Jeremiah 50:20

KJV

In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and [there shall be] none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve.

KJV (with Strong's)

In those days {H3117}, and in that time {H6256}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}, the iniquity {H5771} of Israel {H3478} shall be sought for {H1245}, and there shall be none; and the sins {H2403} of Judah {H3063}, and they shall not be found {H4672}: for I will pardon {H5545} them whom I reserve {H7604}.

Complete Jewish Bible

In those days, at that time," says ADONAI, "Isra'el's guilt will be sought, but there will be none, and Y'hudah's sins, but they won't be found; for I will pardon the remnant I leave.

Berean Standard Bible

In those days and at that time, declares the LORD, a search will be made for Israel’s guilt, but there will be none, and for Judah’s sins, but they will not be found; for I will forgive the remnant I preserve.

American Standard Version

In those days, and in that time, saith Jehovah, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I leave as a remnant.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 50:20 delivers a profound prophetic declaration of God's future, complete forgiveness and restoration for both Israel and Judah. Amidst prophecies of judgment against Babylon, this verse pivots to offer a powerful promise that in a coming era, their deep-seated iniquity and sins will be sought but utterly unfound, for the Lord Himself will grant full pardon to those He preserves. It speaks to a divine act of cleansing so thorough that the very memory or trace of their transgressions will vanish from God's sight, highlighting His sovereign grace and unwavering covenant faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 50:20 is strategically placed within the extensive oracle against Babylon (chapters 50-51), which details God's impending judgment on the nation that served as His instrument of discipline against Judah. While the surrounding verses vividly describe Babylon's downfall and the liberation of God's people from captivity, this particular verse marks a significant and hopeful thematic shift. It moves from the pronouncement of judgment upon the oppressor to a focus on the spiritual condition and future restoration of the oppressed—both Israel (the northern kingdom, long dispersed) and Judah (the southern kingdom, currently in exile). This placement underscores that God's ultimate purpose is not merely punitive towards Babylon, but redemptive and purifying for His covenant people. The verse serves as a beacon of divine grace, contrasting the destruction of their enemies with the promise of spiritual renewal and complete forgiveness for His chosen nation, demonstrating His enduring commitment to them even amidst their profound failures and subsequent discipline.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting for Jeremiah 50 is the Babylonian exile, a period initiated by Nebuchadnezzar's conquests in the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple in 586 BCE. Both the northern kingdom of Israel (conquered by Assyria in 722 BCE) and the southern kingdom of Judah were in states of dispersion or captivity due to their persistent idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, sin was often viewed as a tangible defilement that brought divine wrath, societal consequences, and a stain upon one's record. The concept of "seeking" for sin and finding "none" would have resonated deeply with a people burdened by guilt and the visible evidence of divine judgment (e.g., their ruined land and temple). This promise implies a legal and spiritual acquittal, a divine act of expunging the record of their offenses, which was culturally significant in a context where justice often involved meticulous accounting and retribution. It speaks to a profound reversal of their condemned status.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Forgiveness**, emphasizing God's unique capacity and unwavering desire to pardon His people's transgressions completely. The language of sin being "sought for, and there shall be none" and "not be found" signifies a radical and absolute removal, not merely an overlooking, of guilt. Secondly, it speaks to **Future Restoration**, linking this profound forgiveness to a specific "time" and "days" when Israel and Judah will be reunited and reconciled with God. This aligns with Jeremiah's broader prophecies of a return from exile and the establishment of a new covenant, as detailed in [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant Promise"), where God's law would be written on their hearts and their sins remembered no more. Thirdly, the phrase "whom I reserve" introduces the theme of the **Remnant**, indicating that this full pardon is granted to those whom God, in His sovereign grace, chooses to preserve and bring back to Himself, ensuring the continuity of His covenant people despite their widespread apostasy and judgment. This concept of a faithful remnant is crucial throughout prophetic books, including [Jeremiah 23:3](/jeremiah/23-3 "Jeremiah 23:3 - Gathering the Scattered Remnant").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **iniquity (Hebrew, _ʻâvôn'_):** This term (H5771) refers to perversity, moral evil, or fault. It encompasses not just the act of sin but also its inherent twistedness, the deviation from God's righteous standard, and the guilt or punishment associated with it. The use of 'iniquity' alongside 'sins' (chaṭṭâʼâh, H2403, meaning 'offence' or 'sin-offering') emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the moral failings of Israel and Judah, covering both their deep-seated perversion and their specific transgressions.
* **sought for (Hebrew, _bâqash'_):** The verb (H1245) means "to search out," "to make inquisition," or "to strive after." It implies a diligent and thorough investigation, as one might search for evidence or a lost item. The promise that their iniquity will be "sought for, and none" powerfully conveys that despite an exhaustive divine search, no trace of their sin will be found, underscoring the completeness and finality of God's removal of guilt.
* **pardon (Hebrew, _çâlach'_):** This primitive root (H5545) means "to forgive" or "to spare." It is almost exclusively used in the Old Testament to describe God's act of forgiving sin. Unlike human forgiveness, which can be conditional or partial, God's pardon is absolute, divinely initiated, and transformative. The active voice "I will pardon" highlights God's sovereign initiative and power in bestowing this forgiveness, which results in the complete disappearance of the sins from His sight.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD,"**: This introductory phrase, a common prophetic marker, signals a future, divinely appointed era. The repetition of "days" (yôwm, H3117) and "time" (ʻêth, H6256) emphasizes a specific, significant period in God's redemptive plan. The declaration "saith the LORD" (nᵉʼum Yᵉhôvâh, H5002, H3068) establishes the absolute authority and certainty of the prophecy, indicating it is an oracle directly from the self-existent, eternal God of Israel, ensuring its unfailing fulfillment.
* **"the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and [there shall be] none;"**: This clause promises a thorough divine investigation into the moral perversity and fault of Israel (Yisrâʼêl, H3478), the northern kingdom. The active search ("sought for") followed by the emphatic "none" (implying complete absence) conveys the radical and complete eradication of their guilt. It signifies that their sin is not merely overlooked but removed to the point of non-existence in God's sight, a divine act of expunging the record.
* **"and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found:"**: Parallel to the previous clause, this extends the promise of absolute forgiveness to Judah (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063), the southern kingdom. The term "sins" (chaṭṭâʼâh, H2403) refers to specific offenses and transgressions. The declaration "they shall not be found" (mâtsâʼ, H4672, meaning 'to be found' or 'to exist') reinforces the absolute nature of the forgiveness. Even if one were to search diligently, the sins would be undiscoverable, signifying a divine cleansing that leaves no trace or lingering accusation.
* **"for I will pardon them whom I reserve."**: This final clause provides the divine rationale and condition for the preceding promises. The "for" indicates cause or reason. God's act of "pardoning" (çâlach, H5545) is the direct cause of the sins being unfound. The phrase "whom I reserve" (shâʼar, H7604, meaning 'to leave,' 'to remain,' 'remnant') refers to those whom God, by His sovereign grace, preserves and keeps for Himself, often referring to the faithful remnant. This highlights that the comprehensive forgiveness is a work of God's electing grace, applied to those He chooses to redeem and restore, ensuring the continuity of His covenant people.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 50:20 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of radical forgiveness and restoration. **Parallelism** is prominently featured, specifically **synonymous parallelism**, where the two halves of the verse reiterate the same profound idea using different but related terms: "the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and [there shall be] none" is paralleled with "and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found." This repetition amplifies the message of complete eradication of sin for both branches of God's people, reinforcing the totality of divine pardon. The use of **Hyperbole** is also evident in the vivid imagery of sins being "sought for" but utterly "unfound." This is an exaggeration for effect, emphasizing the absolute and exhaustive nature of God's pardon, suggesting that the sins are not just forgiven but divinely erased from memory or record. The phrase "saith the LORD" functions as a **Divine Oracle**, lending ultimate authority and certainty to the prophecy, underscoring that this is not a human wish or a mere possibility, but a divine decree that will assuredly come to pass. Finally, there's an implied **Metaphor** of sin as something that can be searched for or located, which then becomes absent, making the abstract concept of forgiveness tangible and concrete and highlighting its comprehensive nature.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 50:20 stands as a powerful testament to the depth of God's mercy and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people. Theologically, it underscores that divine forgiveness is not a mere overlooking of sin but a profound act of cleansing and removal, so complete that the sin effectively ceases to exist in God's remembrance. This radical pardon is rooted in God's sovereign character—His justice demands accountability for sin, yet His boundless love provides the means for its complete expiation. The verse also highlights the theme of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, even when His people have been unfaithful. The "reserving" of a remnant speaks to God's electing grace, ensuring that His redemptive purposes will be fulfilled through a people purified by His own hand. This promise foreshadows the New Covenant, where the internal transformation and complete forgiveness of sins become the hallmark of God's renewed relationship with humanity, pointing to a definitive solution for the problem of human sin.

