Jeremiah 33:15

KJV

In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.

KJV (with Strong's)

In those days {H3117}, and at that time {H6256}, will I cause the Branch {H6780} of righteousness {H6666} to grow up {H6779} unto David {H1732}; and he shall execute {H6213} judgment {H4941} and righteousness {H6666} in the land {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When those days come, at that time, I will cause to spring up for David a Branch of Righteousness. He will do what is just and right in the land.

Berean Standard Bible

In those days and at that time I will cause to sprout for David a righteous Branch, and He will administer justice and righteousness in the land.

American Standard Version

In those days, and at that time, will I cause a Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 33:15 presents a profound prophetic declaration from the Lord, promising the future emergence of a righteous king from the lineage of David. This verse, delivered amidst Judah's impending judgment and exile, serves as a powerful beacon of unwavering hope, asserting God's steadfast faithfulness to His covenant with David. It foretells the coming of a divinely appointed ruler who will establish perfect justice and righteousness throughout the land, ultimately bringing comprehensive restoration and blessing to His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within Jeremiah's "Book of Consolation" (chapters 30-33), a section that marks a significant shift from the preceding prophecies of dire judgment and destruction. While Jeremiah's primary prophetic commission was to declare God's impending wrath upon Judah for its persistent idolatry and moral corruption, these chapters pivot dramatically to reveal God's ultimate plans for restoration, renewal, and a glorious future. Specifically, [Jeremiah 33:14-26](/jeremiah/33-14-26 "Jeremiah 33:14-26 - God's Unconditional Covenant Promises") forms a crucial pericope that reiterates and expands upon God's unconditional covenant promises, particularly the Davidic covenant and the Levitical priesthood. This immediate literary setting underscores God's enduring faithfulness and His unwavering commitment to His covenantal word, even in the face of His people's profound unfaithfulness, presenting a future hope that transcends their immediate suffering and exile.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah prophesied during the tumultuous final decades of the Kingdom of Judah, a period marked by political instability, spiritual apostasy, and the looming threat of Babylonian invasion. He bore witness to the decline of the Davidic monarchy under a succession of unrighteous kings who often failed to uphold justice and righteousness, leading the nation further into sin and away from God. This culminated in the devastating destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of its people to Babylon. Culturally, the people of Judah held deeply to the promise of a perpetual Davidic king, yet their present reality was one of a decaying monarchy and national catastrophe, seemingly contradicting this ancient hope. This prophecy, therefore, speaks directly into a period of profound national crisis, offering a future vision of a righteous ruler from David's line—a stark contrast to the corrupt and ineffective kings of their day—and a powerful reaffirmation of ancient promises made to [King David himself](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant").
* **Key Themes:** [Jeremiah 33:15](/jeremiah/33-15 "Jeremiah 33:15 - The Branch of Righteousness") encapsulates several major theological and narrative themes prevalent throughout the book of Jeremiah and the broader Old Testament prophetic tradition. The most prominent is **Messianic Prophecy**, identifying the future king as "the Branch of righteousness." This is a significant title found in other prophetic books, such as [Isaiah 4:2](/isaiah/4-2 "Isaiah 4:2 - The Branch of the Lord"), [Zechariah 3:8](/zechariah/3-8 "Zechariah 3:8 - The Branch"), and [Zechariah 6:12](/zechariah/6-12 "Zechariah 6:12 - The Man Whose Name is the Branch"), highlighting God's ultimate plan for a divine deliverer. Closely related is the **Fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant**, emphasizing God's unwavering commitment to establish an eternal dynasty through David's lineage, a promise central to Israel's hope for a righteous king who would reign forever (see [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - God's Covenant with David")). The verse also powerfully underscores the theme of **Righteous Rule**, contrasting the future king's perfect "judgment and righteousness" with the corrupt and unjust leadership that characterized Jeremiah's contemporary era. Finally, it speaks powerfully to **Restoration and Hope**, assuring God's people that despite their impending exile and the apparent failure of the monarchy, God would ultimately bring about a glorious future under a perfectly just and righteous ruler, signaling a new era of blessing and peace for the land.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Branch (Hebrew, _tsemach'_):** H6780. Derived from the primitive root H6779 (_tsâmach_), meaning "to sprout," "grow up," or "bud forth," this noun literally refers to a shoot, sprout, or bud. Prophetically, "the Branch" is a profound Messianic title. It signifies new life, vitality, and growth emerging from a seemingly dead or dormant lineage. In the context of the Davidic line, which was in severe decline and facing imminent destruction during Jeremiah's time, "the Branch" points to a future descendant who would "sprout" forth as a new, vibrant, and legitimate king, bringing forth new life and hope for the nation, fulfilling God's ancient promises.
* **Righteousness (Hebrew, _tsᵉdâqâh'_):** H6666. This word denotes rightness in an abstract sense, encompassing rectitude, justice, virtue, and even prosperity. When applied to "the Branch," it emphasizes the moral uprightness, perfect justice, and unwavering adherence to God's divine standards that will characterize His rule. Unlike the unrighteous and corrupt kings of Judah who failed to administer justice, this coming ruler will embody and actively administer perfect justice, ensuring equity, moral integrity, and divine order in the land.
* **Execute (Hebrew, _ʻâsâh'_):** H6213. This is a versatile primitive root meaning "to do or make" in the broadest sense, encompassing actions like accomplish, perform, bring forth, or carry out. In this specific context, it signifies the active, authoritative, and effective implementation of judgment and righteousness. The "Branch" will not merely possess these qualities inherently but will actively administer them, ensuring that justice is not just a concept but a lived reality, a tangible outcome of His reign throughout the land.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In those days, and at that time":** This phrase serves as a crucial temporal marker, pointing to a specific, divinely appointed future period. It indicates that the fulfillment of this profound prophecy is not immediate but belongs to a future era within God's comprehensive redemptive plan, often understood as the eschatological age or the time of the Messiah's coming. It emphasizes God's sovereign timing and the absolute certainty of His promised intervention, assuring the exiles that their present suffering is not the final word.
* **"will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David":** This is the core Messianic promise of the verse. The emphatic "I will cause...to grow up" highlights God's active, sovereign, and unilateral role in bringing forth this figure; it is His divine initiative and power, not human effort or political maneuvering, that will bring this about. "The Branch of righteousness" identifies the Messiah as a descendant of David (indicated by "unto David"), who will embody and bring perfect righteousness. This signifies a new, vital shoot emerging from the "stump of Jesse" (David's father), ensuring the continuation and ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic covenant despite its apparent failure.
* **"and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land":** This clause describes the essential nature and transformative impact of the Branch's reign. The Messiah will not only be inherently righteous in character but will actively "execute" or administer "judgment" (referring to fair verdicts, legal justice, and divine law) and "righteousness" (encompassing moral uprightness, equity, and conformity to God's will) throughout the entire "land." This promises a reign of perfect justice, where divine standards are upheld without compromise, wrongs are righted, and an era of peace, order, and moral integrity prevails, standing in stark contrast to the pervasive injustice and corruption that plagued Judah in Jeremiah's day.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 33:15 is rich with several literary devices that amplify its prophetic power and theological depth. The central and most prominent device is **Metaphor**, specifically the use of "the Branch" (Hebrew: `tsemach`) to describe the coming Messiah. This metaphor powerfully evokes imagery of new growth, vitality, and renewal emerging from a seemingly barren or cut-down lineage (referring to the declining and soon-to-be-exiled house of David), symbolizing profound hope and the promise of a flourishing future. The accompanying phrase "grow up" (Hebrew: `tsâmach`) further reinforces this organic imagery of burgeoning life. The verse also employs potent **Covenant Language**, particularly by referencing "David," which immediately invokes the unconditional Davidic covenant found in [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant"). This serves to remind the audience of God's enduring and unbreakable promises, providing assurance despite their present circumstances of national decline. Furthermore, there is a clear instance of **Parallelism** in the phrase "judgment and righteousness," a common biblical pairing that emphasizes the comprehensive and holistic nature of the Messiah's just rule, where both legal rectitude and moral integrity are perfectly enacted and upheld. This repetition underscores the foundational principles of His future kingdom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 33:15 stands as a cornerstone of Old Testament Messianic prophecy, deeply interwoven with the fabric of God's unwavering covenantal faithfulness. It powerfully demonstrates God's steadfast commitment to His promises, particularly the Davidic covenant, even when human failure and national catastrophe seem to have rendered them void. The "Branch of righteousness" points unequivocally to a future king who will perfectly embody divine justice and establish a reign characterized by absolute integrity and equity, standing in stark contrast to the corrupt and unrighteous kings of Judah's recent past. This prophecy underscores the profound theological truth that God's ultimate solution to human sin and societal brokenness is not merely a restoration to a past, flawed state, but the ushering in of a new, glorious era under a divinely appointed, perfectly righteous ruler. It connects seamlessly to the broader biblical narrative of a sovereign God who meticulously works through history to bring about His redemptive purposes, culminating in the reign of His Anointed One.

