King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 33:8 Mean?

Jeremiah 33:8 in the King James Version says “And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniqui... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 33 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me.

Jeremiah 33:8 · KJV


Context

6

Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth.

7

And I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to return, and will build them, as at the first.

8

And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me.

9

And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.

10

Thus saith the LORD; Again there shall be heard in this place, which ye say shall be desolate without man and without beast, even in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, that are desolate, without man, and without inhabitant, and without beast,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I will cleanse them from all their iniquity (וְטִהַרְתִּים מִכָּל־עֲוֺנָם, vetihartim mikol-avonam)—The priestly cleansing verb taher (used for ritual purification) applies to moral guilt (avon, iniquity/guilt). God acts as both Judge and Priest, cleansing what He condemned. This impossible juxtaposition resolves only at the cross, where Christ became sin-offering to cleanse sin.

I will pardon all their iniquities (וְסָלַחְתִּי לְכָל־עֲוֺנֹתֵיהֶם, vesalachti lekhol-avonoteihem)—The verb salach (pardon, forgive) is used exclusively of God in the Old Testament—only YHWH can truly forgive. The threefold description—'sinned against me,' 'sinned,' 'transgressed against me'—covers all categories of rebellion. God promises total amnesty, the essence of the New Covenant: 'I will remember their sin no more' (Jeremiah 31:34).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jeremiah 31:31-34 (the New Covenant promise) provides the theological foundation for this verse. Written to a people drowning in guilt from covenant-breaking, idolatry, and injustice, this promise of divine cleansing and pardon was revolutionary. It anticipates Ezekiel 36:25-27 (clean water, new heart, God's Spirit) and finds fulfillment in Christ's blood that cleanses all sin (1 John 1:7-9).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's promise to both cleanse and pardon address the dual problem of sin's pollution and guilt?
  2. What does it mean that only God can 'pardon' (<em>salach</em>)—why can't we forgive ourselves or earn forgiveness?
  3. How does this Old Testament promise of total cleansing prepare you to receive the New Covenant in Christ's blood?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְטִ֣הַרְתִּ֔ים1 of 15

And I will cleanse

H2891

to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; levitically, uncontaminated; morally, innocent or holy)

מִכָּל2 of 15
H3605

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

עֲוֹנֽוֹתֵיהֶם֙3 of 15

all their iniquities

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

אֲשֶׁ֣ר4 of 15
H834

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

חָֽטְאוּ5 of 15

whereby they have sinned

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

לִ֑י6 of 15
H0
וְסָלַחְתִּ֗י7 of 15

against me and I will pardon

H5545

to forgive

לְכָול8 of 15
H3605

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

עֲוֹנֽוֹתֵיהֶם֙9 of 15

all their iniquities

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

אֲשֶׁ֣ר10 of 15
H834

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

חָֽטְאוּ11 of 15

whereby they have sinned

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

לִ֔י12 of 15
H0
וַאֲשֶׁ֖ר13 of 15
H834

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

פָּ֥שְׁעוּ14 of 15

and whereby they have transgressed

H6586

to break away (from just authority), i.e., trespass, apostatize, quarrel

בִֽי׃15 of 15
H0

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 33:8 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 33:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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