King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 32:19 Mean?

Jeremiah 32:19 in the King James Version says “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 ac...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Jeremiah 32:19 · KJV

Context

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;

21

And hast brought forth thy people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs, and with wonders, and with a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with great terror;

Read Jeremiah 32 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Great in counsel, and mighty in work—The Hebrew gadol etsah (גְּדֹל עֵצָה, great in counsel) emphasizes God's perfect wisdom and purposeful planning, while rav aliliyah (רַב עֲלִילִיָּה, mighty in work/deed) highlights His power to accomplish His purposes. God doesn't merely plan wisely—He executes His plans effectively. This combination assures that nothing catches God by surprise, and nothing thwarts His purposes. For thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men—Einekha pekuchot (עֵינֶיךָ פְקֻחוֹת, Your eyes are open) indicates constant, attentive observation. God sees and knows all human activity, both public and private. The phrase all the ways (kol-darkei, כָּל־דַּרְכֵי) encompasses both actions and character—the Hebrew derek (דֶּרֶךְ, way) often means lifestyle or conduct.

To give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings—This articulates the biblical principle of divine retribution: God judges based on actual conduct (derakav, דְּרָכָיו, his ways) and results (peri ma'alalav, פְּרִי מַעֲלָלָיו, fruit of his deeds). The agricultural metaphor of 'fruit' suggests that actions produce inevitable consequences—we reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7). This isn't mechanical karma but personal divine judgment. God's omniscience (seeing all ways) ensures His judgments are perfectly informed; His wisdom (great in counsel) ensures they are just; His power (mighty in work) ensures they are executed. This terrifying accountability is also comforting—injustice doesn't escape God's notice, and faithfulness will be rewarded.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jeremiah articulates these attributes of God while Jerusalem faced imminent destruction for its covenant unfaithfulness. The generation experiencing judgment might question God's wisdom or justice: Why now? Why so severely? Jeremiah's prayer acknowledges that God's judgments are neither capricious nor excessive—they correspond precisely to the people's ways and the fruit of their doings. For generations, Judah had worshiped idols, oppressed the poor, and rejected prophetic warnings. The exile was the 'fruit' of those persistent choices. Yet this same principle assured that God also saw the faithfulness of the righteous remnant (like Jeremiah and Baruch) and would reward them according to their ways. The return from exile vindicated God's perfect knowledge and justice—seventy years of judgment gave way to restoration as promised. This principle reaches its ultimate expression in Christ's judgment seat (2 Corinthians 5:10), where believers' works will be evaluated (not for salvation but for reward), and in the Great White Throne judgment (Revelation 20:12-13), where all humanity will be judged according to their deeds.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's perfect knowledge of 'all the ways of the sons of men' provide both warning and comfort?
  2. What 'fruit' are your current 'ways' (lifestyle and choices) producing, and how does this align with what you hope to reap?
  3. How should the certainty that God 'gives every one according to his ways' shape daily decisions and long-term priorities?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
גְּדֹל֙1 of 17

“Great”

H1419

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

הָֽעֵצָ֔ה2 of 17

“in counsel”

H6098

advice; by implication, plan; also prudence

וְרַ֖ב3 of 17

“and mighty”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

הָעֲלִֽילִיָּ֑ה4 of 17

“in work”

H5950

(miraculous) execution

אֲשֶׁר5 of 17
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עֵינֶ֣יךָ6 of 17

“for thine eyes”

H5869

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

פְקֻח֗וֹת7 of 17

“are open”

H6491

to open (the senses, especially the eyes); figuratively, to be observant

עַל8 of 17
H5921

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

כָּל9 of 17
H3605

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

כִּדְרָכָ֔יו10 of 17

“according to his ways”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

בְּנֵ֣י11 of 17

“of the sons”

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

אָדָ֔ם12 of 17

“of men”

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

לָתֵ֤ת13 of 17

“to give”

H5414

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

לְאִישׁ֙14 of 17

“every one”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

כִּדְרָכָ֔יו15 of 17

“according to his ways”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

וְכִפְרִ֖י16 of 17

“and according to the fruit”

H6529

fruit (literally or figuratively)

מַעֲלָלָֽיו׃17 of 17

“of his doings”

H4611

an act (good or bad)

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 32:19 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 32:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 17:10Matthew 16:27Psalms 62:12Isaiah 28:29Revelation 22:12Jeremiah 16:17

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