King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 32:18 Mean?

Jeremiah 32:18 in the King James Version says “Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their childre...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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,”

Jeremiah 32:18 · KJV

Context

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

20

Which hast set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, even unto this day, and in Israel, and among other men; and hast made thee a name, as at this day;

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands—The Hebrew chesed (חֶסֶד) denotes covenant loyalty, steadfast love, unfailing kindness—God's committed faithfulness to His covenant people despite their unfaithfulness. Unto thousands echoes Exodus 20:6, where God shows chesed to thousands of generations of those who love Him. This contrasts with the following phrase: and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them, which references God's justice visiting consequences of sin on subsequent generations (Exodus 20:5, 34:7). The Hebrew shalam (שָׁלַם, recompense) means to complete, make whole, or repay—God's justice ensuring that sin's consequences are not ignored.

This paradox—God's mercy extending to thousands while also judging sin—troubled many interpreters. The key is that chesed far outweighs judgment (thousands of generations versus three or four). Moreover, Ezekiel 18 clarified that children who turn from their fathers' sins are not punished for them—the 'visiting' of iniquity refers to consequences, not guilt. Jeremiah himself affirmed this principle (Jeremiah 31:29-30). The Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is his name—El haggadol haggibbor (אֵל הַגָּדוֹל הַגִּבּוֹר) emphasizes God's absolute power and authority. He is both tenderly loving (chesed) and fearfully just, both merciful and holy. This dual nature is resolved in Christ, where God's justice and mercy meet at the cross (Romans 3:25-26).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jeremiah's prayer wrestles with the theological problem facing his generation: they were experiencing the devastating consequences of centuries of covenant unfaithfulness. The Babylonian exile was divine judgment for persistent idolatry, social injustice, and rejection of prophetic warnings (2 Kings 17:7-23, Jeremiah 25:3-11). Yet Jeremiah also knew God had promised restoration (Jeremiah 29:10-14, 31:31-34). How could God's judgment be reconciled with His covenant loyalty? This verse acknowledges both realities—God's chesed endures even as His justice operates. The exilic generation bore consequences of their fathers' sins (the dynasty of Manasseh's wickedness particularly hastened judgment, 2 Kings 23:26-27), yet those who turned to God with whole hearts would experience His chesed. The return from exile under Cyrus's decree (538 BC) demonstrated this principle: judgment was real and severe, but God's covenant faithfulness outlasted the judgment and brought restoration.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's chesed (steadfast love) extending to thousands of generations provide assurance even when experiencing consequences of past sins?
  2. What does this verse teach about the relationship between God's mercy and justice?
  3. How does the cross of Christ ultimately resolve the tension between God's lovingkindness and His requirement to judge sin?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
עֹ֤שֶׂה1 of 16

“Thou shewest”

H6213

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

חֶ֙סֶד֙2 of 16

“lovingkindness”

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

לַֽאֲלָפִ֔ים3 of 16

“unto thousands”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

וּמְשַׁלֵּם֙4 of 16

“and recompensest”

H7999

to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate

עֲוֹ֣ן5 of 16

“the iniquity”

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

אָב֔וֹת6 of 16

“of the fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

אֶל7 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

חֵ֥יק8 of 16

“into the bosom”

H2436

the bosom (literally or figuratively)

בְּנֵיהֶ֖ם9 of 16

“of their children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אַחֲרֵיהֶ֑ם10 of 16

“after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

הָאֵ֤ל11 of 16

“God”

H410

strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)

הַגָּדוֹל֙12 of 16

“them the Great”

H1419

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

הַגִּבּ֔וֹר13 of 16

“the Mighty”

H1368

powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant

יְהוָ֥ה14 of 16

“the LORD”

H3068

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

צְבָא֖וֹת15 of 16

“of hosts”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

שְׁמֽוֹ׃16 of 16

“is his name”

H8034

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

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 32:18 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 32:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 10:16Exodus 34:7Deuteronomy 5:9-10Deuteronomy 7:9-10Exodus 20:5-6Matthew 27:25

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