Jeremiah 16:21 Meaning and Explanation
“Therefore, behold, I will this once cause them to know, I will cause them to know mine hand and my might; and they shall know that my name is The LORD.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God will demonstrate His power and reality through the coming judgment so that the people will finally know Him truly.
The Context of Jeremiah 16:21
God's judgment will ultimately reveal His true identity and power.
What Does Jeremiah 16:21 Mean?
The final verse promises that judgment itself will be a revelation. God will cause the people to 'know' His hand and might through the experience of exile and its aftermath. Knowledge of God, in Hebrew thought, is intimate and relational, not merely intellectual. Through the severing of false gods and the demonstration of His power in both judgment and restoration, God will make Himself truly known.
The assurance is that God's name and identity will be vindicated. Despite the people's turning to other gods, despite their refusal to listen through the prophets, God will ultimately establish that He alone is 'The LORD'—the true God. Judgment serves this purpose: to strip away false allegiances and reveal God's true nature and authority to all who witness it.
Jeremiah 16:21 in the Original Language
The phrase 'mine hand and my might' (יָד, yad; גָּבוּר, gibbuwr) references both God's active power and His strength in saving action, concepts woven throughout Jeremiah's theology of both judgment and restoration.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 16:21
What does Jeremiah 16:21 mean?
God will demonstrate His power and reality through the coming judgment so that the people will finally know Him truly.
What is the context of Jeremiah 16:21?
God's judgment will ultimately reveal His true identity and power.