What Does Jeremiah 23:20 Mean in the King James?
The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The anger’s delay is tied to a purpose being made to stand, and understanding arrives only after that purpose is complete.
THE MEANING
The LORD’s anger remains until the purpose held in his heart is carried out and established. In the latter days, you can discern what that completed work means. The verse holds the anger and its outcome together, then places understanding after them.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It dissolves the belief that divine anger is only a passing flare, detached from any purpose or outcome.
THE ROOT
מְזִמּוֹת לִבּוֹ
mezimmot libbo
GROWS FROM
ז־מ־ם
z-m-m
to devise, plan, or plot
“thoughts of his heart” in this verse is mezimmot libbo. The Hebrew word מְזִמּוֹת (mezimmot, devised plans) can carry the sense of a design or scheme, beyond passing thoughts. Paired with the language of carrying out and establishing, it presents the heart’s purpose as something brought to completion.
ALSO GROWS
zamam: to devise or plan; sometimes to plot
זָמַם
This verb shares the seed of the noun here, tying the heart’s thoughts to deliberate design.
mezimmah: a plan, design, or scheme
מְזִמָּה
This related noun shows how the same root can name an intention with a formed shape and direction.
תִּתְבּוֹנְנוּ בָּהּ בִּינָה
titbonenu bah binah
GROWS FROM
ב־י־ן
b-y-n
to discern, distinguish, or understand
“consider it perfectly” in this verse is titbonenu bah binah. The Hebrew repeats the same root in the verb and noun: you will understand it with understanding. The root also appears in בֵּין (bein, between), giving discernment the shape of seeing distinctions that become clear when the outcome is complete.
ALSO GROWS
bin: to discern or understand
בִּין
This verb supplies the sense of the verse’s promise that the matter will become intelligible.
bein: between or among
בֵּין
The shared root links understanding with distinguishing one thing from another.
binah: understanding or discernment
בִּינָה
This noun appears in the verse itself, intensifying the promise of understanding.
הֲקִימוֹ
haqimo
GROWS FROM
קוּם
q-w-m
to rise, stand, or be established
The Hebrew form behind “performed” comes from a verb meaning to make something stand or establish it. The purpose is not only acted upon; it is brought into established reality.
ALSO GROWS
qum: to rise or stand
קוּם
This basic form gives the verse’s idea of establishment its image of something standing in place.
heqim: to raise, set up, or establish
הֵקִים
This related form makes clear how a purpose can be made to stand through completion.
THE PATTERN
Divine judgment remains active until its purpose reaches completion, and its full shape becomes clear in the appointed time.
The fierce anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have done it, and until he have performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it.For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction.But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;THE THREAD
The fierce anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have done it, and until he have performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it.Jeremiah 30:24 repeats this line and renders מְזִמּוֹת (mezimmot, devised plans) as “intents,” bringing out the sense of a formed purpose beneath “thoughts.” The repeated wording ties the latter days to the point when that purpose has been carried through and can be understood.
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