Considerest thou not what this people have spoken, saying, The two families which the LORD hath chosen, he hath even cast them off? thus they have despised my people, that they should be no more a nation before them.

JEREMIAH 33:24KJV
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Jeremiah 33:24 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 33:24 mean?

Jeremiah 33:24 describes how some people are saying that God has rejected the "two families" He chose, and because of this, they look down on God's people and claim they are no longer a nation in God's sight. The verse highlights the attitude of those who believe God has abandoned Israel and Judah, leading them to despise and dismiss the Jewish people.

In this verse, God is speaking to Jeremiah about the negative talk among the people around them. The "two families" refers to the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, which God had chosen but which others now claim He has cast off. This reflects the despair and scorn that outsiders (and perhaps some insiders) feel toward the Jewish people after their national troubles and exile, questioning whether they still have a place as God's nation.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 33:24

  • "Considerest" (רָאָה, ra'ah): This word means "to see" or "to notice." God is asking Jeremiah if he has noticed what people are saying, emphasizing the importance of paying attention to public opinion and its impact.
  • "Two families" (שְׁתֵּי הַמִּשְׁפָּחוֹת, shtei hammishpachot): This phrase refers to the two kingdoms—Israel and Judah. The use of "families" highlights their shared heritage and chosen status.
  • "Cast them off" (מָאַס, ma'as): This word means "to reject" or "to despise." The people are claiming that God has completely rejected His chosen people, which is a strong accusation.
  • "Despised" (נָאַץ, na'ats): This word means "to treat with contempt." The verse shows that because of their belief in God's rejection, others now look down on Israel and Judah, treating them as if they are no longer significant.

Why Jeremiah 33:24 matters

  • Jeremiah 33:24 clears up the misunderstanding that God has permanently rejected Israel and Judah; the verse shows that this is only what people are saying, not what God has actually done.
  • The verse emphasizes how public opinion can shape attitudes toward a group, especially in times of hardship, and how quickly people can move from respect to contempt.
  • In the wider context, this verse sets up God's response in the following verses, where He reaffirms His commitment to His people despite what others claim.

Where else these words appear

“despised” Hebrew H5006 · used in 24 verses

  • Numbers 14:11 And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them?
  • Psalms 10:3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.
  • Ecclesiastes 12:5 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:

“off” Hebrew H3988 · used in 69 verses

  • Leviticus 26:15 And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant:
  • Job 30:1 But now they that are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock.
  • Isaiah 33:15 He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;