King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 23:5 Mean?

Jeremiah 23:5 in the King James Version says “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosp...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.”

Jeremiah 23:5 · KJV

Context

3

And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.

4

And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.

5

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

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. THE LORD: Heb. Jehovahtsidkenu

7

Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;

Read Jeremiah 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse contains one of the Old Testament's clearest Messianic prophecies. The 'righteous Branch' (tsemach tsaddiq, צֶמַח צַדִּיק) refers to a descendant from David's line who will perfectly fulfill the kingly calling that Judah's recent rulers had catastrophically failed. The Branch imagery appears elsewhere in Isaiah (4:2; 11:1), Jeremiah (33:15), and Zechariah (3:8; 6:12), always pointing to the coming Messiah.

The description is comprehensive: He will be 'raised unto David' (fulfilling the Davidic covenant), He will be 'righteous' (in contrast to corrupt kings), He will 'reign and prosper' (exercising successful sovereignty), and He will 'execute judgment and justice in the earth' (establishing true righteousness). This King will accomplish everything Judah's failed monarchs could not. The emphasis on righteousness and justice directly contrasts with leaders who perverted justice and practiced wickedness.

Reformed theology recognizes this as a prophecy of Christ's first and second advents. At His first coming, Jesus was born of David's line (Matthew 1:1; Luke 2:4) and began His reign, though rejected by His own people. At His second coming, He will establish His kingdom fully, executing judgment and justice throughout the earth. The Branch has already been raised; His kingdom is growing; His final victory is certain.

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Historical & Cultural Context

When this prophecy was given, David's line seemed finished—Jehoiachin (also called Coniah or Jeconiah) was cursed so that none of his descendants would prosper on David's throne (22:30). Yet God's promise to David was unconditional (2 Samuel 7:12-16). The solution came through the virgin birth: Jesus was David's descendant through Mary (legal heir through adoption by Joseph, biological descendant through Mary), thus fulfilling both the promise and bypassing the curse on Jeconiah's line.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus fulfill each aspect of this Messianic prophecy—righteous, reigning, prospering, executing judgment and justice?
  2. What does it mean that Christ is the 'Branch' from David's line—something that grows from what seemed dead?
  3. How should we live now in light of the certainty that Christ will return to establish His kingdom fully?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
הִנֵּ֨ה1 of 16
H2009

lo!

יָמִ֤ים2 of 16

“Behold the days”

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

בָּאִים֙3 of 16

“come”

H935

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

נְאֻם4 of 16

“saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֔ה5 of 16

“the LORD”

H3068

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

וַהֲקִמֹתִ֥י6 of 16

“that I will raise”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

לְדָוִ֖ד7 of 16

“unto David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

צֶ֣מַח8 of 16

“Branch”

H6780

a sprout (usually concrete), literal or figurative

צַדִּ֑יק9 of 16

“a righteous”

H6662

just

וּמָ֤לַךְ10 of 16

“shall reign”

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

מֶ֙לֶךְ֙11 of 16

“and a King”

H4428

a king

וְהִשְׂכִּ֔יל12 of 16

“and prosper”

H7919

to be (causatively, make or act) circumspect and hence, intelligent

וְעָשָׂ֛ה13 of 16

“and shall execute”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

מִשְׁפָּ֥ט14 of 16

“judgment”

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

וּצְדָקָ֖ה15 of 16

“and justice”

H6666

rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)

בָּאָֽרֶץ׃16 of 16

“in the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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 23:5 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 23:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 4:2Luke 1:32-33Isaiah 52:13Isaiah 9:7Zechariah 6:12-13Zechariah 3:8

Test Your Knowledge

Jeremiah 23 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJeremiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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