Jeremiah 1:5
Jeremiah 1:5 in Multiple Translations
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee; I have appointed thee a prophet unto the nations.
Before you were formed in the body of your mother I had knowledge of you, and before your birth I made you holy; I have given you the work of being a prophet to the nations.
“I knew exactly who you would be before I created you in your mother's womb; I chose you before you were born to be a prophet to the nations.”
Before I formed thee in the wombe, I knewe thee, and before thou camest out of the wombe, I sanctified thee, and ordeined thee to be a Prophet vnto the nations.
'Before I form thee in the belly, I have known thee; and before thou comest forth from the womb I have separated thee, a prophet to nations I have made thee.'
“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I sanctified you. I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
Before I formed thee in embryo I knew thee; and before thou wast born I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet to the nations.
Before I formed thee in the bowels of thy mother, I knew thee: and before thou camest forth out of the womb, I sanctified thee, and made thee a prophet unto the nations.
“I knew you before I finished forming you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born, I ◄set you apart/chose you► and I appointed you to be my prophet whose messages would be for all nations.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 1:5
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Jeremiah 1:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
בְּ/טֶ֨רֶם
אצור/ך
אֶצָּרְ/ךָ֤
בַ/בֶּ֨טֶן֙
יְדַעְתִּ֔י/ךָ
וּ/בְ/טֶ֛רֶם
תֵּצֵ֥א
מֵ/רֶ֖חֶם
הִקְדַּשְׁתִּ֑י/ךָ
נָבִ֥יא
לַ/גּוֹיִ֖ם
נְתַתִּֽי/ךָ
בְּ/טֶ֨רֶם
ṭerem
H2962
before
Prep | Adv
אצור/ך
yâtsar
H3335
to form
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs | Suff
אֶצָּרְ/ךָ֤
yâtsar
H3335
to form
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs | Suff
בַ/בֶּ֨טֶן֙
beṭen
H990
belly
Prep | N-fs
יְדַעְתִּ֔י/ךָ
yâdaʻ
H3045
to know
V-Qal-Perf-1cs | Suff
וּ/בְ/טֶ֛רֶם
ṭerem
H2962
before
Conj | Prep | Adv
תֵּצֵ֥א
yâtsâʼ
H3318
to come out
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
מֵ/רֶ֖חֶם
rechem
H7358
womb
Prep | N-ms
הִקְדַּשְׁתִּ֑י/ךָ
qâdash
H6942
to consecrate
V-Hiphil-Perf-1cs | Suff
נָבִ֥יא
nâbîyʼ
H5030
prophet
N-ms
לַ/גּוֹיִ֖ם
gôwy
H1471
Gentile
Prep | N-mp
נְתַתִּֽי/ךָ
nâthan
H5414
to give
V-Qal-Perf-1cs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 1:5
בְּ/טֶ֨רֶם
ṭerem
H2962
"before"
Prep | Adv
This word indicates something has not happened yet, or it happened before something else. It is used to show timing or sequence of events, translated as before, ere, or not yet in the KJV.
Definition: before, not yet, before that
Usage: Occurs in 50 OT verses. KJV: before, ere, not yet. See also: Genesis 2:5; 2 Kings 6:32; Psalms 5:6.
אצור/ך
yâtsar
H3335
"to form"
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs | Suff
This Hebrew word means to form or shape something, like a potter molding clay. It appears in Genesis 2:7, describing God's creation of humans, and in Isaiah 64:8, where God is compared to a potter.
Definition: : formed 1) to form, fashion, frame 1a) (Qal) to form, fashion 1a1) of human activity 1a2) of divine activity 1a2a) of creation 1a2a1) of original creation 1a2a2) of individuals at conception 1a2a3) of Israel as a people 1a2b) to frame, pre-ordain, plan (fig. of divine) purpose of a situation) 1b) (Niphal) to be formed, be created 1c) (Pual) to be predetermined, be pre-ordained 1d) (Hophal) to be formed
Usage: Occurs in 56 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] earthen, fashion, form, frame, make(-r), potter, purpose. See also: Genesis 2:7; Isaiah 44:12; Psalms 2:9.
