King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 23:6 Mean?

Jeremiah 23:6 in the King James Version says “In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LO...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Jeremiah 23:6 · KJV

Salvation

Context

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;

8

But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.

Read Jeremiah 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse reveals the purpose and effects of the Righteous Branch's reign. First, 'Judah shall be saved'—the Hebrew yiwasha (יִוָּשֵׁעַ) means delivered, rescued, or saved, the same root from which 'Jesus' (Yeshua) derives. This is more than political deliverance; it is comprehensive salvation from sin, judgment, and alienation from God. Second, 'Israel shall dwell safely'—not merely physical security but the covenant blessing of dwelling in God's presence without fear.

The name given to this King is theologically explosive: 'THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS' (YHWH Tsidqenu, יְהוָה צִדְקֵנוּ). This divine name applied to the Davidic king reveals His deity. No mere human could bear Yahweh's covenant name. This king will not merely be righteous Himself; He will be righteousness for His people. This points directly to the gospel truth that Christ's righteousness is imputed to believers—'He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him' (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Reformed theology emphasizes that salvation is 'in Christ' alone—His righteousness becomes ours through faith. We are not saved by our own righteousness (which is as filthy rags) but by Christ's perfect righteousness credited to our account. This is the doctrine of justification by faith, the heart of the gospel, prophesied here six centuries before Christ's incarnation.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The name 'THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS' directly contrasts with the last king of Judah, whose name was Zedekiah—meaning 'Yahweh is righteousness.' Zedekiah bore God's name but betrayed it through his unfaithfulness. The true King would not merely bear the name but embody it perfectly. This prophecy sustained Jewish hope through the exile and the intertestamental period, creating expectation for Messiah that Jesus fulfilled.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding Christ as 'THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS' free us from trying to establish our own righteousness?
  2. What does it mean practically that we 'dwell safely' in Christ—what fears and insecurities does this address?
  3. How does this prophecy demonstrate that salvation has always been through faith in God's promised Messiah, not through law-keeping?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
בְּיָמָיו֙1 of 12

“In his 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

תִּוָּשַׁ֣ע2 of 12

“shall be saved”

H3467

properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor

יְהוּדָ֔ה3 of 12

“Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל4 of 12

“and Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

יִשְׁכֹּ֣ן5 of 12

“shall dwell”

H7931

to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)

לָבֶ֑טַח6 of 12

“safely”

H983

properly, a place of refuge; abstract, safety, both the fact (security) and the feeling (trust); often (adverb with or without preposition) safely

וְזֶה7 of 12
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

שְּׁמ֥וֹ8 of 12

“and this is his name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

אֲֽשֶׁר9 of 12
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יִקְרְא֖וֹ10 of 12

“whereby he shall be called”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

יְהוָ֥ה׀11 of 12
H3068

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

צִדְקֵֽנוּ׃12 of 12
H6664

the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity

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 23:6 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 23:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Corinthians 1:30Philippians 3:9Jeremiah 33:16Matthew 1:21-23Romans 11:26-27Daniel 9:24

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