What Does Jeremiah 33:17 Mean in the King James?
For thus saith the LORD; David shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel;
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 throne is pictured as a seat in an unbroken line, and the Hebrew word behind “want” adds the image of that line not being severed.
THE MEANING
The promise names continuity as a person seated on the throne: David’s line is not left without one who occupies it. Alongside the KJV’s sense of lack, the Hebrew verb carries the image of being cut off. David’s name carries the sense of “beloved,” tying the promise to David himself.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
A pause, vacancy, or disruption means the line is gone for good.
THE ROOT
יִכָּרֵת
yikkaret
GROWS FROM
כרת
To cut or sever; in this form, to be cut off.
“want” in this verse is yikkaret. Alongside the KJV’s sense of lacking a man, the Hebrew verb gives the promise an image of severance: David’s line is not cut off. The same root also appears in language for cutting a covenant, bringing the ideas of an unsevered line and covenant continuity close together.
ALSO GROWS
karat: To cut or sever.
כָּרַת
This basic verb makes the image of a line being cut through explicit.
keritut: Severance; used in the phrase “bill of divorcement.”
כְּרִיתוּת
The noun keeps the root’s sense of a bond being severed in view.
karat berit: To cut a covenant.
כָּרַת בְּרִית
The idiom connects the root of severance with covenant-making; here the promise says David’s line is not severed.
יֹשֵׁב
yoshev
GROWS FROM
ישב
To sit, dwell, or remain.
“sit” in this verse is yoshev. The person on the throne is described with a word that also means dwelling. The promise holds together the act of sitting and the continuing presence of someone who remains there.
ALSO GROWS
yashav: To sit or dwell.
יָשַׁב
The verb gives the throne’s occupant the sense of someone present in a place.
moshav: A dwelling place, seat, or settlement.
מוֹשָׁב
This related noun links sitting with a place of residence, deepening the image of an occupied throne.
דָּוִד
Dawid
GROWS FROM
דוד
Beloved.
The name David carries the sense of “beloved” within it. The promise is attached to David by name, so the continuing throne is presented through a person as well as a royal line.
ALSO GROWS
dod: Beloved; also used for a close relative such as an uncle.
דּוֹד
The root meaning adds the nature of “beloved” to David’s name.
dodim: Love or expressions of affection.
דּוֹדִים
This related form keeps the root’s sense of belovedness and affection audible beside David’s name.
THE PATTERN
Continuity is pictured as a throne, seed, or service that remains established across generations.
And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.THE THREAD
Neither shall the priests the Levites want a man before me to offer burnt offerings, and to kindle meat offerings, and to do sacrifice continually.The next verse repeats the same Hebrew verb for being cut off in its promise that the Levites will not lack a man for service. The royal line and the priestly service are paired through one image: neither is severed.
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