Jeremiah 32:40

KJV

And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will make {H3772} an everlasting {H5769} covenant {H1285} with them, that I will not turn away {H7725} from them {H310}, to do them good {H3190}; but I will put {H5414} my fear {H3374} in their hearts {H3824}, that they shall not depart {H5493} from me.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will make with them an everlasting covenant not to turn away from them, but to do them good; I will put fear of me in their hearts, so that they will not leave me.

Berean Standard Bible

I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never turn away from doing good to them, and I will put My fear in their hearts, so that they will never turn away from Me.

American Standard Version

and I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from following them, to do them good; and I will put my fear in their hearts, that they may not depart from me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 32:40 encapsulates a profound promise from God to His people, Judah, during a time of national crisis and impending exile. It declares the establishment of an everlasting covenant, characterized by God's unwavering commitment to do them good and an internal transformation that instills a reverential fear of Him, ensuring their perpetual faithfulness and preventing them from turning away. This verse highlights divine initiative, eternal faithfulness, and the internal work of grace necessary for a lasting relationship with God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This powerful promise is situated within a broader section of Jeremiah's prophecies concerning Judah's restoration after exile. Specifically, Jeremiah 32 opens with the prophet imprisoned during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, a dire symbol of the nation's imminent judgment. Yet, amidst this despair, God commands Jeremiah to purchase a field in Anathoth, a seemingly illogical act that serves as a prophetic sign of future hope and restoration, signifying that land would again be bought and sold in Judah ([Jeremiah 32:15](/jeremiah/32-15 "Jeremiah 32:15 - The Purchase of the Field")). Following Jeremiah's prayer of perplexity and God's reaffirmation of His omnipotence and justice ([Jeremiah 32:16-25](/jeremiah/32-16 "Jeremiah 32:16-25 - Jeremiah's Prayer and God's Response")), the Lord outlines His reasons for judgment—their persistent idolatry and rebellion—but immediately pivots to glorious promises of a future return, spiritual renewal, and a lasting covenant ([Jeremiah 32:36-44](/jeremiah/32-36 "Jeremiah 32:36-44 - Promises of Restoration and Renewal")). Verse 40 is a cornerstone of these restoration promises, detailing the nature of this renewed relationship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Jeremiah 32 is the final years of the Kingdom of Judah, specifically around 588-586 BC, as King Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian army laid siege to Jerusalem. This period was marked by political instability, spiritual apostasy, and the looming threat of national annihilation. The people of Judah had repeatedly broken their covenant with Yahweh, engaging in idolatry and social injustice, despite generations of prophetic warnings. The impending exile to Babylon was God's judgment for their unfaithfulness, yet His covenant love compelled Him to promise a future restoration. Culturally, covenants in the ancient Near East were solemn, binding agreements, often ratified by rituals involving the cutting of animals, symbolizing the fate of the party who broke the agreement (as seen in [Genesis 15](/genesis/15 "Genesis 15 - God's Covenant with Abraham")). God's "everlasting covenant" here transcends human treaties, being unilaterally guaranteed by His divine character and power.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 32:40 powerfully articulates several central themes running through the book of Jeremiah and the prophetic corpus. The most prominent is the **New Covenant**, foreshadowed here as an "everlasting covenant" that differs significantly from the Mosaic Covenant, which Israel had broken ([Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant")). This new covenant emphasizes an internal transformation, where God's law is written on the heart, leading to genuine obedience. Another key theme is **Divine Faithfulness and Initiative**. Despite Israel's persistent unfaithfulness, God remains committed to His promises and actively initiates the means for their restoration and spiritual preservation. The phrase "I will not turn away from them, to do them good" underscores God's steadfast love and benevolent purpose, even in judgment. Finally, the verse highlights **Internal Transformation and Perseverance**. The promise, "I will put my fear in their hearts," speaks to God's work of regenerating the human heart, instilling a reverential awe that serves as a powerful deterrent against apostasy, ensuring that "they shall not depart from me." This divine enablement guarantees the lasting nature of the covenant relationship.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **covenant (Hebrew, _bᵉrîyth'_):** From H3772 (in the sense of cutting, like H1254); a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh); confederacy, (con-) feder(-ate), covenant, league. In this context, it signifies a solemn, binding agreement initiated by God, emphasizing its unchangeable nature. The traditional understanding of a covenant involving "cutting" (as in "cutting a covenant") points to the seriousness and often sacrificial nature of such an agreement.
