King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 33:9 Mean?

Jeremiah 33:9 in the King James Version says “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 th... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 33 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Jeremiah 33:9 · KJV


Context

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,

11

The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
It shall be to me a name of joy (וְהָיְתָה לִּי לְשֵׁם שָׂשׂוֹן, vehaytah li leshem sason)—Restored Israel becomes God's reputation (shem, name) of sason (exultant joy). The phrase 'to me' is emphatic: their restoration brings God Himself joy, revealing His delight in redeeming rebels. A praise and an honour before all the nations (לִתְהִלָּה וּלְתִפְאֶרֶת לְכֹל גּוֹיֵי הָאָרֶץ, litehillah ultif'eret lekhol goyei ha'aretz)—Israel's restoration becomes global testimony to YHWH's grace.

They shall fear and tremble for all the goodness (וּפָחֲדוּ וְרָגְזוּ עַל כָּל־הַטּוֹבָה, ufachadu veragezu al kol-hatovah)—The nations' response mixes awe and trembling at God's overwhelming goodness. This paradox (trembling at goodness, not judgment) shows that grace is more fearsome than wrath—it reveals God's incomprehensible love.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's calling from Abraham onward was to be a light to the nations (Genesis 12:3, Isaiah 42:6). Their exile defamed God's name among the nations (Ezekiel 36:20-23), but their restoration would vindicate His character. This missionary vision finds fulfillment in the church, where Jews and Gentiles together display God's wisdom (Ephesians 3:10) and anticipated the Great Commission's global reach.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the fact that your restoration brings God joy (not just relief) change your understanding of His heart toward you?
  2. In what ways should the church today be 'a name of joy, a praise and an honour' before all nations?
  3. Why does God's goodness produce 'fear and trembling' in observers—what's fearsome about grace?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 30 words
וְהָ֣יְתָה1 of 30
H1961

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

לִּ֗י2 of 30
H0
לְשֵׁ֤ם3 of 30

And it shall be to me a name

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

שָׂשׂוֹן֙4 of 30

of joy

H8342

cheerfulness; specifically, welcome

לִתְהִלָּ֣ה5 of 30

a praise

H8416

laudation; specifically (concretely) a hymn

וּלְתִפְאֶ֔רֶת6 of 30

and an honour

H8597

ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively)

לְכֹ֖ל7 of 30
H3605

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

גּוֹיֵ֣י8 of 30

before all the nations

H1471

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

הָאָ֑רֶץ9 of 30

of the earth

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר10 of 30
H834

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

יִשְׁמְע֜וּ11 of 30

which shall hear

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

אֶת12 of 30
H853

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

כָּל13 of 30
H3605

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

הַטּוֹבָה֙14 of 30

all the good

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

אֲשֶׁ֤ר15 of 30
H834

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

אָֽנֹכִי֙16 of 30
H595

i

עֹ֥שֶׂה17 of 30

that I do

H6213

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

אוֹתָ֔ם18 of 30
H853

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

וּפָחֲד֣וּ19 of 30

unto them and they shall fear

H6342

to be startled (by a sudden alarm); hence, to fear in general

וְרָֽגְז֗וּ20 of 30

and tremble

H7264

to quiver (with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear)

עַ֤ל21 of 30
H5921

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

כָּל22 of 30
H3605

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

הַטּוֹבָה֙23 of 30

all the good

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

וְעַ֣ל24 of 30
H5921

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

כָּל25 of 30
H3605

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

הַשָּׁל֔וֹם26 of 30

and for all the prosperity

H7965

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

אֲשֶׁ֥ר27 of 30
H834

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

אָֽנֹכִ֖י28 of 30
H595

i

עֹ֥שֶׂה29 of 30

that I do

H6213

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

לָּֽהּ׃30 of 30
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 33:9 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 33:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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