God powerfully reveals Himself so that we might know Him and trust in His name.
“Therefore behold, I am going to make them know—This time I will make them know My power and My might; And they shall know that My name is the LORD” (Jeremiah 16:21). In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah, who ministered in the late 7th century BC through the early 6th century BC (around 627 BC until after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC), delivers a declaration from the LORD. By stating, “I am going to make them know My power and My might” (Jeremiah 16:21), the Almighty emphasizes His unmatchable ability to intervene in the course of human history. Jeremiah, known as the “weeping prophet,” faithfully proclaimed God’s messages of both judgment and restoration to the people of Judah, who were struggling with idolatry and a lack of genuine devotion. Through the prophet’s words, the LORD stresses that once He acts, the people will no longer be able to ignore who He truly is.
When the LORD says, “And they shall know that My name is the LORD” (Jeremiah 16:21), it indicates a defining moment of revelation. In ancient Hebrew culture, a person’s name signified their character; thus, God’s name encapsulates His attributes, such as holiness, justice, and mercy. This announcement is not merely about intellectual acknowledgment; it points to a deep, life-altering awareness of the true God. Throughout the Old Testament and fulfillingly in the New Testament, God reveals Himself as the sovereign One who desires a covenant relationship with His people. Jesus Himself, centuries later, would embody the fullness of God, showing the might of the LORD most demonstrably in His resurrection (Romans 1:4).
Jeremiah’s audience faced imminent consequences for their sins, yet this verse reminds them they have not fallen outside of God’s grace. The LORD’s commitment to making Himself known encompasses both correction and restoration. This dual purpose is seen elsewhere in Scripture where God’s mighty deeds, whether in judgment or redemption, reveal His nature (Exodus 6:6-7). Ultimately, the recognition of God’s name becomes an invitation to draw near to Him, echoing the overarching biblical theme that God’s power leads not only to fear but also to repentance, humility, and renewed fellowship.
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Jeremiah 16:21 meaning
“Therefore behold, I am going to make them know—This time I will make them know My power and My might; And they shall know that My name is the LORD” (Jeremiah 16:21). In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah, who ministered in the late 7th century BC through the early 6th century BC (around 627 BC until after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC), delivers a declaration from the LORD. By stating, “I am going to make them know My power and My might” (Jeremiah 16:21), the Almighty emphasizes His unmatchable ability to intervene in the course of human history. Jeremiah, known as the “weeping prophet,” faithfully proclaimed God’s messages of both judgment and restoration to the people of Judah, who were struggling with idolatry and a lack of genuine devotion. Through the prophet’s words, the LORD stresses that once He acts, the people will no longer be able to ignore who He truly is.
When the LORD says, “And they shall know that My name is the LORD” (Jeremiah 16:21), it indicates a defining moment of revelation. In ancient Hebrew culture, a person’s name signified their character; thus, God’s name encapsulates His attributes, such as holiness, justice, and mercy. This announcement is not merely about intellectual acknowledgment; it points to a deep, life-altering awareness of the true God. Throughout the Old Testament and fulfillingly in the New Testament, God reveals Himself as the sovereign One who desires a covenant relationship with His people. Jesus Himself, centuries later, would embody the fullness of God, showing the might of the LORD most demonstrably in His resurrection (Romans 1:4).
Jeremiah’s audience faced imminent consequences for their sins, yet this verse reminds them they have not fallen outside of God’s grace. The LORD’s commitment to making Himself known encompasses both correction and restoration. This dual purpose is seen elsewhere in Scripture where God’s mighty deeds, whether in judgment or redemption, reveal His nature (Exodus 6:6-7). Ultimately, the recognition of God’s name becomes an invitation to draw near to Him, echoing the overarching biblical theme that God’s power leads not only to fear but also to repentance, humility, and renewed fellowship.