King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 24:6 Mean?

Jeremiah 24:6 in the King James Version says “For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pu...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up.”

Jeremiah 24:6 · KJV

Context

4

Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

5

Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for their good. them: Heb. the captivity

6

For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up.

7

And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.

8

And as the evil figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so evil; surely thus saith the LORD, So will I give Zedekiah the king of Judah, and his princes, and the residue of Jerusalem, that remain in this land, and them that dwell in the land of Egypt:

Read Jeremiah 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God promises to set His eyes upon the exiles 'for good' and bring them back to the land. He will 'build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up.' This agricultural imagery reverses Jeremiah's commission to 'root out, and to pull down, and to destroy' (1:10). After judgment accomplishes its purpose, restoration begins.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This promise applied to those taken in the first deportation (597 BC). They would form the core of the restored community after 70 years.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the imagery of God building and planting encourage you after seasons of loss?
  2. What does it mean that God's eyes are upon you 'for good'?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וְשַׂמְתִּ֨י1 of 14

“For I will set”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

עֵינִ֤י2 of 14

“mine eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

עֲלֵיהֶם֙3 of 14
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

לְטוֹבָ֔ה4 of 14

“upon them for good”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

וַהֲשִׁבֹתִ֖ים5 of 14

“and I will bring them again”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

עַל6 of 14
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָאָ֣רֶץ7 of 14

“to this land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הַזֹּ֑את8 of 14
H2063

this (often used adverb)

וּבְנִיתִים֙9 of 14

“and I will build”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

וְלֹ֣א10 of 14
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אֶהֱרֹ֔ס11 of 14

“them and not pull them down”

H2040

to pull down or in pieces, break, destroy

וּנְטַעְתִּ֖ים12 of 14

“and I will plant”

H5193

properly, to strike in, i.e., fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively)

וְלֹ֥א13 of 14
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אֶתּֽוֹשׁ׃14 of 14

“them and not pluck them up”

H5428

to tear away

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 24:6 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 24:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 42:10Jeremiah 29:10Jeremiah 33:7Jeremiah 32:41Jeremiah 12:15Jeremiah 1:10

Test Your Knowledge

Jeremiah 24 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJeremiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Jeremiah 24 with CommentaryAll Jeremiah ChaptersComplete Jeremiah QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes