King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 30:21 Mean?

Jeremiah 30:21 in the King James Version says “And their nobles shall be of themselves, and their governor shall proceed from the midst of them; and I will cause him t... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And their nobles shall be of themselves, and their governor shall proceed from the midst of them; and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me: for who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 30:21 · KJV


Context

19

And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.

20

Their children also shall be as aforetime, and their congregation shall be established before me, and I will punish all that oppress them.

21

And their nobles shall be of themselves, and their governor shall proceed from the midst of them; and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me: for who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the LORD.

22

And ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.

23

Behold, the whirlwind of the LORD goeth forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind: it shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked. continuing: Heb. cutting fall: or, remain


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Their nobles shall be of themselves (וְהָיָה אַדִּירוֹ מִמֶּנּוּ, 've-hayah adiro mimenu')—the ruler (אַדִּיר, 'adir', mighty one/noble) comes from among the people, not foreign oppressors. Their governor shall proceed from the midst of them (וּמֹשְׁלוֹ מִקִּרְבּוֹ יֵצֵא, 'umoshlo mikirbo yetse') echoes Moses' prophecy of the Prophet-King (Deut 18:15, 18).

The shocking access: I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me (וְהִקְרַבְתִּיו וְנִגַּשׁ אֵלַי, 've-hikravtiv ve-nigash elai')—priestly language for entering God's presence. Who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? (מִי הוּא זֶה עָרַב אֶת לִבּוֹ לָגֶשֶׁת אֵלַי, 'mi hu zeh arav et libo lageshet elai')—who dares pledge himself as surety to enter the Holy Presence? Only Christ, our Priest-King from Judah's line, mediates access to God (Heb 7:22-25).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

No Davidic king sat on Jerusalem's throne after 586 BC until Christ. This prophecy's full meaning remained hidden until Jesus, the ultimate 'noble from themselves,' bridged the gap between God and humanity.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ fulfill this prophecy as both King from David's line and High Priest?
  2. What does it mean that Jesus 'engaged His heart' to approach God on your behalf?
  3. How should Christ's mediatorial role shape your boldness in approaching God's throne (Heb 4:16)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וְהָיָ֨ה1 of 20
H1961

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

אַדִּיר֜וֹ2 of 20

And their nobles

H117

wide or (generally) large; figuratively, powerful

מִמֶּ֗נּוּ3 of 20
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

וּמֹֽשְׁלוֹ֙4 of 20

shall be of themselves and their governor

H4910

to rule

מִקִּרְבּ֣וֹ5 of 20

from the midst

H7130

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

יֵצֵ֔א6 of 20

shall proceed

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

וְהִקְרַבְתִּ֖יו7 of 20

of them and I will cause him to draw near

H7126

to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose

לָגֶ֥שֶׁת8 of 20

and he shall approach

H5066

to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati

אֵלָ֑י9 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כִּי֩10 of 20
H3588

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

מִ֨י11 of 20
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

הוּא12 of 20
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

זֶ֜ה13 of 20
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

עָרַ֧ב14 of 20

unto me for who is this that engaged

H6148

to braid, i.e., intermix; technically, to traffic (as if by barter); also or give to be security (as a kind of exchange)

אֶת15 of 20
H853

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

לִבּ֛וֹ16 of 20

his heart

H3820

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

לָגֶ֥שֶׁת17 of 20

and he shall approach

H5066

to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati

אֵלַ֖י18 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

נְאֻם19 of 20

unto me saith

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָֽה׃20 of 20

the LORD

H3068

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


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 30:21 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 30:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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