* [Jeremiah 31:34](/jeremiah/31-34 "Jeremiah 31:34 - I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more")
* [Isaiah 43:25](/isaiah/43-25 "Isaiah 43:25 - I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions")
* [Micah 7:18-19](/micah/7-18-19 "Micah 7:18-19 - Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 50:20 offers profound comfort and hope to all who grapple with the weight of their past failures and present imperfections. It reminds us that God's forgiveness, when truly embraced through faith, is not partial or temporary, but absolute and eternal. For the believer, this means freedom from the haunting accusations of guilt and shame, knowing that our sins, once confessed and repented of, are utterly removed from God's sight, as if they never existed. This radical grace should inspire deep gratitude and a renewed commitment to living a life that honors such a merciful God. It liberates us to serve Him not out of fear of punishment, but out of overwhelming love for the One who has so completely pardoned us. This promise of ultimate spiritual restoration encourages us to trust in God's power to transform even the most broken lives and circumstances, knowing that His redemptive plan for His people will ultimately prevail, bringing about a profound and lasting peace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the idea of God "seeking" for your sins but finding "none" impact your understanding of divine forgiveness and your personal sense of worth before Him?**
* **In what areas of your life do you still carry the burden of past sin, despite having sought forgiveness? How can this verse encourage you to fully embrace God's complete pardon and release the weight of self-condemnation?**
* **What does "them whom I reserve" teach us about God's sovereign grace in salvation? How does this influence your view of your own standing before Him and your assurance of salvation?**
* **How should the certainty of God's future restoration and complete forgiveness for His people shape our hope and perseverance in the present, especially when facing trials or spiritual struggles?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse mean Israel and Judah will never sin again?**

Answer: No, this verse does not imply that Israel and Judah will never sin again in an absolute sense. Rather, it speaks to a future time when God's forgiveness will be so complete and absolute that their past iniquities and sins, which led to their exile and suffering, will be entirely expunged from His record. It signifies a new spiritual standing and a radical act of divine cleansing, particularly in the context of their covenant relationship with God. While future sin is always a possibility for humanity, this verse points to the foundational and comprehensive nature of God's pardon under the New Covenant, where He promises to "remember their sin no more" ([Jeremiah 31:34](/jeremiah/31-34 "Jeremiah 31:34 - I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more")).

**How does this verse relate to the New Covenant?**

Answer: Jeremiah 50:20 is a powerful foreshadowing and theological precursor to the New Covenant, explicitly detailed in [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant Promise"). The promise of sins being "sought for, and none" and "not be found" directly parallels the New Covenant's promise of complete forgiveness and the divine act of remembering sins no more. Under the Old Covenant, sins required repeated sacrifices and were continually brought to remembrance, highlighting their ongoing presence. This verse, however, points to a definitive, once-for-all removal of sin, which is fully realized through the atoning work of Jesus Christ, the mediator of the New Covenant, establishing a new and permanent basis for reconciliation with God.

**Is this forgiveness for all people, or only Israel and Judah?**

Answer: While the immediate context of Jeremiah 50:20 specifically addresses "Israel" and "Judah" as God's covenant people, the theological principle of profound, complete divine forgiveness extends beyond ethnic Israel to all who are brought into the New Covenant through faith in Jesus Christ. The New Testament teaches that believers from all nations are grafted into the spiritual heritage of Israel ([Romans 11:17](/romans/11-17 "Romans 11:17 - Grafted in among them")) and become part of the "Israel of God" ([Galatians 6:16](/galatians/6-16 "Galatians 6:16 - The Israel of God")). Therefore, the promise of sins being utterly removed is a spiritual reality for all who repent and believe, as God's pardon is offered universally through Christ, making His radical forgiveness available to Jew and Gentile alike.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 50:20 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The prophetic declaration that the iniquity and sins of God's people would be "sought for, and none" and "not be found" is not merely a legal decree but a divine act made possible through the Lamb of God. Jesus, as the perfect sacrifice, bore the full weight of humanity's sin, becoming "sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us")). Through His atoning death on the cross, He completely satisfied the demands of divine justice, thereby making true and absolute pardon available. The promise that God would "pardon them whom I reserve" is realized in Christ, who gathers His elect from every nation, bringing them into a new covenant relationship where their sins are not just covered, but truly removed from God's sight. As the writer of Hebrews states, quoting Jeremiah's New Covenant promise, "Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more" ([Hebrews 10:17](/hebrews/10-17 "Hebrews 10:17 - Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more")). Thus, in Christ, there is "now no condemnation" ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - There is therefore now no condemnation")) for those who are in Him, because He has "forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us" ([Colossians 2:13-14](/colossians/2-13-14 "Colossians 2:13-14 - Having forgiven you all trespasses")). He is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to utterly remove sin from His people, establishing an eternal and perfect redemption.

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

Micah 7:19

He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

Jeremiah 31:34

And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

Isaiah 43:25

I, [even] I, [am] he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Isaiah 1:9

Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, [and] we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

Hebrews 10:17

And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

Hebrews 10:18

Now where remission of these [is, there is] no more offering for sin.

Psalms 103:12

As far as the east is from the west, [so] far hath he removed our transgressions from us.