But fear not thou, O my servant Jacob, and be not dismayed, O Israel: for, behold, I will save thee from afar off, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and be in rest and at ease, and none shall make him afraid.

JEREMIAH 46:27KJV
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Jeremiah 46:27 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 46:27 mean?

Jeremiah 46:27 promises that God will rescue the people of Israel (called Jacob here) from distant lands where they have been taken captive, assuring them they will return home, live in peace, and have no reason to fear. The verse is a message of comfort and hope, telling Israel not to be afraid or discouraged because God will bring them back and keep them safe.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to the people of Israel, who are facing exile and hardship because of foreign powers. The verse stands out in a section mostly about judgment on other nations, offering a personal reassurance to Israel that their story will not end in defeat or captivity. The language of being saved from "afar off" and returning to rest highlights both the physical distance of their exile and the emotional distance from peace and security.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 46:27

  • "Fear" (יָרֵא, yare): This word means to be afraid or terrified. Here, God is directly telling Israel not to be overwhelmed by fear, even in the face of powerful enemies and uncertain times.
  • "Servant" (עֶבֶד, eved): Calling Jacob "my servant" reminds Israel of their special relationship with God, emphasizing care and commitment rather than just authority.
  • "Save" (יָשַׁע, yasha): This word means to deliver or rescue. The promise is not just about a return home, but about God actively intervening to bring them out of trouble.
  • "Captivity" (שְׁבוּת, shevut): This refers to being taken as prisoners or exiles. The verse assures that their time in captivity is not permanent, and God will reverse their situation.

Why Jeremiah 46:27 matters

  • Jeremiah 46:27 clarifies that even when God allows hardship or exile, His intention for Israel is restoration and peace, not permanent rejection.
  • The verse interrupts a series of prophecies against foreign nations to personally reassure Israel, showing that God’s relationship with His people is different from His dealings with others.
  • The promise of returning "at ease" and "none shall make him afraid" highlights that God’s rescue is not just physical but also brings emotional security and lasting peace.

Where else these words appear

“ease” Hebrew H7599 · used in 5 verses

  • Job 3:18 There the prisoners rest together; they hear not the voice of the oppressor.
  • Proverbs 1:33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
  • Jeremiah 30:10 Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid.

“afraid” Hebrew H2729 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 27:33 And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed.
  • 1 Samuel 28:5 And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled.
  • Ezekiel 26:16 Then all the princes of the sea shall come down from their thrones, and lay away their robes, and put off their broidered garments: they shall clothe themselves with trembling; they shall sit upon the ground, and shall tremble at every moment, and be astonished at thee.

“rest” Hebrew H8252 · used in 41 verses

  • Joshua 11:23 So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war.
  • 2 Chronicles 14:6 And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the LORD had given him rest.
  • Isaiah 18:4 For so the LORD said unto me, I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.

“captivity” Hebrew H7628 · used in 47 verses

  • Exodus 12:29 And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.
  • Ezra 8:35 Also the children of those that had been carried away, which were come out of the captivity, offered burnt offerings unto the God of Israel, twelve bullocks for all Israel, ninety and six rams, seventy and seven lambs, twelve he goats for a sin offering: all this was a burnt offering unto the LORD.
  • Jeremiah 22:22 The wind shall eat up all thy pastors, and thy lovers shall go into captivity: surely then shalt thou be ashamed and confounded for all thy wickedness.