King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 32:21 Mean?

Jeremiah 32:21 in the King James Version says “And hast brought forth thy people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs, and with wonders, and with a strong hand, ...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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;”

Jeremiah 32:21 · KJV

Context

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;

23

And they came in, and possessed it; but they obeyed not thy voice, neither walked in thy law; they have done nothing of all that thou commandedst them to do: therefore thou hast caused all this evil to come upon them:

Read Jeremiah 32 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And hast brought forth thy people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs, and with wonders—Jeremiah continues his Exodus remembrance, emphasizing that Israel's deliverance was accomplished with signs (be-otot, בְּאֹתוֹת, miraculous indicators of divine intervention) and with wonders (u-ve-mofetim, וּבְמֹפְתִים, extraordinary marvels). These terms describe the plagues and miraculous events that compelled Pharaoh to release Israel. And with a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm—Be-yad chazaqah u-vi-zeroa netuyah (בְּיָד חֲזָקָה וּבִזְרוֹעַ נְטוּיָה) became the standard formulaic description of the Exodus (Deuteronomy 4:34, 5:15, 26:8). The 'strong hand' emphasizes God's might and power to save; the 'stretched out arm' depicts God actively intervening, reaching down to rescue His people. These anthropomorphic expressions communicate that God personally and powerfully acted on Israel's behalf.

And with great terror—U-ve-mora gadol (וּבְמֹרָא גָדוֹל) refers to the fear and dread that fell upon Egypt and the surrounding nations when they witnessed God's judgments. The word mora (מֹרָא) indicates awesome, terrifying reverence—the proper response to encountering divine holiness and power. Deuteronomy 4:34 asks rhetorically whether any god had ever attempted such deliverance, concluding that Israel alone had witnessed such divine intervention. This catalog of divine power—signs, wonders, strong hand, outstretched arm, great terror—assures Jeremiah that the same God can and will deliver from Babylon.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Exodus deliverance occurred when Israel was enslaved in Egypt for approximately 400 years (Genesis 15:13-14). God's intervention through Moses included ten plagues climaxing in the death of Egypt's firstborn, followed by the miraculous Red Sea crossing that destroyed Pharaoh's pursuing army. This deliverance established Israel as God's covenant people and demonstrated His sovereignty over the greatest world power of that era. The 'great terror' (mora gadol) that fell on nations is documented in Exodus 15:14-16—when peoples heard of God's mighty acts, dread and fear seized them. This reputation preceded Israel's conquest of Canaan (Joshua 2:9-11, 9:9-10). For Jeremiah's generation, remembering the Exodus was crucial. If God could deliver powerless slaves from mighty Egypt, He could deliver exiled Judeans from Babylon. The prophesied 'new exodus' from Babylon (Isaiah 40-55, Jeremiah 16:14-15, 23:7-8) would demonstrate that God's 'strong hand' and 'outstretched arm' remained powerful to save. This theme reaches ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who delivers from slavery to sin through His death and resurrection—the greatest exodus (Luke 9:31 uses the Greek word 'exodus' for Jesus's departure/death).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the detailed description of God's power in the Exodus ('signs, wonders, strong hand, outstretched arm, great terror') provide assurance in present difficulties?
  2. What 'impossible' situation in your life needs God's 'strong hand' and 'outstretched arm' to intervene?
  3. How does the ultimate 'exodus' accomplished by Christ's death and resurrection fulfill and surpass the original Exodus from Egypt?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַתֹּצֵ֛א1 of 15

“And hast brought forth”

H3318

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

אֶת2 of 15
H853

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

עַמְּךָ֥3 of 15

“thy people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אֶת4 of 15
H853

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל5 of 15

“Israel”

H3478

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

מֵאֶ֣רֶץ6 of 15

“out of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרָ֑יִם7 of 15

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

בְּאֹת֣וֹת8 of 15

“with signs”

H226

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

וּבְמוֹפְתִ֗ים9 of 15

“and with wonders”

H4159

a miracle; by implication, a token or omen

וּבְיָ֤ד10 of 15

“hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

חֲזָקָה֙11 of 15

“and with a strong”

H2389

strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent)

וּבְאֶזְר֣וֹעַ12 of 15

“arm”

H248

the arm

נְטוּיָ֔ה13 of 15

“and with a 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)

וּבְמוֹרָ֖א14 of 15

“terror”

H4172

fear; by implication, a fearful thing or deed

גָּדֽוֹל׃15 of 15

“and with great”

H1419

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

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 32:21 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 32:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 6:6Deuteronomy 26:8Exodus 13:9Psalms 136:11-121 Kings 8:42Exodus 6:1

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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