King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 50:20 Mean?

Jeremiah 50:20 in the King James Version says “In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; an... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 50 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve.

Jeremiah 50:20 · KJV


Context

18

Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will punish the king of Babylon and his land, as I have punished the king of Assyria.

19

And I will bring Israel again to his habitation, and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan, and his soul shall be satisfied upon mount Ephraim and Gilead.

20

In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve.

21

Go up against the land of Merathaim, even against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod: waste and utterly destroy after them, saith the LORD, and do according to all that I have commanded thee. of Merathaim: or, of the rebels Pekod: or, Visitation

22

A sound of battle is in the land, and of great destruction.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
In the context of Babylon's fall and Israel's return, God promises to forgive Israel's sins completely - 'they shall not be found.' This points beyond the exile's end to the new covenant where sins are remembered no more (Jer 31:34). God pardons 'the remnant whom I reserve' - highlighting sovereign election. Only God's preserving grace accounts for any surviving faith.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This promise transcends the historical return from Babylon, pointing to ultimate forgiveness through Christ's atonement which removes sins completely (Ps 103:12, 1 John 1:9).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does complete forgiveness ('shall not be found') differ from mere pardon?
  2. What does it mean that God pardons 'the remnant whom I reserve'?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
בַּיָּמִ֣ים1 of 20

In those days

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הָהֵם֩2 of 20
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

וּבָעֵ֨ת3 of 20

and in that time

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

הַהִ֜יא4 of 20
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

נְאֻם5 of 20

saith

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֗ה6 of 20

the LORD

H3068

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

יְבֻקַּ֞שׁ7 of 20

shall be sought for

H1245

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

אֶת8 of 20
H853

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

עֲוֹ֤ן9 of 20

the iniquity

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙10 of 20

of Israel

H3478

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

וְאֵינֶ֔נּוּ11 of 20
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

וְאֶת12 of 20
H853

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

חַטֹּ֥את13 of 20

and there shall be none and the sins

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

יְהוּדָ֖ה14 of 20

of Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וְלֹ֣א15 of 20
H3808

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

תִמָּצֶ֑אינָה16 of 20

and they shall not be found

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

כִּ֥י17 of 20
H3588

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

אֶסְלַ֖ח18 of 20

for I will pardon

H5545

to forgive

לַאֲשֶׁ֥ר19 of 20
H834

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

אַשְׁאִֽיר׃20 of 20

them whom I reserve

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant


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 50:20 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 50:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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