King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 32:17 Mean?

Jeremiah 32:17 in the King James Version says “Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is noth...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee: too: or, hid from thee”

Jeremiah 32:17 · KJV

Context

15

For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Houses and fields and vineyards shall be possessed again in this land.

16

Now when I had delivered the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, I prayed unto the LORD, saying,

17

Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee: too: or, hid from thee

18

Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is his name,

19

Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings: work: Heb. doing

Read Jeremiah 32 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
After completing the purchase, Jeremiah prays, beginning with worship of God as Creator. 'Thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm'—this grounds everything that follows. The God who spoke creation into existence by His word has unlimited power. The phrase 'there is nothing too hard for thee' (lo yippale mimeka kol davar, לֹא־יִפָּלֵא מִמְּךָ֖ כָּל־דָּבָֽר) literally means 'nothing is too wonderful/difficult/extraordinary for you.' No situation exceeds God's ability; no problem lacks solution; no promise is impossible to fulfill.

This confession of God's omnipotence frames Jeremiah's struggle to understand how the field he just purchased has any value when Babylon will conquer the land (vv. 24-25). He doesn't doubt God's promise—he purchased the field in obedience—but he struggles to comprehend how God will fulfill it. This models mature faith: we trust God even when we don't understand His ways. Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us that God's thoughts and ways are higher than ours.

Paul echoes this confidence in God's power: with God 'all things are possible' (Matthew 19:26); He 'is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think' (Ephesians 3:20). When God promises something, His power guarantees its fulfillment regardless of obstacles. When we doubt whether God can fulfill His promises, we should remember: He created everything that exists. Compared to that, what is too hard?

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jeremiah lived through catastrophic events—the destruction of Jerusalem, the temple's razing, the people's exile. From human perspective, these events seemed to negate God's covenant promises. How could God be faithful when His city was destroyed, His temple in ruins, His people enslaved? Jeremiah's appeal to God's creative power reminds himself and us: the God who made everything can certainly restore what was lost. Nothing is too hard for Him.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does remembering God as Creator strengthen our confidence in His promises, especially when circumstances seem impossible?
  2. What promises of God do you struggle to believe are possible—and how does 'nothing is too hard for thee' address those doubts?
  3. How can we hold together trusting God's promises (like Jeremiah did in buying the field) while honestly expressing our struggles to understand His ways?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
אֲהָהּ֮1 of 19

“Ah”

H162

oh!

אֲדֹנָ֣י2 of 19

“Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִה֒3 of 19
H3068

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

הִנֵּ֣ה׀4 of 19
H2009

lo!

אַתָּ֣ה5 of 19
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

עָשִׂ֗יתָ6 of 19

“behold thou hast made”

H6213

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

אֶת7 of 19
H853

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

הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙8 of 19

“the heaven”

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

וְאֶת9 of 19
H853

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

הָאָ֔רֶץ10 of 19

“and the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

בְּכֹֽחֲךָ֙11 of 19

“power”

H3581

vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)

הַגָּד֔וֹל12 of 19

“by thy great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

וּבִֽזְרֹעֲךָ֖13 of 19

“arm”

H2220

the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force

הַנְּטוּיָ֑ה14 of 19

“and stretched out”

H5186

to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)

לֹֽא15 of 19
H3808

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

יִפָּלֵ֥א16 of 19

“too hard”

H6381

properly, perhaps to separate, i.e., distinguish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to be (causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful

מִמְּךָ֖17 of 19
H4480

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

כָּל18 of 19
H3605

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

דָּבָֽר׃19 of 19

“and there is nothing”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

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 32:17 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 32:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 1:37Jeremiah 32:27Genesis 18:14Job 42:2Matthew 19:26Exodus 20:11

Test Your Knowledge

Jeremiah 32 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJeremiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Jeremiah 32 with CommentaryAll Jeremiah ChaptersComplete Jeremiah QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes