Jeremiah 23:6

My Notes

What Does Jeremiah 23:6 Mean?

Jeremiah prophesies a coming king with a stunning name: in his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

In his days — the prophecy points to a specific future king, the righteous Branch raised unto David (v.5). In the days of this king's reign, transformation comes to God's people.

Judah shall be saved — salvation for the southern kingdom. Not temporary military relief but genuine, lasting salvation. The verb (yasha) is the root of the names Joshua and Jesus — to deliver, to save, to rescue.

Israel shall dwell safely — the northern kingdom (long since scattered by Assyria) is included in the restoration. The divided nation is reunited under this king. Dwell safely (betach) means to live in security, confidence, and trust — free from the threat that defined Israel's existence among hostile nations.

THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS (Yahweh Tsidqenu) — the king's name is a theological statement. The LORD (Yahweh — God's covenant name) is our righteousness. The king does not merely practice righteousness or enforce it. He is named Yahweh-our-righteousness — the identification of the coming king with God himself, and the declaration that the righteousness his people need comes not from their own efforts but from him.

The name is one of the clearest messianic prophecies in Jeremiah. The coming king is identified with Yahweh. The righteousness he provides is divine righteousness, not human achievement. Paul echoes this theology in 1 Corinthians 1:30: Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness.

Reflection Questions

• 1.What does the name 'THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS' reveal about the source of the righteousness God's people need?
• 2.How does this prophecy connect to Paul's teaching that Christ 'is made unto us righteousness' (1 Corinthians 1:30)?
• 3.What is the difference between producing your own righteousness and receiving the LORD's righteousness?
• 4.How does knowing your righteousness is his name — not your achievement — change the way you approach God?

Devotional

In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely. A king is coming. And when he reigns, everything changes. Judah — saved. Israel — safe. The divided, scattered, perpetually threatened people of God will finally be delivered and secure. Not temporarily. Permanently. In his days — when this king sits on the throne.

And this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Read the name slowly. Yahweh Tsidqenu. The LORD — our righteousness. The coming king is not just righteous. He is named The-LORD-is-our-righteousness. The righteousness you need — the standing before God that you cannot manufacture — is his name. It is who he is. It is what he provides.

Our righteousness. Not your righteousness. Not the righteousness you have earned through moral effort or religious performance. Our — given, shared, provided. The righteousness belongs to the LORD, and he gives it to his people. You do not produce it. You receive it.

This is the gospel embedded in Jeremiah — centuries before Paul wrote Romans. The coming king provides what the people cannot produce. The righteousness that saves Judah and secures Israel does not come from Judah or Israel. It comes from the one whose name is Yahweh-our-righteousness.

You do not have to manufacture your own righteousness. The king whose name is THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS has already provided it. Your standing before God is not built on what you have done. It is built on who he is. His name is your righteousness.

Commentary

Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.

Cross References

Related passages throughout Scripture