Bible Strands
Jeremiah 30:21
Their leader will be one of their own, and their ruler will arise from their midst. And I will bring him near, and he will approach Me, for who would dare on his own to approach Me?” declares the LORD.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The LORD speaks through Jeremiah to the house of Israel and Judah during a prophetic announcement of future restoration and regathering.
The words — The Hebrew אַדִּיר (addîr) literally means "noble" or "mighty," while מֹשֵׁל (mōšēl) means "ruler" or "one who rules." Both terms establish that the coming leader will emerge directly from the people rather than from an external source.
The thread — This pattern of a divinely appointed shepherd-king from within the community appears in Ezekiel 34:23 and Ezekiel 37:24, while the principle of God revealing His chosen leader is echoed in Numbers 16:5.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to acknowledge that legitimate spiritual authority stems from divine initiative, not human ambition. It demands that one recognize approaching the divine requires God's invitation and appointment, not personal presumption.
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
And their nobles shall be of themselves, and their governor shall proceed from the midst of them; and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me: for who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the Lord.
Cross-references
- Numbers 16:5 Then he said to Korah and all his followers, “Tomorrow morning the LORD will reveal who belongs to Him and who is holy, and He will bring that person near to Himself. The one He chooses He will bring near to Himself.
- Ezekiel 34:23 I will appoint over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them. He will feed them and be their shepherd.
- Ezekiel 37:24 My servant David will be king over them, and there will be one shepherd for all of them. They will follow My ordinances and keep and observe My statutes.
- Acts 5:31 God exalted Him to His right hand as Prince and Savior, in order to grant repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.
- Mark 11:9 The ones who went ahead and those who followed were shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”
- Deuteronomy 18:18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him.
- Deuteronomy 33:5 So the LORD became King in Jeshurun when the leaders of the people gathered, when the tribes of Israel came together.
- 2 Samuel 7:13 He will build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
- Psalms 110:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”
- Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.