Then will I cast away the seed of Jacob, and David my servant, so that I will not take any of his seed to be rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: for I will cause their captivity to return, and have mercy on them.

JEREMIAH 33:26KJV
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Jeremiah 33:26 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 33:26 mean?

Jeremiah 33:26 says that God will never completely reject the descendants of Jacob or David, nor will He stop choosing leaders from their line to rule over the people descended from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, because He promises to restore them from captivity and show them mercy. This verse reassures that God’s commitment to His people and His promises remains firm, even after times of judgment or exile.

In this passage, God is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to the people of Judah, who are facing exile and hardship. The verse comes as part of a broader promise that, despite their current suffering, God’s covenant with Israel and David’s royal line will not be broken. The focus is on God’s faithfulness to restore His people and continue His plans for them, even when circumstances seem hopeless.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 33:26

  • "Cast away" (מָאַס, ma'as): This word means to reject or refuse. Here, God is saying He will not utterly reject the people of Jacob or David, emphasizing His ongoing commitment.
  • "Seed" (זֶרַע, zera‘): This word means descendants or offspring. The repeated use underlines the promise to future generations, not just those alive at the time.
  • "Captivity" (שְׁבוּת, shevut): This refers to being taken away as captives. God’s promise to "cause their captivity to return" means He will bring them back from exile, restoring their fortunes.
  • "Mercy" (רִחַם, richám): This word means to have compassion or show kindness. God’s mercy is the reason for their restoration, highlighting His character as compassionate and faithful.

Why Jeremiah 33:26 matters

  • Jeremiah 33:26 clears up the fear that God might permanently abandon His people because of their failures; instead, it stresses that His promises to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David are unbreakable.
  • The verse highlights God’s mercy as the foundation for restoration, not the people’s merit, which is a key theme throughout Jeremiah’s prophecies.
  • This promise ties the fate of the people to God’s larger plan, showing that even after judgment and exile, God’s story with Israel continues, giving hope for the future.

Where else these words appear

“Isaac” Hebrew H3446 · used in 4 verses

  • Psalms 105:9 Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac;
  • Amos 7:9 And the high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste; and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.
  • Amos 7:16 Now therefore hear thou the word of the LORD: Thou sayest, Prophesy not against Israel, and drop not thy word against the house of Isaac.

“captivity” Hebrew H7622 · used in 27 verses

  • Numbers 21:29 Woe to thee, Moab! thou art undone, O people of Chemosh: he hath given his sons that escaped, and his daughters, into captivity unto Sihon king of the Amorites.
  • Jeremiah 30:3 For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.
  • Lamentations 2:14 Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity; but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment.

“Then” Hebrew H1571 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
  • Deuteronomy 12:30 Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.
  • Job 2:10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

“mercy” Hebrew H7355 · used in 43 verses

  • Exodus 33:19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.
  • Isaiah 30:18 And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.
  • Jeremiah 42:12 And I will shew mercies unto you, that he may have mercy upon you, and cause you to return to your own land.