Jeremiah 23:20 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 23:20 mean?

Jeremiah 23:20 says that the LORD’s anger will not turn back until He has fully carried out what He intends, and that in the future, people will understand this completely. The verse warns that God’s judgment is certain and will be fully accomplished, even if people do not grasp it right away.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking to the people of Judah, who have been ignoring God’s warnings and following false prophets. Jeremiah tells them that God’s anger is not temporary or easily set aside; it will remain until His plans are finished. The phrase “in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly” means that, eventually, people will realize the seriousness and purpose behind God’s actions.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 23:20

• "anger" (אַף, ʾaf): This word often describes not just emotion, but a forceful response. Here, it emphasizes that God’s response to wrongdoing is active and powerful, not passive.
• "thoughts" (מְזִמּוֹת, mezimot): This word means plans or intentions. It highlights that God’s actions are not random; He has a purpose and a plan He is carrying out.
• "consider" (בִּין, bin) and "perfectly" (בִּינָה, binah): Both words come from the same root, meaning to understand or discern. The repetition stresses that people will truly and deeply grasp what God has done, but only later.

Why Jeremiah 23:20 matters

• Jeremiah 23:20 clarifies that God’s judgment is not arbitrary or impulsive; it is the result of deliberate plans and intentions that will be fully carried out.
• The verse warns against underestimating God’s warnings, showing that even if people do not understand now, they will eventually see the full picture.
• This verse connects to the larger passage where Jeremiah exposes false prophets who claim peace and safety; it reminds the people that God’s true message will come to pass, regardless of what others say.