* [Isaiah 11:1-5](/isaiah/11-1-5 "Isaiah 11:1-5 - The Branch from Jesse")
* [Zechariah 6:12-13](/zechariah/6-12-13 "Zechariah 6:12-13 - The Branch, Builder of the Temple")
* [Psalm 72:1-4](/psalms/72-1-4 "Psalm 72:1-4 - A Prayer for the King's Righteous Rule")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 33:15 offers profound hope and practical guidance for believers navigating the complexities of life today. It serves as a powerful reminder that even in the midst of personal trials, societal chaos, or apparent failures of human systems, God remains absolutely faithful to His promises. When we observe the brokenness of the world, the pervasive injustices, and the inherent failures of human leadership, this verse directs our gaze to the ultimate King, the "Branch of righteousness," who will one day perfectly execute judgment and righteousness. This truth should cultivate a deep, abiding trust in God's sovereign plan and His unparalleled ability to bring perfect order out of disorder. Furthermore, it calls us, as followers of this righteous King, to participate actively in His kingdom work now, striving to live righteously, advocating for justice, and embodying His character in our daily lives and spheres of influence. Our ultimate hope is not found in fleeting earthly solutions or political ideologies, but in the certain and glorious reign of the Messiah, who will ultimately set all things right and establish His eternal kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jeremiah 33:15 challenge your perspective on God's faithfulness, especially when personal circumstances or global events seem bleak or divine promises appear unfulfilled?**
* **In what tangible ways can you, as a follower of the "Branch of righteousness," actively pursue and promote justice and righteousness within your family, community, and workplace?**
* **How does the promise of a perfectly righteous King provide comfort and unwavering hope in a world often marked by profound injustice, corruption, and moral decay?**

