King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 46:27 Mean?

Jeremiah 46:27 in the King James Version says “But fear not thou, O my servant Jacob, and be not dismayed, O Israel: for, behold, I will save thee from afar off, and t...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 46 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But fear not thou, O my servant Jacob, and be not dismayed, O Israel: for, behold, I will save thee from afar off, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and be in rest and at ease, and none shall make him afraid.”

Jeremiah 46:27 · KJV

Fear & CourageSalvation

Context

25

The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saith; Behold, I will punish the multitude of No, and Pharaoh, and Egypt, with their gods, and their kings; even Pharaoh, and all them that trust in him: multitude: or, nourisher: Heb. Amon

26

And I will deliver them into the hand of those that seek their lives, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of his servants: and afterward it shall be inhabited, as in the days of old, saith the LORD.

27

But fear not thou, O my servant Jacob, and be not dismayed, O Israel: for, behold, I will save thee from afar off, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and be in rest and at ease, and none shall make him afraid.

28

Fear thou not, O Jacob my servant, saith the LORD: for I am with thee; for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I have driven thee: but I will not make a full end of thee, but correct thee in measure; yet will I not leave thee wholly unpunished. not leave: or, not utterly cut thee off

Read Jeremiah 46 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'Fear not, O Jacob my servant' appears frequently in prophetic literature (Isa 41:10, 44:2). Despite judgment, God's ultimate purpose is restoration. The phrase 'I will save thee from afar' acknowledges the distance of exile but affirms God's ability to reach across it. No distance separates God's people from His saving power (Rom 8:38-39).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This promise looks beyond immediate judgment to ultimate restoration. God's covenant with Jacob/Israel remains intact despite discipline.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's promise 'fear not' speak to your current anxieties?
  2. What does it mean that God saves from 'afar' - that distance doesn't limit His power?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְ֠אַתָּה1 of 22
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

אַל2 of 22
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּירָ֞א3 of 22

“But fear”

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

עַבְדִּ֤י4 of 22

“not thou O my servant”

H5650

a servant

יַעֲק֛וֹב5 of 22

“Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

וְאַל6 of 22
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תֵּחַ֣ת7 of 22

“and be not dismayed”

H2865

properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or (figuratively) by confusion and fear

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל8 of 22

“O Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

כִּ֠י9 of 22
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הִנְנִ֤י10 of 22
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

מוֹשִֽׁעֲךָ֙11 of 22

“for behold I will save”

H3467

properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor

מֵֽרָח֔וֹק12 of 22

“thee from afar off”

H7350

remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)

וְאֶֽת13 of 22
H853

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

זַרְעֲךָ֖14 of 22

“and thy seed”

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

מֵאֶ֣רֶץ15 of 22

“from the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

שִׁבְיָ֑ם16 of 22

“of their captivity”

H7628

exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by extension, booty

וְשָׁ֧ב17 of 22

“shall return”

H7725

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

יַעֲק֛וֹב18 of 22

“Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

וְשָׁקַ֥ט19 of 22

“and be in rest”

H8252

to repose (usually figurative)

וְשַׁאֲנַ֖ן20 of 22

“and at ease”

H7599

to loll, i.e., be peaceful

וְאֵ֥ין21 of 22
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

מַחֲרִֽיד׃22 of 22

“and none shall make him afraid”

H2729

to shudder with terror; hence, to fear; also to hasten (with anxiety)

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 46:27 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 46:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 43:5Jeremiah 30:10-11Isaiah 43:1Isaiah 41:13-14Jeremiah 50:19Jeremiah 29:14

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