Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is his name,

JEREMIAH 32:18KJV
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Jeremiah 32:18 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 32:18 mean?

Jeremiah 32:18 describes God as someone who shows steadfast love to thousands but also brings consequences for wrongdoing, even affecting later generations. The verse calls God “the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts,” highlighting both His power and His justice.

Jeremiah is speaking to God during a time when Jerusalem is under siege, acknowledging God’s character and actions in history. The verse balances God’s kindness (especially to many people) with His justice, which sometimes means that the results of a generation’s sins are felt by their children. Jeremiah’s words reflect both awe for God’s greatness and a sober recognition of His fairness.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 32:18

  • חֶסֶד (chesed, “lovingkindness”): This word means loyal love or steadfast kindness, not just a feeling but a committed, covenantal care. It emphasizes that God’s goodness is reliable and enduring.
  • שִׁלַּם (shillem, “recompensest”): This verb means to repay or to make whole, showing that God responds to actions with appropriate consequences, whether good or bad.
  • עָוֹן (avon, “iniquity”): This word refers to guilt or wrongdoing, especially the kind that has lasting effects. The verse notes that the impact of such wrongdoing can reach into the lives of children.
  • בֶּן (ben, “children”) and חֵיק (cheq, “bosom”): The phrase “into the bosom of their children” paints a picture of consequences being delivered personally and closely, not just in a distant or abstract way.

Why Jeremiah 32:18 matters

  • Jeremiah 32:18 clarifies that God’s love is vast and faithful, but it does not cancel out His justice; both are part of His nature.
  • The verse helps explain why some consequences of wrongdoing seem to affect later generations, not as blind punishment, but as part of the natural and moral order God oversees.
  • In the wider chapter, Jeremiah is wrestling with hope and judgment during a national crisis, and this verse shows his understanding of God’s character as both merciful and just, which is central to the message of the book.