Bible Strands
Jeremiah 1:8
Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The LORD speaks to Jeremiah, who has just protested his youth (v. 7), in the middle of a commissioning that will end with God placing His words in Jeremiah's mouth (v. 9).
The words — לְ/הַצִּלֶ֖/ךָ (lēhaṣṣilēkha, "to deliver/rescue you") is the hinge of the promise; the root ṣālāh denotes active rescue from danger, not mere accompaniment.
The thread — The same formula—divine presence as the ground for courage—appears in Joshua 1:5, 9 and in Isaiah 51:7, where the prohibition is against human scorn rather than a specific opponent.
Why it lands — The verse does not remove the threat; it names the object of fear ("them") and then binds God's presence to a specific outcome (rescue), asking the reader to act on a promise of deliverance rather than on the absence of danger.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.
Cross-references
- Joshua 1:5 No one shall stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so will I be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
- Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
- Isaiah 51:7 Listen to Me, you who know what is right, you people with My law in your hearts: Do not fear the scorn of men; do not be broken by their insults.
- Luke 12:4 I tell you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.
- Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”
- Jeremiah 15:20 Then I will make you a wall to this people, a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you to save and deliver you, declares the LORD.
- Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”
- Ezekiel 2:6 But you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns surround you, and you dwell among scorpions. Do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their presence, though they are a rebellious house.
- Exodus 3:12 “I will surely be with you,” God said, “and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, all of you will worship God on this mountain.”
- Deuteronomy 31:8 The LORD Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”