* [Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God Dwells with Humanity in the New Creation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 32:38 offers profound comfort and a clear call to contemporary believers. In a world often marked by instability, fractured relationships, and a search for identity, this verse anchors us in the unwavering truth of God's commitment. It reminds us that our deepest identity is found not in our achievements, circumstances, or even our failures, but in being "His people." This divine declaration assures us that God’s love and faithfulness are steadfast, even when we feel distant or face overwhelming adversity. Just as God promised restoration to Judah in their darkest hour, this verse provides hope that God is actively at work in our lives, even amidst our present difficulties, preparing a future of peace and renewed relationship. It invites us to rest in His sovereign care, knowing that He is truly "our God," intimately involved in every aspect of our lives. This promise also carries a profound responsibility: to live in a manner that honors this sacred relationship, reflecting His character, pursuing His purposes, and demonstrating the reality of His presence in our lives to a watching world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the promise "they shall be my people, and I will be their God" shape your understanding of your identity in Christ?**
* **In what ways does God's faithfulness, as demonstrated in this verse, offer comfort or challenge to you in your current circumstances?**
* **What practical steps can you take to live more fully as "God's people" in your daily life and relationships?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of this phrase appearing so often in the Bible?**

Answer: The phrase "they shall be my people, and I will be their God" is a foundational "covenant formula" that encapsulates the essence of God's relationship with humanity throughout redemptive history. Its frequent repetition underscores its theological weight, signifying God's consistent desire for an exclusive, intimate, and reciprocal relationship with a chosen people. It defines the identity of God's people and the nature of God's commitment to them, serving as a theological anchor from the Mosaic covenant to the New Covenant, ultimately pointing to the full dwelling of God with His redeemed people in eternity, as seen in [Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God's Dwelling with Humanity").

**How does this promise relate to the New Covenant mentioned elsewhere in Jeremiah?**

Answer: Jeremiah 32:38 directly anticipates and is fulfilled in the New Covenant prophecy of [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant"). While Jeremiah 32:38 states the *result* of the covenant relationship, Jeremiah 31:33 explains *how* that relationship will be perfectly realized: "I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people." The New Covenant, mediated by Christ, provides the spiritual transformation necessary for this promise to be fully lived out, moving from an external law to an internal, heart-driven relationship, ensuring an unbreakable bond between God and His people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 32:38 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the mediator and embodiment of the New Covenant. The Old Covenant, though established by God, was often broken by Israel's unfaithfulness, leading to the very exile Jeremiah prophesied. However, in Christ, God's promise to have a people and be their God is perfectly secured and eternally realized. Jesus, through His atoning sacrifice, inaugurates a covenant "not like the covenant that I made with their fathers" ([Hebrews 8:9](/hebrews/8-9 "Hebrews 8:9 - The Superiority of the New Covenant")), a covenant written on hearts, not stone tablets ([Hebrews 8:10](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - The Law Written on Hearts")). Through faith in Him, believers from every nation are grafted into the family of God, becoming "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1-peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - Believers as God's Chosen People")), thereby fulfilling the ancient promise. The Church, as the body of Christ, is now the living manifestation of God's people, indwelt by the Holy Spirit ([2 Corinthians 6:16](/2-corinthians/6-16 "2 Corinthians 6:16 - God Dwells in Believers")), and looking forward to the consummation of this promise when God will dwell fully with humanity in the new heavens and new earth, and "they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God" ([Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God's Dwelling with Humanity in the New Creation")). Thus, Christ is the means by which God's ancient, unwavering desire for intimate fellowship with His people is finally and perfectly achieved.

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

Ezekiel 11:19

And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:

Ezekiel 11:20

That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

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.

Hebrews 8:10

For this [is] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

Revelation 21:7

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Psalms 144:15

Happy [is that] people, that is in such a case: [yea], happy [is that] people, whose God [is] the LORD.

Ezekiel 37:27

My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.