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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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,
Jeremiah 32:40 is a powerful verse from the prophet Jeremiah, offering a profound glimpse into God's character and His future dealings with His people. It speaks of an unbreakable bond and an internal transformation that ensures lasting faithfulness.
Context
This prophecy comes at a time of immense national crisis for Judah. Jerusalem is under siege by the Babylonians, and the kingdom is on the brink of collapse. Jeremiah himself is imprisoned in the court of the guard (see Jeremiah 32:2). Despite the dire circumstances, God commands Jeremiah to purchase a field, symbolizing a future restoration and the certainty that land would once again be bought and sold in Judah (see Jeremiah 32:15). Within this context of judgment and impending exile, God provides glorious promises of a future return, renewal, and a lasting covenant, emphasizing His sovereign control and ultimate plan for good.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "covenant" is berith, which denotes a solemn, binding agreement, often sealed with an oath or sacrifice. The term "everlasting" (Hebrew: 'olam) emphasizes its timeless, eternal nature, contrasting with temporary human treaties. The "fear" (Hebrew: yirah) that God puts in their hearts implies a deep respect and awe that motivates righteous living, rather than a debilitating terror. It is often linked in scripture to the "beginning of wisdom" and knowledge of God.
Practical Application
For believers today, Jeremiah 32:40 offers immense comfort and assurance. It reminds us that God's promises are eternal and His commitment to His people is unwavering. We can trust in His faithfulness to "do us good," even through difficult times. Furthermore, it highlights the divine enablement for obedience: God Himself works within our hearts, instilling a reverential fear that empowers us to live righteously and remain connected to Him. This verse encourages us to lean on God's sustaining grace, knowing that He is actively at work to ensure our spiritual perseverance and ultimate good.