### FAQ
**What does "the Branch of righteousness" mean in this verse?**

Answer: "The Branch of righteousness" is a pivotal Messianic title, referring to a future, divinely appointed king who will descend directly from the lineage of David. The Hebrew word for "Branch" (_tsemach_) metaphorically signifies a new shoot or sprout, symbolizing new life and vigorous growth emerging from the seemingly cut-down or dormant royal line of David. This "Branch" is uniquely characterized by "righteousness" (_tsᵉdâqâh_), meaning He will embody and administer perfect justice, moral integrity, and unwavering adherence to God's divine standards. It points directly to the Messiah, who will establish a kingdom founded on perfect equity and truth, thereby fulfilling God's ancient and unconditional promises to David (see [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - God's Covenant with David")).

**How does this prophecy relate to the Davidic Covenant?**

Answer: This prophecy is a direct reaffirmation and profound expansion of the Davidic Covenant, which God sovereignly established with King David in [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant"). In that foundational covenant, God promised David an enduring dynasty, an eternal throne, and a perpetual kingdom. By stating that God "will cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David," [Jeremiah 33:15](/jeremiah/33-15 "Jeremiah 33:15 - The Branch of Righteousness") explicitly and powerfully connects the promised future king to David's royal lineage. It assures the people that despite the current failure and impending exile of David's earthly descendants, God's promise to establish a righteous, eternal king from David's line remains unbroken and will ultimately be fulfilled through the Messiah. This highlights God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenantal word, even when human circumstances suggest otherwise.

**When will this prophecy be fulfilled, and how does it impact us today?**

Answer: The prophecy of "the Branch of righteousness" has a dual and progressive fulfillment. Its initial and decisive fulfillment is found in the first coming of Jesus Christ, who is the promised descendant of David (e.g., [Matthew 1:1](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - Genealogy of Jesus Christ"), [Romans 1:3](/romans/1-3 "Romans 1:3 - Jesus, Descendant of David")). He came as the righteous King, though His kingdom was inaugurated spiritually in the hearts of believers. The full, visible, and ultimate fulfillment, particularly concerning the comprehensive execution of "judgment and righteousness in the land," awaits His glorious second coming, when He will return to establish His visible, righteous, and eternal reign on earth (e.g., [Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11-16 "Revelation 19:11-16 - Christ's Righteous Judgment")). For believers today, this prophecy provides enduring hope, assuring us that God's perfect plan for a perfectly just world will indeed come to pass. It calls us to live in eager anticipation of His return, striving to embody the righteousness of His inaugurated kingdom in our lives now, and trusting implicitly in His sovereign control over all history.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 33:15 finds its ultimate, glorious, and complete fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. He is the quintessential "Branch of righteousness" who "grew up unto David," tracing His physical lineage directly to the ancient king, as meticulously recorded in the genealogies of [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1-17 "Matthew 1:1-17 - Genealogy of Jesus") and [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23-38 "Luke 3:23-38 - Genealogy of Jesus"). While the Davidic monarchy lay in ruins and disrepute during Jeremiah's era, Jesus emerged as the new, vibrant, and perfect shoot from the seemingly dead stump of David's house, powerfully embodying God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant. Jesus perfectly "executed judgment and righteousness" not only through His sinless life and authoritative teachings, which flawlessly revealed God's perfect standards, but supremely through His atoning death on the cross and His triumphant resurrection. On the cross, He bore the full judgment for humanity's unrighteousness, and through His resurrection, He established the basis for true righteousness for all who believe ([Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21-26 "Romans 3:21-26 - Righteousness Through Faith")). His first coming inaugurated His spiritual kingdom, a reign of grace and truth in the hearts of believers ([John 18:36-37](/john/18-36-37 "John 18:36-37 - Jesus' Kingdom is Not of This World")). The full, visible execution of "judgment and righteousness in the land," where every wrong is righted and perfect justice prevails, awaits His glorious second coming, when He will return as the King of kings and Lord of lords to establish His perfect, eternal kingdom, bringing ultimate peace, justice, and order to all creation ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11-16 "Revelation 19:11-16 - The Rider on the White Horse")). Thus, Jeremiah's ancient prophecy is a powerful testament to God's unfolding redemptive plan, culminating in Christ's past work, present reign, and future return to reign forever.

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

Isaiah 11:1

¶ And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

Isaiah 11:5

And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.

Jeremiah 23:5

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

Jeremiah 23:6

In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this [is] his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Isaiah 4:2

¶ In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth [shall be] excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.

Zechariah 3:8

¶ Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they [are] men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.

Hebrews 7:1

¶ For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;