Jeremiah 33:26

KJV

Then will I cast away the seed of Jacob, and David my servant, [so] that I will not take [any] of his seed [to be] rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: for I will cause their captivity to return, and have mercy on them.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {H1571} will I cast away {H3988} the seed {H2233} of Jacob {H3290}, and David {H1732} my servant {H5650}, so that I will not take {H3947} any of his seed {H2233} to be rulers {H4910} over the seed {H2233} of Abraham {H85}, Isaac {H3446}, and Jacob {H3290}: for I will cause their captivity {H7622} to return {H7725}{H7725}, and have mercy {H7355} on them.

Complete Jewish Bible

then I will also reject the descendants of Ya'akov and of my servant David, not choosing from his descendants people to rule over the descendants of Avraham, Yis'chak and Ya'akov. For I will cause their captives to come back, and I will show them compassion.'"

Berean Standard Bible

then I would also reject the descendants of Jacob and of My servant David, so as not to take from his descendants rulers over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For I will restore them from captivity and will have compassion on them.”

American Standard Version

then will I also cast away the seed of Jacob, and of David my servant, so that I will not take of his seed to be rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: for I will cause their captivity to return, and will have mercy on them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 33:26 stands as an unshakeable declaration of God's unwavering faithfulness and the immutability of His covenant promises, even amidst Israel's profound unfaithfulness and the impending judgment of exile. This verse emphatically asserts that God will neither abandon the descendants of Jacob and David nor annul His commitment to their perpetual lineage and rule. Instead, it powerfully underscores His divine intention to reverse their captivity and extend His boundless mercy, thereby ensuring the ultimate fulfillment of His redemptive purposes for His chosen people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 33:26 is strategically placed within the "Book of Consolation" (Jeremiah 30-33), a pivotal section of Jeremiah's prophecy that dramatically shifts from pronouncements of severe judgment to glorious promises of restoration and hope for both Judah and Israel. Specifically, chapter 33 serves to reiterate and expand upon the absolute certainty of God's covenants, particularly the Davidic covenant and the covenant with the Levitical priesthood. The immediate preceding verses, [Jeremiah 33:20-21](/jeremiah/33-20-21 "Jeremiah 33:20-21 - God's Covenant with Day and Night"), establish a profound analogy: just as God's covenant with day and night—the fixed, unbreakable order of creation—is immutable, so too are His covenants with David and the Levites. The rhetorical question posed in verse 26 ("Then will I cast away...?") functions as a forceful negative assertion, designed to utterly dispel the people's deep-seated doubts about God's faithfulness, doubts that arose from their dire circumstances and the apparent failure of His promises. It assures them that His commitment to His chosen people is as steadfast and reliable as the cosmic order itself.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecies recorded in Jeremiah were delivered during an exceptionally tumultuous period leading up to and encompassing the Babylonian exile (605-586 BC). Judah was experiencing a catastrophic national decline, marked by pervasive spiritual apostasy and the imminent threat of foreign domination, which tragically culminated in the destruction of Jerusalem and its sacred Temple. The people, especially those already in captivity or facing it, would have felt utterly abandoned by their God, questioning the very validity and permanence of the ancient covenants made with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David. Their kingship was failing, their land was being desolated, and their national identity faced existential threat. In this profound context of despair, apparent covenant failure, and national catastrophe, Jeremiah's message of restoration was profoundly counter-cultural and counter-intuitive, offering a radical hope that defied all human logic and expectation. The explicit reference to "seed" and "rulers" directly addresses the people's most pressing concerns about the continuity of the Davidic line and the Abrahamic promise of a numerous posterity and secure land.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching and foundational themes found not only in Jeremiah but throughout the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **God's Unbreakable Covenants**, specifically reaffirming the [Abrahamic Covenant](/genesis/12-2 "Genesis 12:2 - The Abrahamic Covenant") (concerning the "seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob") and the [Davidic Covenant](/2_samuel/7-16 "2 Samuel 7:16 - The Davidic Covenant") (concerning "David my servant" and his "seed [to be] rulers"). God's rhetorical question unequivocally underscores that His promises are not contingent on human performance or faithfulness but are rooted in His own immutable character, as firm as the very laws governing creation. Secondly, it profoundly emphasizes **Divine Faithfulness**, asserting that despite Israel's profound unfaithfulness and the severe judgment of exile, God remains absolutely true to His word. His promises are inherently rooted in His divine nature, not in human merit or obedience, thereby demonstrating His enduring love and unwavering commitment to His chosen people. Lastly, the verse explicitly promises **Restoration and Mercy**, stating, "for I will cause their captivity to return, and have mercy on them." This is a direct and compassionate declaration of God's intention to reverse the exile and bring His people back to their land and into His favor, echoing similar promises of restoration found elsewhere, such as in [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Promise of Return from Captivity").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **cast away (Hebrew, _mâʼaç'_):** From a primitive root meaning "to spurn," "abhor," "reject," or "despise." In the context of Jeremiah 33:26, its use within a rhetorical question ("Then will I cast away...?") serves to emphasize the absolute impossibility of God acting in such a manner towards His chosen people. This word highlights the profound depth of God's commitment; He will never treat His chosen lineage with contempt or discard them, regardless of their failures or the severity of their judgment. It powerfully underscores the permanence and irrevocability of God's covenantal love.
* **seed (Hebrew, _zeraʻ'_):** From a root meaning "to sow," this term primarily refers to "seed" in its literal sense, but figuratively, it denotes "fruit," "plant," and, most significantly in this context, "posterity" or "descendants." In this verse, "seed of Jacob," "seed of David," and "seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" collectively represent the entire lineage of Israel. The promise concerning the "seed" is central to both the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants, encompassing not only numerical increase but also the continuity of a chosen people and a perpetual ruling dynasty.
* **return (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** A primitive root meaning "to turn back," "restore," or "bring back." It is used here in the causative sense ("I will cause their captivity to return"), directly promising the reversal of the Babylonian exile. This signifies not merely a physical return to the land but encapsulates a comprehensive restoration of relationship, divine favor, and national well-being. It highlights God's active and compassionate intervention to undo the consequences of judgment and bring about a renewed state of blessing and covenant fidelity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then will I cast away the seed of Jacob, and David my servant,"**: This opening phrase functions as a potent rhetorical question, implying an emphatic negative answer. It serves as a divine challenge to the people's doubts and despair, suggesting that God's utter rejection of Jacob's descendants (representing the nation of Israel) and David's lineage (representing the royal line) is as unthinkable and impossible as His breaking His covenant with day and night, as established in [Jeremiah 33:20-21](/jeremiah/33-20-21 "Jeremiah 33:20-21 - God's Covenant with Day and Night"). This sets the stage for a powerful and unequivocal affirmation of God's enduring covenant faithfulness.
* **"[so] that I will not take [any] of his seed [to be] rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob:"**: This clause continues the rhetorical negation, making explicit the specific aspect of the covenant that will *not* be broken: the promise of a perpetual ruling lineage from David over all Israel (the collective "seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob"). This directly addresses the profound fears of the people during the exile, who witnessed their monarchy overthrown and their national identity severely threatened. God here affirms that the Davidic line will not be utterly cut off, and His divine plan for a ruler from that line remains irrevocably intact.
* **"for I will cause their captivity to return, and have mercy on them."**: This final clause provides the divine rationale and the ultimate, compassionate promise. The conjunction "for" introduces the foundational reason why God will not cast them away: because He intends to reverse their dire fortunes. "Cause their captivity to return" (often translated as "restore their fortunes") signifies the definitive end of the Babylonian exile and their return to the promised land. This profound act of restoration is explicitly linked to God's "mercy," highlighting His compassionate and unfailing nature as the sovereign driving force behind His faithfulness and the reversal of judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 33:26 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of unwavering divine commitment and hope. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question** ("Then will I cast away...?"), which is not intended to elicit an answer but rather to emphatically assert the opposite. By framing the statement as a question, God directly challenges the people's profound doubts and underscores the absolute certainty and irrevocability of His faithfulness, making the implied "No, I will absolutely not!" resonate with far greater force and conviction. The verse also skillfully utilizes **Covenant Language**, repeatedly referencing "the seed of Jacob," "David my servant," and "the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." This deliberate invocation of the foundational promises made to Israel's patriarchs and its most revered king powerfully reinforces the idea of God's enduring commitment to His historical and sacred promises. Furthermore, the passage demonstrates clear **Parallelism** by intimately linking the non-rejection of Jacob's and David's seed with the explicit promise of returning their captivity and showing mercy. This structural arrangement creates a profound cause-and-effect relationship, where God's steadfast faithfulness to His covenant (His refusal to cast them away) is directly and tangibly manifested in His compassionate acts of restoration and divine favor.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 33:26 stands as a profound and enduring declaration of God's covenant fidelity, revealing that His promises are not ultimately conditional on human performance or faithfulness but are rooted solely in His own unchanging character and sovereign will. This verse underscores the divine irrevocability of God's election of Israel and His unwavering commitment to His grand redemptive plan for them, even through periods of severe judgment and apparent abandonment. It highlights a crucial theological truth: divine judgment is never God's final word but rather a purifying and disciplinary means to an ultimate end of restoration, driven by God's boundless mercy and steadfast love. The continuity of the "seed" of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and especially the "seed" of David, powerfully points forward to the ultimate and glorious fulfillment of these promises in the messianic age, where God's eternal rule and perfect blessing would be fully realized. This passage provides an unshakeable assurance to believers across all generations that God's word is utterly reliable, providing an anchor of hope in times of despair and a foundational understanding of His enduring, covenantal relationship with His people.

