King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 32:40 Mean?

Jeremiah 32:40 in the King James Version says “And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put ... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. from them: Heb. from after them

Jeremiah 32:40 · KJV


Context

38

And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:

39

And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them: for ever: Heb. all days

40

And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. from them: Heb. from after them

41

Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul. assuredly: Heb. in truth, or, stability

42

For thus saith the LORD; Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God promises an 'everlasting covenant' that cannot be broken. Unlike the Mosaic covenant which Israel broke (31:32), this covenant is secured by divine initiative and power. Two key promises: (1) 'I will not turn away from them, to do them good' —God commits to perpetual beneficence toward His people; (2) 'I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me'—God will work internally to secure their faithfulness. The covenant's permanence rests on God's unchanging commitment and His transforming work in human hearts.

This is the doctrine of eternal security grounded in divine preservation. God keeps believers from falling away not by external constraint but by internal transformation. He puts His fear in our hearts—creating genuine reverence, love, and loyalty—so that we do not want to depart from Him. We persevere not because of our strength but because of His preserving grace. Philippians 1:6 says, 'He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.'

The everlasting nature of this covenant means no subsequent apostasy can nullify it. The Mosaic covenant could be broken; the new covenant cannot. Not because it has no conditions (faith and repentance are required), but because God Himself secures those conditions in His people. He ensures we meet the conditions by changing our hearts. This is the gospel: God saves us and keeps us saved.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The old covenant was conditional—'if you obey...then I will bless.' Israel repeatedly failed, breaking the covenant. The new covenant is also conditional (believers must believe), but God secures the condition through regeneration. Jesus is the covenant mediator who perfectly kept its terms on our behalf (Hebrews 8:6; 9:15). His blood ratifies the everlasting covenant, guaranteeing its permanence (Hebrews 13:20).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's promise 'I will not turn away from them' provide assurance of salvation for believers?
  2. What does it mean that God 'will put my fear in their hearts'—how does this internal work secure our faithfulness?
  3. How does the everlasting nature of the new covenant differ from the breakable old covenant, and why does this matter for our assurance?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְכָרַתִּ֤י1 of 17

And I will make

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

לָהֶם֙2 of 17
H0
בְּרִ֣ית3 of 17

covenant

H1285

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

עוֹלָ֔ם4 of 17

an everlasting

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

אֲשֶׁ֤ר5 of 17
H834

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

לֹֽא6 of 17
H3808

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

אָשׁוּב֙7 of 17

with them that I will not turn away

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

מֵאַ֣חֲרֵיהֶ֔ם8 of 17

from them

H310

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

לְהֵיטִיבִ֖י9 of 17

to do them good

H3190

to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)

אוֹתָ֑ם10 of 17
H853

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

וְאֶת11 of 17
H853

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

יִרְאָתִי֙12 of 17

my fear

H3374

fear (also used as infinitive); morally, reverence

אֶתֵּ֣ן13 of 17

but I will put

H5414

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

בִּלְבָבָ֔ם14 of 17

in their hearts

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

לְבִלְתִּ֖י15 of 17
H1115

properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n

ס֥וּר16 of 17

that they shall not depart

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

מֵעָלָֽי׃17 of 17
H5921

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


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 32:40 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 32:40 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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