King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 33:18 Mean?

Jeremiah 33:18 in the King James Version says “Neither shall the priests the Levites want a man before me to offer burnt offerings, and to kindle meat offerings, and t... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 33 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Neither shall the priests the Levites want a man before me to offer burnt offerings, and to kindle meat offerings, and to do sacrifice continually.

Jeremiah 33:18 · KJV


Context

16

In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness. The LORD: Heb. Jehovahtsidkenu

17

For thus saith the LORD; David shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel; David: Heb. There shall not be cut off from David

18

Neither shall the priests the Levites want a man before me to offer burnt offerings, and to kindle meat offerings, and to do sacrifice continually.

19

And the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, saying,

20

Thus saith the LORD; If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season;


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Neither shall the priests the Levites want a man—Parallel to v. 17, this guarantees perpetual Levitical priesthood. The dual promise (Davidic king + Levitical priest) anticipates Christ who is both prophet, priest, and king.

To offer burnt offerings (עֹלָה, olah—that which ascends) and meat offerings (מִנְחָה, minchah—grain offering) point to Christ's singular sacrifice. Hebrews 7-10 explains the paradox: the Old Covenant priesthood has ended, yet Christ as our eternal High Priest after the order of Melchizedek fulfills this promise forever. Believers are now a 'royal priesthood' (1 Peter 2:9) offering spiritual sacrifices (Romans 12:1). The continually (תָּמִיד, tamid) of Levitical worship finds fulfillment in Christ's once-for-all yet eternally efficacious sacrifice.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Levitical priesthood traced to Aaron (Exodus 28-29) and confirmed in Numbers 25:10-13 (Phinehas covenant). By Jeremiah's time, the priesthood was corrupt (Jeremiah 23:11), yet God promises its perpetuity—fulfilled not in the physical line but in Christ's superior priesthood.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ fulfill both the kingly (v. 17) and priestly (v. 18) promises simultaneously?
  2. What 'sacrifices' should believers as a royal priesthood offer continually in the New Covenant age?
  3. How does the eternal efficacy of Christ's sacrifice give assurance superior to the daily Levitical offerings?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וְלַכֹּהֲנִים֙1 of 14

Neither shall the priests

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

הַלְוִיִּ֔ם2 of 14

the Levites

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

לֹֽא3 of 14
H3808

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

יִכָּרֵ֥ת4 of 14

want

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

אִ֖ישׁ5 of 14

a man

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)

מִלְּפָנָ֑י6 of 14

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

מַעֲלֶ֨ה7 of 14

me to offer

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

עוֹלָ֜ה8 of 14

burnt offerings

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

וּמַקְטִ֥יר9 of 14

and to kindle

H6999

to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)

מִנְחָ֛ה10 of 14

meat offerings

H4503

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

וְעֹ֥שֶׂה11 of 14

and to do

H6213

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

זֶּ֖בַח12 of 14

sacrifice

H2077

properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)

כָּל13 of 14
H3605

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

הַיָּמִֽים׃14 of 14

continually

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


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 33:18 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 33:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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