King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 24:7 Mean?

Jeremiah 24:7 in the King James Version says “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 ... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Jeremiah 24:7 · KJV


Context

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:

9

And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for their hurt, to be a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places whither I shall drive them. to be removed: Heb. for removing, or, vexation


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
In the vision of good and bad figs representing the exiles and those who remained in Jerusalem, God promises regarding the exiles: '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.' This anticipates the new covenant promise (31:33) of internal transformation. God will give them a heart capable of truly knowing Him—not mere intellectual knowledge but personal, relational, transformative knowledge.

The phrase 'heart to know me' emphasizes that genuine knowledge of God requires more than mental assent—it requires heart transformation. The natural heart is hard, rebellious, incapable of truly knowing God (Romans 8:7). God must perform spiritual heart surgery, removing the heart of stone and giving a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26). Only then can we know God as He truly is and respond appropriately. This is regeneration, the new birth Jesus described as essential for entering God's kingdom (John 3:3).

The promise 'they shall return unto me with their whole heart' describes genuine repentance that engages the whole person. Not merely outward conformity but wholehearted devotion. The exile would break Israel's divided loyalties and produce a remnant who truly sought God. This demonstrates God's redemptive purpose even in judgment—discipline intended to cure, not merely punish.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This vision came after the 597 BC exile when Jehoiachin and the elite were taken to Babylon. Those remaining in Jerusalem under Zedekiah considered themselves the faithful remnant, while viewing the exiles as rejected. God reverses this judgment: the exiles are the 'good figs' who will be preserved and brought back, while those remaining will be destroyed as 'bad figs.' The exile would purge unfaithfulness and produce a returning remnant with transformed hearts.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean that God must 'give' us a heart to know Him—what does this reveal about human spiritual ability?
  2. How is the 'heart to know God' different from mere intellectual knowledge about God?
  3. In what ways did God use the exile as redemptive discipline to produce wholehearted devotion in the remnant?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וְנָתַתִּי֩1 of 20

And I will give

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָהֶ֨ם2 of 20
H0
לִבָּֽם׃3 of 20

them an heart

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

לָדַ֣עַת4 of 20

to know

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

אֹתִ֗י5 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כִּ֚י6 of 20
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֲנִ֣י7 of 20
H589

i

יְהוָ֔ה8 of 20

me that I am the LORD

H3068

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

וְהָיוּ9 of 20
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לִ֣י10 of 20
H0
לְעָ֔ם11 of 20

and they shall be my people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

וְאָ֣נֹכִ֔י12 of 20
H595

i

אֶהְיֶ֥ה13 of 20
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לָהֶ֖ם14 of 20
H0
לֵאלֹהִ֑ים15 of 20

and I will be their God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

כִּֽי16 of 20
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יָשֻׁ֥בוּ17 of 20

for they shall return

H7725

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

אֵלַ֖י18 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בְּכָל19 of 20
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

לִבָּֽם׃20 of 20

them an heart

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything


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 24:7 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 24:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study