אֶצָּרְ/ךָ֤
yâtsar
H3335
"to form"
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs | Suff
This Hebrew word means to form or shape something, like a potter molding clay. It appears in Genesis 2:7, describing God's creation of humans, and in Isaiah 64:8, where God is compared to a potter.
Definition: : formed 1) to form, fashion, frame 1a) (Qal) to form, fashion 1a1) of human activity 1a2) of divine activity 1a2a) of creation 1a2a1) of original creation 1a2a2) of individuals at conception 1a2a3) of Israel as a people 1a2b) to frame, pre-ordain, plan (fig. of divine) purpose of a situation) 1b) (Niphal) to be formed, be created 1c) (Pual) to be predetermined, be pre-ordained 1d) (Hophal) to be formed
Usage: Occurs in 56 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] earthen, fashion, form, frame, make(-r), potter, purpose. See also: Genesis 2:7; Isaiah 44:12; Psalms 2:9.
בַ/בֶּ֨טֶן֙
beṭen
H990
"belly"
Prep | N-fs
This Hebrew word refers to the belly or womb, and is used to describe the seat of hunger, emotions, and even the depths of the afterlife. It is used in the Bible to describe the body and its functions. The KJV translates it as belly, body, or womb.
Definition: : abdomen 1) belly, womb, body 1a) belly, abdomen 1a1) as seat of hunger 1a2) as seat of mental faculties 1a3) of depth of Sheol (fig.) 1b) womb
Usage: Occurs in 72 OT verses. KJV: belly, body, [phrase] as they be born, [phrase] within, womb. See also: Genesis 25:23; Psalms 22:10; Psalms 17:14.
יְדַעְתִּ֔י/ךָ
yâdaʻ
H3045
"to know"
V-Qal-Perf-1cs | Suff
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
Usage: Occurs in 874 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. See also: Genesis 3:5; Leviticus 5:4; Judges 21:12.
וּ/בְ/טֶ֛רֶם
ṭerem
H2962
"before"
Conj | Prep | Adv
This word indicates something has not happened yet, or it happened before something else. It is used to show timing or sequence of events, translated as before, ere, or not yet in the KJV.
Definition: before, not yet, before that
Usage: Occurs in 50 OT verses. KJV: before, ere, not yet. See also: Genesis 2:5; 2 Kings 6:32; Psalms 5:6.
תֵּצֵ֥א
yâtsâʼ
H3318
"to come out"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to go out or come out, and it's used in many different ways, like leaving a place or starting a new journey, as seen in Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: : come/go_out/escape 1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart 1a2) to go forth (to a place) 1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something) 1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result) 1a5) to come out of 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out 1b2) to bring out of 1b3) to lead out 1b4) to deliver 1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth
Usage: Occurs in 991 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. See also: Genesis 1:12; Exodus 9:33; Leviticus 26:45.
מֵ/רֶ֖חֶם
rechem
H7358
"womb"
Prep | N-ms
This Hebrew word means womb, referring to the place where a fetus grows. It is translated as matrix or womb in the KJV, symbolizing birth and new life. It is a significant concept in biblical culture.
Definition: 1) womb 1a) womb 1b) womb-man, woman-slave, woman, two women
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: matrix, womb. See also: Genesis 20:18; 1 Samuel 1:6; Psalms 22:11.
הִקְדַּשְׁתִּ֑י/ךָ
qâdash
H6942
"to consecrate"
V-Hiphil-Perf-1cs | Suff
To consecrate means to set something or someone apart as holy or sacred, like the priests in Exodus. This word is about making something clean or pure. It is used in the Bible to describe sacred rituals and moral purity.
