Jeremiah 4:2

and if you can swear, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ in truth, in justice, and in righteousness, then the nations will be blessed by Him, and in Him they will glory.”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The LORD addresses Israel and Judah, demanding a return from idolatry and wavering as the condition for national restoration.

The words — נִשְׁבַּ֙עְתָּ֙ (nish.Ba'.ta) means "you will swear," and חַי־ יְהוָ֔ה (chai- / Yah.weh) literally translates to "as surely as the LORD lives," framing the oath around divine life rather than human merit.

The thread — This oath formula and the blessing of the nations echo Genesis 22:18 and Isaiah 65:16, where swearing and blessing are anchored in the God of truth.

Why it lands — The text requires a public confession of loyalty grounded in truth, justice, and righteousness before external blessings follow.

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

וְנִשְׁבַּ֙עְתָּ֙ve./nish.Ba'.taand/ you will swear חַי־chai-[by] [the] life יְהוָ֔הYah.wehof Yahweh בֶּאֱמֶ֖תbe./'e.Metin/ faithfulness בְּמִשְׁפָּ֣טbe./mish.Patin/ justice וּבִצְדָקָ֑הu./vi/tz.da.Kahand/ in/ righteousness וְהִתְבָּ֥רְכוּve./hit.Ba.re.khuand/ they will bless themselvesב֛וֹv/oby <the>/ himגּוֹיִ֖םgo.Yimnationsוּב֥וֹu./V/oand/ in <the>/ himיִתְהַלָּֽלוּ׃ סyit.ha.La.luthey will boast

King James Version

And thou shalt swear, The Lord liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.

Cross-references

Isaiah 65:16 Whoever invokes a blessing in the land will do so by the God of truth, and whoever takes an oath in the land will swear by the God of truth. For the former troubles will be forgotten and hidden from My sight.
Genesis 22:18 And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”
Jeremiah 9:24 But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.
Deuteronomy 10:20 You are to fear the LORD your God and serve Him. Hold fast to Him and take your oaths in His name.
1 Corinthians 1:31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”
2 Corinthians 10:17 Rather, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”
Psalms 72:17 May his name endure forever; may his name continue as long as the sun shines. In him may all nations be blessed; may they call him blessed.
Isaiah 45:25 In the LORD all descendants of Israel will be justified and will exult.
Jeremiah 12:16 And if they will diligently learn the ways of My people and swear by My name, saying, ‘As surely as the LORD lives’—just as they once taught My people to swear by Baal—then they will be established among My people.
Galatians 3:8 The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”