King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 32:20 Mean?

Jeremiah 32:20 in the King James Version says “Which hast set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, even unto this day, and in Israel, and among other men; and hast ...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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;”

Jeremiah 32:20 · KJV

Context

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;

22

And hast given them this land, which thou didst swear to their fathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey;

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Which hast set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, even unto this day—Jeremiah recalls the otot u-mofetim (אֹתוֹת וּמֹפְתִים, signs and wonders)—the miraculous plagues through which God delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage (Exodus 7-12). The phrase even unto this day emphasizes that these historical acts of deliverance continued to testify to God's power centuries later. God's mighty works don't fade into irrelevance—they remain perpetual testimony to His character and covenant faithfulness. And in Israel, and among other men—God's powerful acts weren't limited to Egypt. Throughout Israel's history (conquest of Canaan, victories over enemies, prophetic miracles) and among the nations, God demonstrated His sovereignty. Even pagan nations witnessed God's power when He judged Assyria, raised up Babylon, and would later overthrow Babylon through Persia.

And hast made thee a name, as at this day—The Hebrew asah shem (עָשָׂה שֵׁם, made a name) means to establish a reputation. God's redemptive acts secured His renown among all peoples. When Rahab hid the Israelite spies, she testified that all Canaan had heard of God's mighty works and trembled (Joshua 2:9-11). God's 'name' represents His revealed character—His power, holiness, faithfulness, and covenant love. Significantly, Jeremiah prays this while Jerusalem faces destruction. Has God's name become mockery among the nations (Psalm 79:10)? No—the same God who judged Egypt would judge Babylon, and the same God who delivered Israel from Egypt would deliver them from Babylon. God's reputation endures through both salvation and judgment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jeremiah's reference to the Exodus roots his present crisis in Israel's foundational salvation history. The Exodus (circa 1446 or 1260 BC, depending on dating) remained central to Jewish identity and theology. It demonstrated that Israel's God was not a local deity but sovereign over the mightiest empire of that era. The plagues systematically humiliated Egypt's gods—the Nile (Hapi), the sun (Ra), the frog goddess (Heqet), etc.—proving YHWH's supremacy. These events became permanent testimony, retold in Passover celebrations, enshrined in Torah, and referenced by prophets, psalmists, and eventually New Testament writers (Acts 7:36, Hebrews 11:29). Jeremiah's generation faced the theological crisis of seeing God apparently 'defeated' by Babylon's gods. By recalling the Exodus, Jeremiah affirms that God's power hasn't diminished—He who overthrew Egypt would overthrow Babylon. Indeed, Cyrus the Persian conquered Babylon in 539 BC, and Isaiah prophesied this deliverance in explicitly Exodus-like terms (Isaiah 43:16-21, 51:9-11). The 'name' God made for Himself in the Exodus endures eternally, ultimately revealed fully in Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:9-11).

Reflection Questions

  1. How should remembering God's past faithfulness (like the Exodus) strengthen faith during present crises?
  2. What does it mean that God's 'signs and wonders' testify 'even unto this day,' and how does Scripture preserve this testimony?
  3. How does God's concern for making Himself 'a name' (establishing His reputation) relate to His purposes in both salvation and judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
אֲשֶׁר1 of 16
H834

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

שַׂ֠מְתָּ2 of 16

“Which hast set”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

אֹת֨וֹת3 of 16

“signs”

H226

a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc

וּמֹפְתִ֤ים4 of 16

“and wonders”

H4159

a miracle; by implication, a token or omen

בְּאֶֽרֶץ5 of 16

“in the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרַ֙יִם֙6 of 16

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

עַד7 of 16
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

כַּיּ֥וֹם8 of 16

“as at this day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַזֶּ֔ה9 of 16
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

וּבְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל10 of 16

“and in Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וּבָֽאָדָ֑ם11 of 16

“and among other men”

H120

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

וַתַּעֲשֶׂה12 of 16

“and hast made”

H6213

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

לְּךָ֥13 of 16
H0
שֵׁ֖ם14 of 16

“thee a name”

H8034

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

כַּיּ֥וֹם15 of 16

“as at this day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַזֶּֽה׃16 of 16
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

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 32:20 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 32:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Nehemiah 9:10Exodus 9:16Acts 7:36Psalms 135:9Exodus 10:2Daniel 9:15

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Jeremiah 32 →

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