King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 46:28 Mean?

Jeremiah 46:28 in the King James Version says “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 whi... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 46 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Jeremiah 46:28 · KJV


Context

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
In the midst of prophecies of judgment on nations, God promises not to make 'a full end' of Israel. Though scattered, disciplined, and punished, God will preserve a remnant. This echoes the Abrahamic covenant's unconditional promise (Gen 12:1-3). God's chastening of His people proves His covenant faithfulness - He won't let them go, won't utterly destroy them. This grounds Christian assurance in God's electing love, not our performance.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This promise sustained Jewish hope through exile, diaspora, and centuries of dispersion. God's faithfulness to His covenant people ultimately points to Christ as the true Israel who fulfills all promises.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's promise to never make 'a full end' of His people encourage you?
  2. What's the relationship between God's discipline and His covenant love?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
אַ֠תָּה1 of 27
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

אַל2 of 27
H408

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

תִּירָ֞א3 of 27

Fear

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

עַבְדִּ֤י4 of 27

my servant

H5650

a servant

יַֽעֲקֹב֙5 of 27

thou not O Jacob

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

נְאֻם6 of 27

saith

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֔ה7 of 27

the LORD

H3068

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

כִּ֥י8 of 27
H3588

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

אִתְּךָ֖9 of 27
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

אָ֑נִי10 of 27
H589

i

כִּי֩11 of 27
H3588

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

אֶעֱשֶׂ֣ה12 of 27

for I am with thee for I will make

H6213

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

כָלָ֔ה13 of 27

a full end

H3617

a completion; adverb, completely; also destruction

בְּכָֽל14 of 27
H3605

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

הַגּוֹיִ֣ם׀15 of 27

of all the nations

H1471

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

אֲשֶׁ֧ר16 of 27
H834

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

הִדַּחְתִּ֣יךָ17 of 27

whither I have driven

H5080

to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.)

שָׁ֗מָּה18 of 27
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

וְאֹֽתְךָ֙19 of 27
H853

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

לֹא20 of 27
H3808

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

אֶעֱשֶׂ֣ה21 of 27

for I am with thee for I will make

H6213

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

כָלָ֔ה22 of 27

a full end

H3617

a completion; adverb, completely; also destruction

וְיִסַּרְתִּ֙יךָ֙23 of 27

of thee but correct

H3256

to chastise, literally (with blows) or figuratively (with words); hence, to instruct

לַמִּשְׁפָּ֔ט24 of 27

thee in measure

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

אֲנַקֶּֽךָּ׃25 of 27

unpunished

H5352

to be (or make) clean (literally or figuratively); by implication (in an adverse sense) to be bare, i.e., extirpated

לֹ֥א26 of 27
H3808

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

אֲנַקֶּֽךָּ׃27 of 27

unpunished

H5352

to be (or make) clean (literally or figuratively); by implication (in an adverse sense) to be bare, i.e., extirpated


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 46:28 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 46:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study