* [Genesis 17:7](/genesis/17-7 "The Everlasting Covenant with Abraham")
* [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "God's Covenant with David")
* [Romans 11:29](/romans/11-29 "God's Gifts and Call are Irrevocable")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 33:26 offers profound comfort and a robust, unshakeable foundation for faith in a world perpetually marked by uncertainty, broken promises, and fleeting allegiances. It serves as a powerful reminder that God's faithfulness is never dependent on our perfection, our unwavering obedience, or the stability of our earthly circumstances, but solely on His unchanging, immutable character and His unbreakable, eternal covenants. When we inevitably face personal failures, experience societal chaos, or confront seemingly insurmountable challenges that threaten to extinguish our hope, this verse assures us with divine certainty that God remains absolutely true to His word. It profoundly encourages us to trust deeply in His sovereign power to restore what is broken, to redeem what is lost, and to extend His boundless mercy even when we feel least deserving or most abandoned. This passage is a powerful affirmation of enduring hope, reminding us that God's ultimate plans for His people, encompassing both physical Israel and the spiritual Church, will prevail, and His promises will always find their perfect and glorious fulfillment, demonstrating His enduring love and unswerving redemptive purpose through all generations.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's rhetorical question in this verse challenge your own doubts about His faithfulness during periods of personal or collective difficulty?**
* **In what specific areas of your life do you need to trust more deeply in God's promise to "cause your captivity to return" and to "have mercy on you," even when circumstances seem bleak?**
* **How does the immutability and steadfastness of God's covenants (with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David) provide profound assurance for your own salvation, spiritual security, and future hope in Christ?**

### FAQ

**Why does God use a rhetorical question in Jeremiah 33:26?**

Answer: God uses a rhetorical question ("Then will I cast away...?") to emphatically assert the absolute opposite of what is asked. In this specific context, it serves to powerfully dispel the deep-seated doubts and despair of the people of Judah, who felt utterly abandoned and believed God might have broken His sacred covenants due to their devastating exile. By framing it as a question, God directly challenges their unbelief and underscores the absolute certainty and immutability of His promises, making it unequivocally clear that His commitment to His people and His covenants is as steadfast and unchangeable as the cosmic order He established (as referenced in [Jeremiah 33:20-21](/jeremiah/33-20-21 "Jeremiah 33:20-21 - God's Covenant with Day and Night")). It is a divine declaration of "No, absolutely not! I will never cast them away!"

**How does the "seed" mentioned in this verse relate to the broader biblical narrative?**

Answer: The "seed" (Hebrew: _zeraʻ_) in Jeremiah 33:26 refers to the descendants or posterity of Jacob (representing the nation of Israel), David, and the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This concept is foundational to God's covenant promises throughout the entire Bible. The promise to Abraham was that his "seed" would be numerous and a blessing to all nations ([Genesis 12:2-3](/genesis/12-2-3 "Genesis 12:2-3 - The Abrahamic Covenant")). The promise to David was that his "seed" would establish an everlasting kingdom and throne ([2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - God's Covenant with David")). Jeremiah 33:26 powerfully reaffirms that God will not abandon these foundational promises, thereby ensuring the continuity of Israel and the Davidic line. Ultimately, the New Testament profoundly reveals that these promises find their ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the singular "seed" of Abraham through whom all nations are blessed ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - Christ, the Seed of Abraham")) and the promised "seed" of David who reigns eternally on His throne ([Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32-33 "Luke 1:32-33 - The Angel's Prophecy to Mary")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 33:26, with its emphatic declaration of God's unwavering covenant faithfulness to the "seed of Jacob" and "David my servant," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The promise that God would not cast away David's "seed" and would ensure "rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" points directly and inexorably to the Messiah. Jesus, as the Son of David according to the flesh ([Romans 1:3](/romans/1-3 "Romans 1:3 - Concerning His Son")), is the true and eternal King who perfectly embodies and fulfills the Davidic covenant. His kingdom, though not of this world, is an everlasting dominion over all the spiritual "seed" of Abraham—those who believe by faith ([Galatians 3:7-9](/galatians/3-7-9 "Galatians 3:7-9 - Children of Abraham by Faith")). Furthermore, the promise to "cause their captivity to return, and have mercy on them" is gloriously fulfilled in Christ's redemptive work. He delivers humanity from the spiritual captivity of sin and death ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from Darkness")) and extends God's ultimate mercy through His atoning sacrifice on the cross ([Ephesians 2:4-5](/ephesians/2-4-5 "Ephesians 2:4-5 - God's Rich Mercy")). Thus, in Jesus, God's ancient and seemingly threatened promises to Israel are not annulled or discarded but are brought to their glorious, universal culmination, establishing a new and better covenant that ensures eternal mercy, spiritual restoration, and an unbreakable spiritual dominion for all who are united with Him by faith ([Hebrews 8:6-13](/hebrews/8-6-13 "Hebrews 8:6-13 - The Superiority of the New 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 31:37

Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.

Isaiah 14:1

¶ For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob.

Hosea 2:23

And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to [them which were] not my people, Thou [art] my people; and they shall say, [Thou art] my God.

Isaiah 54:8

In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.

Hosea 1:7

But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the LORD their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen.

Ezekiel 39:25

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name;

Jeremiah 31:20

[Is] Ephraim my dear son? [is he] a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD.