Jeremiah 33:2

KJV

Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD [is] his name;

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} the maker {H6213} thereof, the LORD {H3068} that formed {H3335} it, to establish {H3559} it; the LORD {H3068} is his name {H8034};

Complete Jewish Bible

"Thus says ADONAI the maker, ADONAI who formed [the universe] so as to keep directing it ADONAI is his name:

Berean Standard Bible

“Thus says the LORD who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it, the LORD is His name:

American Standard Version

Thus saith Jehovah that doeth it, Jehovah that formeth it to establish it; Jehovah is his name:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 33:2 serves as a foundational declaration of God's absolute sovereignty and creative power, delivered to the prophet Jeremiah during a time of national crisis and his own imprisonment. It emphatically asserts the identity of the LORD as the ultimate architect and sustainer of all things, particularly in relation to His divine purposes for Israel's restoration. This verse functions as a powerful preamble, anchoring the subsequent prophecies of hope, healing, and the establishment of a new covenant in the unchanging character and limitless capability of the Almighty God, whose very name signifies His eternal, self-existent faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse opens a significant prophetic oracle within the book of Jeremiah, specifically in chapter 33. It immediately follows the dramatic symbolic act of Jeremiah purchasing a field in Anathoth, even as Jerusalem was under siege by the Babylonians and facing imminent destruction ([Jeremiah 32:6-15](/jeremiah/32-6 "Jeremiah Buys a Field")). This act, commanded by God, was a powerful sign of future restoration and the return of prosperity to the land. Jeremiah 33:1 states that the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah a second time while he was confined in the court of the guard, emphasizing the divine origin and importance of the message that follows. Thus, Jeremiah 33:2 acts as a divine self-introduction, establishing the authority and character of the speaker (the LORD) before He unveils profound promises of national restoration, the Davidic covenant, and the New Covenant ([Jeremiah 33:6-26](/jeremiah/33-6 "Promises of Restoration and Covenant")). It sets the stage by reminding the despairing audience of God's ultimate power over creation and destiny.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Jeremiah 33 is the final siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian forces, around 587-586 BC. The city was on the brink of collapse, and the people of Judah faced exile, famine, and death. Jeremiah himself was imprisoned due to his unpopular prophecies of judgment and surrender. In this context of utter despair and national collapse, the declaration of God as "the maker thereof" and "the LORD that formed it, to establish it" would have been profoundly counter-cultural and counter-intuitive. Ancient Near Eastern cultures often attributed creation and destiny to various deities, but here, the God of Israel, Yahweh, asserts His singular, unchallenged authority over all things, including the seemingly irreversible fate of Judah. The emphasis on "establishing" speaks directly to the broken covenants and shattered national identity, promising a divine re-establishment that transcends human failure.

* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 33:2 powerfully introduces several key themes prevalent throughout the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Omnipotence**. God is not merely a deity among many, but the sole "maker" and "former" of all things, indicating His absolute control over creation and history. This theme is crucial for understanding the prophecies of both judgment and restoration in Jeremiah, as it underscores God's capacity to execute His will regardless of human resistance or apparent impossibility. Another central theme is **Covenant Faithfulness**. The repeated use of "the LORD" (YHWH), God's covenant name, highlights His unchanging character and His commitment to His promises, even when His people have been unfaithful. This faithfulness is the bedrock upon which the future restoration of Israel and Judah is promised, including the re-establishment of the Davidic line and the New Covenant, as detailed in [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31 "The New Covenant Promised") and later in [Jeremiah 33:14-26](/jeremiah/33-14 "God's Unbreakable Covenants"). Finally, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **Divine Purpose and Intentionality**. God does not create arbitrarily; He creates "to establish it," implying a deliberate design and an enduring purpose for His creation and His people, even through periods of severe discipline.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_ H3068):** This is the Tetragrammaton, YHWH, God's personal, covenant name revealed to Moses at the burning bush. It derives from the verb "to be" (hayah), signifying "the Self-Existent One," "the Eternal," or "He Who Is." Its repeated use in this verse (three times) is a powerful emphasis on the unchanging, faithful, and sovereign character of the God who speaks. It is not merely a title but a revelation of His very being, grounding all His subsequent promises in His eternal, unassailable nature as the covenant-keeping God of Israel.
* **formed (Hebrew, _yâtsar'_ H3335):** This verb means "to mould into a form," often used in the context of a potter shaping clay ([Isaiah 45:9](/isaiah/45-9 "God as the Potter")). It implies intentionality, skill, and precise design. Unlike 'asah (maker), which is a more general term for "doing" or "making," 'yatsar' emphasizes the deliberate, artistic, and purposeful shaping of something out of pre-existing material or even from nothing. In Jeremiah 33:2, it speaks to God's detailed craftsmanship and sovereign design in bringing about His plans, whether in creation or in the destiny of His people.
* **establish (Hebrew, _kûwn'_ H3559):** This root word means "to be erect," "to set up," "to confirm," or "to make firm/sure." It conveys the idea of stability, permanence, and preparation. When God establishes something, it is not temporary or haphazard; it is fixed, enduring, and brought to a state of security and readiness. In the context of Jeremiah's prophecies of restoration, this word is crucial. It assures the audience that despite the current upheaval and destruction, God's ultimate purpose is to firmly re-establish His people and His covenant promises, making them secure and prosperous.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof,"**: This opening phrase asserts the divine origin and authority of the message. "Thus saith the LORD" is a common prophetic formula, indicating a direct word from God. "The maker thereof" (referring to the world, or more broadly, the divine plan and purposes being discussed in the surrounding context) immediately establishes God's role as the primary agent of creation and action. The Hebrew term for "maker" (H6213, _ʻâsâh'_) is a broad verb meaning "to do or make," implying God's active involvement in bringing things into being and managing them.
* **"the LORD that formed it, to establish it;"**: This clause reiterates and expands on God's creative power. The repetition of "the LORD" (YHWH) emphasizes His identity as the covenant God. "That formed it" (H3335, _yâtsar'_) adds the nuance of intentional shaping and purposeful design, like a potter with clay. The crucial phrase "to establish it" (H3559, _kûwn'_) reveals the divine intent behind God's creative and formative work: it is not arbitrary but for the purpose of making things firm, secure, and permanent. This speaks to the enduring nature of God's plans, especially His promises of restoration for Israel.
* **"the LORD [is] his name;"**: This final declaration serves as a powerful theological anchor. By explicitly stating "the LORD is his name," the verse grounds all the preceding assertions of creation, formation, and establishment in the unchanging, self-existent, and covenant-keeping character of Yahweh. It is a statement of divine self-revelation, reminding the audience that the God who speaks these words is the same God who revealed Himself to Moses and entered into covenant with Israel, a God whose very name guarantees His faithfulness and power to fulfill His every word.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 33:2 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. **Repetition** is prominently used, with "the LORD" appearing three times in a single verse. This anaphora serves to underscore and intensely **emphasize** the identity and authority of the speaker. It is not just *a* god, but *the* LORD, Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, who is making these declarations. This repetition creates a sense of solemnity and divine gravitas. The verse also utilizes **Apposition** and **Parallelism** by describing the LORD with successive, reinforcing titles: "the maker thereof," "the LORD that formed it," and "the LORD is his name." These phrases are not merely redundant but build upon each other, progressively revealing deeper aspects of God's character and power—from general creation to intentional shaping, and finally to His very essence as revealed in His name. This cumulative effect strengthens the assertion of God's absolute sovereignty and capacity to fulfill His promises, particularly in a context of national despair.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 33:2 is a profound theological statement that grounds all of God's subsequent promises in His immutable character and limitless power. It declares that the God who speaks is not only the Creator of the cosmos but also the sovereign Lord of history, actively involved in shaping and establishing His purposes for His people. This foundational truth assures a despairing nation that the God who formed the world with intentionality is fully capable of reforming and restoring His broken covenant people. His very name, YHWH, signifies His eternal faithfulness and self-existence, guaranteeing that His word will never return void, and His plans for "healing and security" ([Jeremiah 33:6](/jeremiah/33-6 "God's Promise of Healing and Peace")) will inevitably come to pass. The verse thus sets the stage for the New Covenant promises, asserting that the God who makes such a covenant is utterly reliable because His identity is inextricably linked to His creative and establishing power.

* [Isaiah 45:18](/isaiah/45-18 "God as Creator and Establisher")
* [Exodus 3:14](/exodus/3-14 "God Reveals His Name to Moses")
* [Psalm 33:6-9](/psalm/33-6 "God's Creative Word and Power")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world often marked by chaos, uncertainty, and broken promises, Jeremiah 33:2 offers an anchor for the soul. It reminds us that the God we serve is not distant or disengaged, but actively involved as "the maker thereof" and "the LORD that formed it, to establish it." This truth provides immense comfort and stability. When our personal lives feel shattered, our plans crumble, or the future seems bleak, we can rest in the assurance that the same God who established the universe with purpose is at work in our circumstances, bringing about His good and enduring will. His name, "the LORD" (YHWH), signifies His covenant faithfulness—He is the God who keeps His promises, even when we are faithless. This verse calls us to shift our gaze from the immediate difficulties to the eternal character of God, finding hope not in our strength or circumstances, but in the unshakeable power and unwavering commitment of the One who creates, forms, and establishes all things for His glory and our good. It invites us to trust in His sovereign design, knowing that His ultimate purpose for us is always for our flourishing and the fulfillment of His redemptive plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God as "the maker" and "the former" impact your view of His control over your personal circumstances?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to trust God to "establish" things, believing in His enduring purpose despite current instability?**
* **What does the declaration "the LORD is his name" mean for your confidence in God's promises, especially when they seem delayed or impossible?**

### FAQ
**What does "the maker thereof" refer to in Jeremiah 33:2?**

Answer: While the immediate context of Jeremiah 33:2 is a message of restoration for Israel and Judah, "the maker thereof" and "that formed it, to establish it" refer broadly to God's creative and sovereign activity over all things. This includes the physical world, the nations, and specifically, His divine plans and purposes for His people. In this particular passage, it strongly emphasizes God's power and authority to bring about the future restoration and new covenant He is about to promise, demonstrating that the God who created everything out of nothing, or shaped it with intention, is fully capable of rebuilding and re-establishing His broken nation and His relationship with them, as detailed later in [Jeremiah 33:6-9](/jeremiah/33-6 "Promises of Healing and Restoration").

**Why is God's name, "the LORD," repeated multiple times in this single verse?**

Answer: The repetition of "the LORD" (YHWH) is a significant literary and theological device. It serves to emphasize the speaker's identity and authority. In Hebrew literature, repetition often indicates importance and solemnity. Here, it underscores that the one delivering these profound promises of restoration is none other than Yahweh, the self-existent, covenant-keeping God of Israel. It reinforces His unchanging character and His absolute power to fulfill what He declares, grounding the message of hope in His very being. This emphasis would have been particularly comforting and reassuring to Jeremiah and the people of Judah, who were facing imminent destruction and despair, reminding them of the unchanging nature of the God who made and sustains all things ([Isaiah 40:28](/isaiah/40-28 "God's Everlasting Power and Wisdom")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 33:2, with its powerful declaration of God as the "maker," "former," and "establisher," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "LORD" (YHWH) who speaks in this verse is the very God who, in the New Testament, is revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus, as the second person of the Trinity, is explicitly identified as the agent of creation: "All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made" ([John 1:3](/john/1-3 "Jesus as Creator")). He is the one through whom God "formed" and "established" the cosmos, and "in him all things hold together" ([Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16 "Christ as Creator and Sustainer")). Furthermore, the promise "to establish it" points directly to Christ's work of establishing a new and eternal covenant, far surpassing the old. He is the "Prince of Peace" who establishes an everlasting kingdom ([Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6 "The Coming Messiah and His Kingdom")), and through His atoning sacrifice, He establishes a new covenant in His blood, making firm and permanent the forgiveness of sins and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit ([Luke 22:20](/luke/22-20 "The New Covenant in Christ's Blood"); [Hebrews 8:6-13](/hebrews/8-6 "Christ, the Mediator of a Better Covenant")). Thus, the creative and establishing power of the LORD declared in Jeremiah 33:2 is perfectly manifested in Christ, who not only created all things but also redeems and establishes His people in an unbreakable relationship with God, securing their eternal hope and future.

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 37:26

Hast thou not heard long ago, [how] I have done it; [and] of ancient times, that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste defenced cities [into] ruinous heaps.

Exodus 15:3

The LORD [is] a man of war: the LORD [is] his name.

Exodus 6:3

And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by [the name of] God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.

Exodus 3:14

And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

Exodus 3:15

And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this [is] my name for ever, and this [is] my memorial unto all generations.

Psalms 87:5

And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her.

Isaiah 43:1

¶ But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called [thee] by thy name; thou [art] mine.