King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 16:19 Mean?

Jeremiah 16:19 in the King James Version says “O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit.

Jeremiah 16:19 · KJV


Context

17

For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes.

18

And first I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double; because they have defiled my land, they have filled mine inheritance with the carcases of their detestable and abominable things.

19

O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit.

20

Shall a man make gods unto himself, and they are no gods?

21

Therefore, behold, I will this once cause them to know, I will cause them to know mine hand and my might; and they shall know that my name is The LORD. The LORD: or, JEHOVAH


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse envisions Gentile nations turning from idolatry to worship the true God - a remarkable prophecy of global gospel expansion. The threefold confession 'lies,' 'vanity,' and 'things wherein there is no profit' echoes Paul's language about the emptiness of idol worship (1 Cor 8:4). God's sovereignty extends to all nations; He will draw them to Himself through the proclamation of His truth.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Prophesied at a time when Israel itself was plunging into idolatry. The idea that pagan nations would one day abandon their gods to worship Yahweh seemed impossible, yet God promises exactly this.

Reflection Questions

  1. What modern 'lies' and 'vanities' do people inherit from their ancestors?
  2. How does this prophecy inform your understanding of missions and God's global purposes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
יְהוָ֞ה1 of 20

O LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

עֻזִּ֧י2 of 20

my strength

H5797

strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)

וּמָעֻזִּ֛י3 of 20

and my fortress

H4581

a fortified place; figuratively, a defense

וּמְנוּסִ֖י4 of 20

and my refuge

H4498

a retreat (literally or figuratively); abstractly, a fleeing

בְּי֣וֹם5 of 20

in the day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

צָרָ֑ה6 of 20

of affliction

H6869

transitively, a female rival

אֵלֶ֗יךָ7 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

גּוֹיִ֤ם8 of 20

the Gentiles

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

יָבֹ֙אוּ֙9 of 20

shall come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

מֵֽאַפְסֵי10 of 20

unto thee from the ends

H657

cessation, i.e., an end (especially of the earth); often used adverb, no further; also the ankle (in the dual), as being the extremity of the leg or f

אָ֔רֶץ11 of 20

of the earth

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וְיֹאמְר֗וּ12 of 20

and shall say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אַךְ13 of 20
H389

a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only

שֶׁ֙קֶר֙14 of 20

lies

H8267

an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)

נָחֲל֣וּ15 of 20

have inherited

H5157

to inherit (as a (figurative) mode of descent), or (generally) to occupy; causatively, to bequeath, or (generally) distribute, instate

אֲבוֹתֵ֔ינוּ16 of 20

Surely our fathers

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

הֶ֖בֶל17 of 20

vanity

H1892

emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb

וְאֵֽין18 of 20
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

בָּ֥ם19 of 20
H0
מוֹעִֽיל׃20 of 20

and things wherein there is no profit

H3276

properly, to ascend; figuratively, to be valuable (objectively; useful, subjectively; benefited)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 16:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 16:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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