Definition: : consecate/sanctify 1) to consecrate, sanctify, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, be holy, be sanctified, be separate 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be set apart, be consecrated 1a2) to be hallowed 1a3) consecrated, tabooed 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to show oneself sacred or majestic 1b2) to be honoured, be treated as sacred 1b3) to be holy 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to set apart as sacred, consecrate, dedicate 1c2) to observe as holy, keep sacred 1c3) to honour as sacred, hallow 1c4) to consecrate 1d) (Pual) 1d1) to be consecrated 1d2) consecrated, dedicated 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to set apart, devote, consecrate 1e2) to regard or treat as sacred or hallow 1e3) to consecrate 1f) (Hithpael) 1f1) to keep oneself apart or separate 1f2) to cause Himself to be hallowed (of God) 1f3) to be observed as holy 1f4) to consecrate oneself
Usage: Occurs in 154 OT verses. KJV: appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, defile, hallow, (be, keep) holy(-er, place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify(-ied one, self), [idiom] wholly. See also: Genesis 2:3; 2 Samuel 11:4; Isaiah 5:16.
נָבִ֥יא
nâbîyʼ
H5030
"prophet"
N-ms
A prophet is someone who speaks for God, like a spokesperson. This word is used in the Bible to describe true and false prophets, like those in 1 and 2 Kings.
Definition: 1) spokesman, speaker, prophet 1a) prophet 1b) false prophet 1c) heathen prophet Aramaic equivalent: ne.vi (נְבִיא "prophet" H5029)
Usage: Occurs in 288 OT verses. KJV: prophecy, that prophesy, prophet. See also: Genesis 20:7; 2 Kings 24:2; Psalms 51:2.
לַ/גּוֹיִ֖ם
gôwy
H1471
"Gentile"
Prep | N-mp
This word refers to a Gentile, someone who is not Hebrew or Israeli. It can also describe a large group of animals or a nation of people, emphasizing their unity and shared identity.
Definition: 1) nation, people 1a) nation, people 1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people 1a2) of descendants of Abraham 1a3) of Israel 1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.) 1c) Goyim? = "nations" Also named: ethnos (ἔθνος "Gentiles" G1484)
Usage: Occurs in 511 OT verses. KJV: Gentile, heathen, nation, people. See also: Genesis 10:5; Judges 4:16; Psalms 2:1.
נְתַתִּֽי/ךָ
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
V-Qal-Perf-1cs | Suff
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
Study Notes — Jeremiah 1:5
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Jeremiah 1:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 1:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 1:5
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 1:5
- Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 1:5
- Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 1:5
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 1:5
- Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 1:5
- Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 1:5
- Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 1:5
- Sermons on Jeremiah 1:5
Context — The Call of Jeremiah
3and through the days of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, until the fifth month of the eleventh year of Zedekiah son of Josiah king of Judah, when the people of Jerusalem went into exile.
4The word of the LORD came to me, saying:
5“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
6“Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!” 7But the LORD told me: “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ For to everyone I send you, you must go, and all that I command you, you must speak.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 139:16 | Your eyes saw my unformed body; all my days were written in Your book and ordained for me before one of them came to be. |
| 2 | Isaiah 49:1 | Listen to Me, O islands; pay attention, O distant peoples: The LORD called Me from the womb; from the body of My mother He named Me. |
| 3 | Galatians 1:15–16 | But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not rush to consult with flesh and blood, |
| 4 | Psalms 71:5–6 | For You are my hope, O Lord GOD, my confidence from my youth. I have leaned on You since birth; You pulled me from my mother’s womb. My praise is always for You. |
| 5 | Romans 8:29 | For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. |
| 6 | Isaiah 49:5 | And now says the LORD, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, to bring Jacob back to Him, that Israel might be gathered to Him— for I am honored in the sight of the LORD, and My God is My strength— |
| 7 | Isaiah 44:2 | This is the word of the LORD, your Maker, who formed you from the womb and who will help you: “Do not be afraid, O Jacob My servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. |
| 8 | 2 Timothy 2:19–21 | Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.” A large house contains not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some indeed are for honorable use, but others are for common use. So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work. |
| 9 | Luke 1:41 | When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. |
| 10 | Luke 1:76 | And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him, |
Jeremiah 1:5 Summary
[This verse means that God knew us and had a plan for us before we were even born, which is a pretty amazing thought. It's like He had a special job in mind for us, and He gave us the gifts and talents we need to do it, as we see in Jeremiah 1:5 and also in Ephesians 2:10 where it says we are created in Christ Jesus for good works. It's not just about what we can do, but about what God can do through us. By trusting in God's plan and purpose for our lives, we can have confidence and peace, knowing that He is guiding us every step of the way, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be 'known' by God before birth?
To be known by God before birth means that He has a personal and intimate understanding of us, even before we are formed in the womb, as seen in Jeremiah 1:5 and also in Psalm 139:13-16, where it says God knits us together in our mother's womb.
How does God 'set apart' individuals for specific purposes?
God sets apart individuals by giving them a unique calling and gifting them for that purpose, as seen in Jeremiah 1:5 where Jeremiah is set apart as a prophet to the nations, similar to how the Apostle Paul was set apart in Galatians 1:15-16.
What does it mean to be 'appointed as a prophet to the nations'?
To be appointed as a prophet to the nations means to be called by God to speak His message to all people, regardless of their background or location, as seen in Jeremiah 1:5 and also in Isaiah 49:6 where the prophet is called to be a light to the nations.
How does this verse relate to the concept of predestination?
This verse relates to the concept of predestination in that it shows God's sovereign plan and purpose for individuals, even before they are born, as seen in Jeremiah 1:5 and also in Romans 8:29-30 where it talks about God's predestination of those who are called according to His purpose.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can surrender to God's plan for my life, even if it's not what I had envisioned?
- How can I trust that God has a purpose for me, even when I don't feel qualified or equipped?
- What are some ways that I can use my gifts and talents to serve God and fulfill my calling?
- In what ways can I be a light to those around me, sharing God's message of hope and redemption?
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 1:5
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee,.... Not merely by his omniscience, so he knows all men before their conception and birth; but with such a knowledge as had special love and affection
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 1:5
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 1:5
Before I formed thee in the belly, i.e. womb, . Having spoken before of the time of his call, , he now speaks of the manner of it. I knew thee, i.e. approved and appointed thee, as a fit minister for this work. Words of knowledge among the Hebrews note affection, as hath been formerly noted. I sanctified thee, viz. not with saving grace, though that need not to be excluded; but accordingly I prepared and ordained thee for this public service; and thus with Paul, , where both are expressed. See the like use of the word . He speaks thus to Jeremiah, not to the other prophets, because he stood in need of greater and more direct encouragement than they, both in respect of the tenderness of his years, and also of those insuperable difficulties which in those most degenerate and corrupt times he must unavoidably encounter with, which might cause him to decline the work, . Unto the nations; either with reference to place, to other nations besides the Jews, as appears, Jeremiah 43 Jeremiah 46 Jeremiah 47, &c, taking the Jews in among them, as ,18, and so unto may be taken for against, as it is often expressed in those places and elsewhere; or with reference to time, to people of all times, who may be instructed by this book, or whose words are made use of, both by several prophets of the Old Testament, as Daniel, Ezekiel, Nehemiah, &c., and by our Saviour in the New; by ,18; by Paul, ; and by St. John, .
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 1:5
Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, [and] I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.Ver. 5. Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee,] viz., With a knowledge not intuitive only, but also approbative. Verba notitiae apud Hebraeos secum trahunt affectum. I sanctified thee.] Infusing grace into thy heart - as afterwards also into the Baptist’ s - and setting thee apart in my secret purpose to this sacred office of a prophet, as afterwards also God did Paul to the apostleship. And I ordained thee a prophet.] Magna semper fecerunt qui Deo vocante docuerunt, saith Luther. They have always done great things, whom God hath called to teach his people; quod est contra eos qui Ecclesiam ruituram putant nisi et ipsi doceant, saith Oecolampadius. This text maketh against such as think that the Church must needs suffer, unless they (though uncalled) turn teachers. Unto the nations,] i.e., First, To the Jews, qui fere in Gentiles evaserant, who were little better than Gentiles; so papagans are called pagans. Secondly, To foreigners, of and to whom he prophesied. Thirdly, To people of all times, who may and must be instructed by this book; which is such as was highly set by, and cited in the Old Testament by Daniel, Ezekiel, Nehemiah, Ezra, Obadiah (who taketh most of his prophecy out of him); as in the New by our Saviour, Matthew the Evangelist, Paul; John the divine.
