In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this [is the name] wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness.
In those days {H3117} shall Judah {H3063} be saved {H3467}, and Jerusalem {H3389} shall dwell {H7931} safely {H983}: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called {H7121}, The LORD our righteousness {H3072}.
When those days come, Y'hudah will be saved, Yerushalayim will live in safety, and the name given to her will be ADONAI Tzidkenu [ADONAI our Righteousness]."
In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely, and this is the name by which it will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.
In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely; and this is the name whereby she shall be called: Jehovah our righteousness.
-
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. -
1 Corinthians 1:30
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: -
Isaiah 45:17
[But] Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end. -
Philippians 3:9
¶ And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: -
2 Corinthians 5:21
For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. -
Romans 11:26
And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: -
Isaiah 45:22
Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I [am] God, and [there is] none else.
Jeremiah 33:16 is a profound verse within the "Book of Consolation" (Jeremiah 30-33), offering a glimpse into God's future plans for His people amidst their present suffering and impending exile. It speaks of a time of ultimate restoration and security, rooted in God's own character.
Context of Jeremiah 33:16
This prophecy was delivered by Jeremiah during a period of intense national crisis for Judah, specifically while he was imprisoned in the court of the guard (Jeremiah 33:1). Jerusalem was under siege by the Babylonians, and the nation faced imminent destruction and exile. Despite this bleak reality, God gives Jeremiah messages of hope, promising a future return from captivity, national renewal, and the establishment of a righteous kingdom. Verse 16 builds directly upon the promise of a "righteous Branch" from David, a Messianic figure (Jeremiah 33:15), emphasizing the source of this future peace and security.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The pivotal phrase, "The LORD our righteousness," is a direct translation of the Hebrew YHWH Tsidkenu (יהוה צדקנו). YHWH is God's sacred, covenant name, often rendered as "LORD" in English Bibles. Tsidkenu means "our righteousness." This is not merely a descriptive title, but a declaration of God's active role in providing righteousness for His people. It signifies that God Himself *is* their righteousness, making them righteous through His covenant and ultimately, through His Son.
Related Scriptures
This verse finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. As 1 Corinthians 1:30 states, Christ Jesus "is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." He is the righteous Branch who brings salvation and peace. The promise of Judah and Jerusalem dwelling safely points to the spiritual security believers find in Christ, as well as the future establishment of God's perfect kingdom. 2 Corinthians 5:21 beautifully summarizes this: "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
Reflection and Practical Application
For believers today, Jeremiah 33:16 serves as a powerful reminder that our salvation, peace, and security are not based on our own efforts or goodness, but entirely on God's righteousness provided through Christ. In times of uncertainty or distress, we can cling to the truth that the LORD Himself is our righteousness (YHWH Tsidkenu). This verse encourages us to trust in God's faithfulness to His promises, knowing that He is fully capable of bringing about His perfect plan of restoration and peace, both individually and universally.