King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 33:24 Mean?

Jeremiah 33:24 in the King James Version says “Considerest thou not what this people have spoken, saying, The two families which the LORD hath chosen, he hath even cas... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 33 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Considerest thou not what this people have spoken, saying, The two families which the LORD hath chosen, he hath even cast them off? thus they have despised my people, that they should be no more a nation before them.

Jeremiah 33:24 · KJV


Context

22

As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David my servant, and the Levites that minister unto me.

23

Moreover the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying,

24

Considerest thou not what this people have spoken, saying, The two families which the LORD hath chosen, he hath even cast them off? thus they have despised my people, that they should be no more a nation before them.

25

Thus saith the LORD; If my covenant be not with day and night, and if I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth;

26

Then will I cast away the seed of Jacob, and David my servant, so that I will not take any of his seed to be rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: for I will cause their captivity to return , and have mercy on them.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Considerest thou not what this people have spoken? (הֲלוֹא רָאִיתָ מָה־הָעָם הַזֶּה דִּבְּרוּ לֵאמֹר)—God quotes the skeptics' objection. Ra'itah (have you seen/noticed) uses visual perception for spiritual discernment—'Do you see what they're saying?' This people (ha'am hazeh) creates slight distance, marking their speech as contrary to covenant faith.

The two families which the LORD hath chosen, He hath even cast them off (שְׁתֵּי הַמִּשְׁפָּחוֹת אֲשֶׁר בָּחַר יְהוָה בָּהֶם וַיִּמְאָסֵם)—the 'two families' likely refers to Israel (northern kingdom, already exiled by Assyria in 722 BC) and Judah (southern kingdom, now falling to Babylon). The verb ma'as (מָאַס, reject/despise) appears in covenant-breaking contexts (Leviticus 26:44, 1 Samuel 15:23, 26). Thus they have despised My people (וְאֶת־עַמִּי יִנְאָצוּן)—mockery denies Israel's continued status as ammi (My people), God's covenant designation (Exodus 3:7, Hosea 2:23).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The dual exile (Assyrian and Babylonian) made Israel's enemies conclude God had permanently abandoned His people. This taunting reflects ancient Near Eastern theology where conquered people's gods were deemed impotent. Ezekiel addressed identical skepticism (37:11, 'Our bones are dried, our hope is lost'). The objection: election doesn't survive disobedience; covenant has limits.

Reflection Questions

  1. When have circumstances made God's promises seem nullified, leading to doubts about His faithfulness?
  2. How do external voices ('this people') versus internal covenant identity ('My people') shape our theology of election?
  3. What's the difference between questioning God's methods (legitimate) and denying His character (apostasy)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
הֲל֣וֹא1 of 21
H3808

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

רָאִ֗יתָ2 of 21

Considerest

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

מָֽה3 of 21
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

עַמִּי֙4 of 21

my people

H5971

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

הַזֶּה֙5 of 21
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

דִּבְּר֣וּ6 of 21

have spoken

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

לֵאמֹ֔ר7 of 21

saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שְׁתֵּ֣י8 of 21

The two

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

הַמִּשְׁפָּח֗וֹת9 of 21

families

H4940

a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people

אֲשֶׁ֨ר10 of 21
H834

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

בָּחַ֧ר11 of 21

hath chosen

H977

properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select

יְהוָ֛ה12 of 21

which the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בָּהֶ֖ם13 of 21
H0
וַיִּמְאָסֵ֑ם14 of 21

he hath even cast them off

H3988

to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear

וְאֶת15 of 21
H853

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

עַמִּי֙16 of 21

my people

H5971

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

יִנְאָצ֔וּן17 of 21

thus they have despised

H5006

to scorn; or (in ecclesiastes 12:5), by interchange for h5132, to bloom

מִֽהְי֥וֹת18 of 21
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

ע֖וֹד19 of 21
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

גּ֥וֹי20 of 21

that they should be no more a nation

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

לִפְנֵיהֶֽם׃21 of 21

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


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 33:24 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 33:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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