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 1:5
(5) I knew thee.—With the force which the word often has in Hebrew, as implying. not foreknowledge only, but choice and approval (Psalms 1:6; Psalms 37:18, Amos 3:2). I sanctified thee.—i.e., consecrated thee, set thee apart as hallowed for this special use.Ordained.—Better, I have appointed, without the conjunction, this verb referring to the manifestation in time of the eternal purpose. Unto the nations.—i.e., to the outlying Gentile nations. This was the distinguishing characteristic of Jeremiah’s work. Other prophets were sent to Israel and Judah, with occasional parentheses of prophecies that affected the Gentiles. The horizon of Jeremiah was to extend more widely. In part his work was to make them drink of the cup of the Lord’s fury (Jeremiah 25:15-17); but in part also he was a witness to them of a brighter future (Jeremiah 48:47; Jeremiah 49:39). It is as though he had drunk in the Spirit of Isaiah, and thought of the true prophet as one who was to be a light of the Gentiles (Isaiah 49:6). In this way, seemingly abrupt, yet probably following on a long process of divine education, was the youthful Jeremiah taught that he was to act a part specially appointed for him in the drama of his nation’s history. He could not see a chance in the guidance that had led him thus far.
The call that now came to him so clearly was not the echo of his own thoughts. All his life from infancy had been as that of one consecrated to a special work. Could he stop there? Must he not, like St. Paul, think of the divine purpose as prior to the very germ of his existence? (Galatians 1:15.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 1:5
Verse 5. Before I formed thee] I had destined thee to the prophetic office before thou wert born: I had formed my plan, and appointed thee to be my envoy to his people. St. Paul speaks of his own call to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles in similar terms, Galatians 1:15-16.
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 1:5
5. I knew thee] meaning not mere acquaintance, but choice as a consequence of knowledge. The parallelism of contrast, frequent in the poetical books of the Bible, shews this to be the sense of the word in Psalms 1:6, “The Lord knoweth the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked shall perish”; cp. Genesis 18:19, “For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of the Lord”; Amos 3:2, “You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will visit upon you all your iniquities.” before thou camest forth] Cp. Luke 1:15; Luke 1:35; also Judges 13:5. I sanctified thee] i.e. consecrated or set apart for My service. See Exodus 13:2; Leviticus 27:14 ff., and often elsewhere. unto the nations] See Intr. Jeremiah 2:3 (b).
Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 1:5
Rather, “Before I formed thee in the belly.” I approved of thee (as one fit for the prophetic office),” and before thou camest forth from the womb” I made thee holy (dedicated thee to holy uses); I
Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 1:5
5. Before I formed thee — Jeremiah was assigned to an extraordinary work. The emphasis and solemnity of this assignment are here indicated by the fulness of the statement.
Sermons on Jeremiah 1:5
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A Word for Those Who Want to Know God by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the book of Daniel and how it relates to our modern times. He highlights Daniel's prophecy about an increase in travel and knowledge in the l |
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Israel in the End Times by David Pawson | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the signs that Jesus gave regarding his second coming. He explains that there are four main signs: famine, wars, earthquakes in the world; a g |
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Wall of Fire by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher shares a personal experience of watching a disturbing music video by Michael Jackson that depicted demonic and occultist imagery. This experience led t |
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Jack Hyles Fresh Oil Part 1 by Jack Hyles | This sermon emphasizes the importance of being anointed with fresh oil, drawing parallels to King David's anointing as a symbol of God's empowerment and calling. It shares a person |
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Breaking the Bondage of an Ungodly Heritage by Don Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the concept of breaking the chains of an ungodly heritage. He criticizes the idea that individuals are not personally responsible for their ac |
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He Will Soon Rejoice in His Love by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that God will do a work in believers, helping them understand true strength and truth. He assures that with this understanding, believers wi |
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Fire in Your Bones (Kwasizabantu) by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker shares his personal struggles and doubts as a preacher. He mentions how people accused him of being a hypocrite and a false prophet, which caused him to |