* **turn away (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** A primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again. Here, it refers to God's steadfastness; He will not turn away from His commitment to His people, implying an enduring presence and benevolent intention, in contrast to their tendency to turn away from Him.
* **fear (Hebrew, _yirʼâh'_):** Feminine of H3372; fear (also used as infinitive); morally, reverence; [idiom] dreadful, [idiom] exceedingly, fear(-fulness). In this context, "fear" is not terror but a profound, reverential awe and respect for God that leads to humble obedience and devotion. It is a holy reverence that fosters a desire to please Him and avoid sin, serving as a spiritual anchor.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will make an everlasting covenant with them":** This phrase establishes God as the initiator of a new, permanent agreement with His people. Unlike previous covenants that were conditional and often broken by human failure, this one is characterized by its "everlasting" nature, signifying its eternal duration and unbreakable quality, rooted in God's unchanging character.
* **"that I will not turn away from them, to do them good":** This clause reveals the unwavering nature of God's commitment. It underscores His steadfast love and benevolent purpose. Even when His people have been unfaithful, God's ultimate intention for them is "good," and He will not abandon His redemptive plan or cease His work on their behalf. This highlights divine grace and perseverance.
* **"but I will put my fear in their hearts":** This is the crucial element of internal transformation. God promises to supernaturally implant within their innermost being (their "hearts") a profound, reverential awe of Him. This "fear" is not paralyzing terror but a deep respect and devotion that motivates obedience and draws them closer to Him, addressing the root cause of their historical unfaithfulness.
* **"that they shall not depart from me":** This final clause states the ultimate outcome of God's internal work. The divinely implanted fear acts as a powerful preservative, ensuring their spiritual perseverance. It is God's active work within them that prevents them from permanently straying or falling away from their relationship with Him, guaranteeing the lasting nature of the covenant.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 32:40 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Personification** is evident in God's declaration, "I will not turn away from them," attributing human-like action (turning away) to God to emphasize His steadfastness and commitment, contrasting with human fickleness. The phrase "put my fear in their hearts" uses **Metonymy**, where "hearts" (lêbâb, H3824) represents the totality of one's inner being—mind, will, emotions—signifying a deep, internal transformation rather than a superficial change. This also functions as **Symbolism**, where the "fear of God" symbolizes the new spiritual disposition and the internal mechanism for obedience and perseverance. The entire verse functions as a **Divine Promise**, a declarative statement of God's future action and commitment, providing hope and assurance amidst despair. The contrast between Israel's past departure from God and God's promise that "they shall not depart from me" creates a powerful **Antithesis**, highlighting the transformative power of the new covenant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 32:40 stands as a pivotal text in understanding God's redemptive plan, particularly concerning the nature of His covenant relationship with humanity. It reveals a shift from a covenant primarily based on external law and human obedience to one rooted in God's sovereign grace and internal transformation. This verse underscores God's unwavering faithfulness, His active role in securing the salvation and perseverance of His people, and the profound importance of a divinely-imparted reverence for Him. It moves beyond mere external adherence to a deep, heart-level commitment, ensuring a lasting and intimate relationship. This promise of an internal work is foundational to the New Testament understanding of regeneration and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

