Jeremiah 16:21
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This verse highlights God's ultimate, decisive action – "this once." It’s not just a declaration of power, but a statement that His judgment will be a final, unforgettable lesson, unlike the mercies they previously ignored. Through this severe act, they will finally grasp His true nature as "the LORD," the self-existent, mighty God whose word is unshakeable.
“Therefore, behold, I will make them know, this once I will make them know my power and my might, and they shall know that my name is the LORD.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
After announcing a coming judgment that will eclipse even the memory of the Exodus from Egypt, God declares that this impending disaster will be the definitive moment His people experience His power. This judgment, the Babylonian exile, will decisively reveal that He, Jehovah, is the true and mighty God, a truth they have repeatedly ignored through their idolatry and disobedience. Therefore, the verse marks the final, undeniable demonstration of God's might in judgment, forcing them to acknowledge His supreme authority.
God's judgment isn't random or endless. When He says 'this once,' it carries the weight of finality, a pivotal moment of divine action.
In Jeremiah 16:21, God declares, 'I will this once cause them to know.' This isn't just another warning; it signifies a decisive, unrepeatable act of judgment.
A Last Resort
This declaration comes after a long history of God's patience and mercy towards Israel. Yet, their persistent rebellion has left Him with no other recourse. The 'this once' emphasizes that the impending judgment—the Babylonian conquest and exile—will be a singular, monumental event.
Unveiling Divine Power
God's power and might, previously demonstrated through acts of salvation like the Exodus, will now be made terrifyingly clear through His judgment. This isn't a failure of God's power, but a deliberate display of its terrifying scope when directed against persistent sin.
Israel had known God's mercy, but failed to truly know Him. Now, judgment would teach a brutal, unforgettable lesson.
Jeremiah 16:21 reveals a crucial aspect of knowing God: it's not just about experiencing His goodness, but also understanding the full spectrum of His character, including His righteous judgment.
The Limits of Grace
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The commentaries highlight that God’s previous acts of mercy—like the Exodus from Egypt—had not led the people to truly know Him or His power. They had become accustomed to His grace without internalizing its source or the seriousness of disobeying such a merciful God.
Judgment as Revelation
When mercy fails to produce repentance, judgment becomes a harsh, but effective, teacher. God declares, 'they shall know that my name is the LORD.' This signifies a deep, experiential knowledge of His holiness, His faithfulness to His word (both promises and threats), and His absolute sovereignty. It's a knowledge born of consequence, proving He is not like the powerless idols they chased.
Understand the original words
yad · Hebrew Noun
The attribute of God referring to His inherent strength, ability, and capacity to perform His will and sustain His creation. In Scripture, it is often manifested in acts of judgment or salvation.
geburah · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the manifestation of God’s sovereign strength and supreme authority. It denotes His capability to act decisively and irresistibly in history to accomplish His purposes.
Yahweh · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God revealed to Moses (YHWH). It signifies His self-existence, eternal nature, and His faithfulness to the covenant relationship with His people.
Jeremiah 16:21 speaks with the authority of a final, definitive judgment. The historical context of the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BC shows this was not just a threat, but a devastating reality where God demonstrated His power and might in judgment, forcing His people to truly know Him as LORD.
Late 8th Century BC
Assyrian Exile of Northern Kingdom
The northern kingdom of Israel (ten tribes) was exiled by the Assyrian Empire under Tiglath-Pileser III and later Shalmaneser V. This event served as a stark warning of divine judgment for disobedience.
597 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon deported King Jehoiachin and a significant portion of Jerusalem's elite, including the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon. This was a major step in Judah's downfall.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar's forces conquered Jerusalem, destroyed Solomon's Temple, and deported the remaining population to Babylon. This devastating event brought Jeremiah's prophecies of judgment to their fulfillment.
c. 586-538 BC
Babylonian Exile
The Judean people lived in exile in Babylon, a period of profound national and religious crisis, where they were forced to confront their relationship with the LORD and their idols.
538 BC
Cyrus' Decree and Return from Exile
Cyrus the Great of Persia allowed the Jewish exiles to return to Judah and rebuild the Temple. This marked the beginning of the restoration period.
This passage reveals God's self-understanding as the eternal 'I AM,' which directly relates to Jeremiah's declaration that His people will know His name is LORD (Jehovah), emphasizing His unchanging, self-existent nature.
Ezekiel 36:23Like Jeremiah, Ezekiel speaks of God sanctifying His great name among the nations, showing that God's ultimate purpose in judgment and restoration is to make His true identity and power known.
Isaiah 42:8This verse is a foundational statement of God's unique identity, 'I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I will not give to another,' underscoring the gravity of Jeremiah's message that His people will finally acknowledge His supreme authority.
Psalm 83:18This Psalm echoes Jeremiah's verse, declaring 'that people may know that you alone, whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth,' highlighting the universal recognition of God's sovereignty that is at the heart of Jeremiah's prophecy.
Hebrews 12:29The New Testament reminds us that our God is a 'consuming fire,' a truth that powerfully resonates with Jeremiah's warning that God's people will 'know His might' through His judgments, demonstrating the terrifying holiness of God.
clarkeJeremiah 16:21: "Therefore, behold, I will this once cause them to know, I will cause them to know mine hand and my might; and they shall know that my name is The LORD."
Therefore, behold, I will this once - I will not now change my purpose. They shall be visited and carried into captivity; nothing shall prevent this: and they shall know that my name is Jehovah. Since they would not receive the abundance of my mercies, they shall know what the true God can do in the way of judgment.
cambridgeJeremiah 16:21: "Therefore, behold, I will this once cause them to know, I will cause them to know mine hand and my might; and they shall know that my name is The LORD."
21 . Gi. considers this v . to be late, as being in the style of the second Is. (cp. Isaiah 42:6 ) and Ezek. ( Ezekiel 36:23 ).
This verse highlights God's ultimate, decisive action – "this once." It’s not just a declaration of power, but a statement that His judgment will be a final, unforgettable lesson, unlike the mercies they previously ignored. Through this severe act, they will finally grasp His true nature as "the LORD," the self-existent, mighty God whose word is unshakeable.
After announcing a coming judgment that will eclipse even the memory of the Exodus from Egypt, God declares that this impending disaster will be the definitive moment His people experience His power. This judgment, the Babylonian exile, will decisively reveal that He, Jehovah, is the true and mighty God, a truth they have repeatedly ignored through their idolatry and disobedience. Therefore, the verse marks the final, undeniable demonstration of God's might in judgment, forcing them to acknowledge His supreme authority.
After announcing a coming judgment that will eclipse even the memory of the Exodus from Egypt, God declares that this impending disaster will be the definitive moment His people experience His power. This judgment, the Babylonian exile, will decisively reveal that He, Jehovah, is the true and mighty God, a truth they have repeatedly ignored through their idolatry and disobedience. Therefore, the verse marks the final, undeniable demonstration of God's might in judgment, forcing them to acknowledge His supreme authority.
"“Therefore, behold, I will make them know, this once I will make them know my power and my might, and they shall know that my name is the LORD.”" — This verse highlights God's ultimate, decisive action – "this once." It’s not just a declaration of power, but a statement that His judgment will be a final, unforgettable lesson, unlike the mercies…
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Last reviewed October 2026