* [Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The Law Written on the Heart")
* [Ezekiel 36:26](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26 - A New Heart and Spirit")
* [Hebrews 8:10](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - The Superiority of the New Covenant")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 32:40 offers profound comfort and challenge for believers today. It reminds us that our security in Christ is not ultimately dependent on our fluctuating faithfulness, but on God's unwavering commitment and His active work within us. We are called to trust in His promise that He "will not turn away from them, to do them good," even when circumstances seem dire or when we ourselves feel weak. This verse also highlights the vital role of the "fear of God" – not a cowering dread, but a reverential awe that acknowledges His holiness, power, and love, leading to humble obedience and a desire to honor Him. This divinely implanted fear is what enables us to "not depart from" Him, providing the internal spiritual compass that guides us away from sin and toward righteousness. It encourages us to lean into God's preserving grace, recognizing that our perseverance is ultimately His work, empowering us to live in faithful response to His eternal covenant.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's "everlasting covenant" impact your sense of security and hope in challenging times?**
* **In what ways have you experienced God's commitment to "do you good" even when you felt you had strayed?**
* **What does "the fear of God" mean to you personally, and how does it manifest in your daily life and choices?**
* **How does the promise that "they shall not depart from me" encourage your perseverance in faith?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "everlasting covenant" in Jeremiah 32:40?**

Answer: The term "everlasting covenant" (Hebrew: _bᵉrîyth 'ôwlâm_) signifies a covenant that is eternal, unbreakable, and perpetual, contrasting sharply with previous covenants that were often conditional and broken by human unfaithfulness. It highlights God's unchanging nature and His unilateral commitment to His promises. In this context, it foreshadows the New Covenant, which God guarantees through His own power and grace, ensuring its lasting efficacy and the eternal security of His people. It's a promise of an enduring relationship that will not be dissolved due to human failure, but sustained by divine faithfulness.

**How does God "put His fear" in their hearts, and what kind of fear is it?**

Answer: God "putting His fear" (Hebrew: _yirʼâh_) in their hearts signifies a supernatural, internal work of transformation. This is not a fear of terror or dread, but a profound, reverential awe and respect for God's holiness, power, and majesty. It's a filial fear, like a child's respect for a loving parent, that motivates obedience and a desire to please Him, rather than to escape punishment. This fear is a gift from God, a spiritual disposition that enables His people to walk in His ways and avoid departing from Him. It is part of the new heart and spirit promised in the New Covenant, where God writes His law upon the heart ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The Law Written on the Heart")) and empowers obedience through His Spirit ([Ezekiel 36:27](/ezekiel/36-27 "Ezekiel 36:27 - God's Spirit and Obedience")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 32:40 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the mediator of the New Covenant. The "everlasting covenant" promised here is precisely the new covenant inaugurated by Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection ([Hebrews 8:6-13](/hebrews/8 "Hebrews 8 - Christ, the Mediator of a Better Covenant")). Through His blood, Jesus established a covenant that is truly eternal and unbreakable, unlike the old covenant which Israel continually broke ([Hebrews 9:15](/hebrews/9-15 "Hebrews 9:15 - Christ, Mediator of the New Covenant")). God's promise, "I will not turn away from them, to do them good," is perfectly embodied in Christ's unwavering love and His work of redemption, securing eternal good for all who believe. Furthermore, the internal transformation—"I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me"—is accomplished by the Holy Spirit, whom Christ poured out upon His church. The Spirit indwells believers, empowering them with a reverential awe of God and enabling them to walk in obedience, ensuring their perseverance and preventing them from permanently departing from Him ([John 14:16-17](/john/14-16 "John 14:16-17 - The Promise of the Helper")). Thus, Jeremiah 32:40 is not merely a historical promise to Israel but a prophetic blueprint for the spiritual security and transformation that believers experience in union with Christ, the guarantor of an everlasting and perfect covenant ([Hebrews 7:22](/hebrews/7-22 "Hebrews 7:22 - Jesus, the Surety of a Better Covenant")).

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

Jeremiah 31:31

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

Jeremiah 31:33

But this [shall be] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, 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.

Ezekiel 36:26

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

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.

James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

1 Peter 1:5

Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Hebrews 6:13

For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,