Jeremiah 32:17
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Jeremiah starts with awe for God's creative power, not just in making the universe but in calling it "great power and outstretched arm." This imagery, usually linked to God's mighty acts of rescue, is here applied to creation itself, emphasizing that God’s power is both the source of all things and the ultimate guarantor that nothing—not even seemingly impossible promises—is too difficult for Him.
‘Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jeremiah is in the midst of purchasing a field from his cousin, an act that seems illogical given the impending Babylonian invasion and destruction of Jerusalem. This prayer arises from that perplexing situation, acknowledging God's ultimate power over creation to question how His promises can be fulfilled amidst such devastation. The prophet's bold declaration of God's omnipotence serves as a foundation for his faith and prompts God's own affirmation of His power in the verses that follow.
Jeremiah is facing a bleak future, yet he starts his prayer by looking way, way up. What does the creation of the universe have to do with his present troubles?
Jeremiah begins his prayer by marveling at God's immense power, demonstrated in the creation of the heavens and the earth. This isn't just a poetic opening; it's a theological anchor. He's reminding himself—and us—that the God who spoke galaxies into existence is the same God he's praying to.
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Think about it: God didn't need raw materials or a blueprint. He simply spoke, and it was done (Genesis 1:1). This act of creation is the ultimate proof of His unlimited ability. It establishes that God is not bound by the limitations we face. He is the source of all power, the One who brought everything from nothingness into being.
The phrase 'nothing is too hard for you' is powerful, but its original sense might surprise you. It's not just about ability, but something deeper.
The Hebrew word translated as 'too hard' (or 'too wonderful' in some translations) points to something that lies outside the ordinary, something astonishing or beyond human comprehension. Jeremiah isn't just saying God can do anything; he's affirming that no situation, however baffling or unprecedented, is beyond God's scope of understanding or power.
Beyond Human Limits
For the people of Judah, Jeremiah's prophecy about the destruction and return from exile was exactly this kind of 'wonderful' or astonishing event. It seemed impossible. But Jeremiah is proclaiming that what is impossible for humans is not impossible for God. His power doesn't just operate within the normal bounds; it can transcend them.
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Understand the original words
Adonai YHWH · Hebrew Noun Phrase
A title for God (Adonai Yahweh) emphasizing His absolute sovereignty, lordship, and authority over all creation as the Master and Ruler.
koach · Hebrew Noun
The divine attribute of power that is unlimited, majestic, and effective in accomplishing God's sovereign purposes in creation and history.
zeroa netuyah · Hebrew Noun Phrase
A metaphorical expression of God’s active, personal, and powerful intervention in human history to deliver His people and judge His enemies.
Jeremiah utters this prayer during the devastating siege and destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. His words are a profound declaration of faith in God's ultimate power, reminding himself and his listeners that the God who created the heavens and earth is certainly capable of restoring a broken people and land.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many of its citizens. This event would have been a stark warning of God's judgment and a sign of his power to fulfill his word, even through destruction.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian Empire conquer Jerusalem and deport a first wave of Judean citizens, including noble youths like Daniel. This marked the beginning of the end for the Southern Kingdom.
c. 597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Another wave of Judeans, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel, are exiled to Babylon. The situation in Jerusalem becomes increasingly dire and hopeless.
c. 586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem
The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, sending the remaining population into exile. This catastrophic event deeply shook the people's faith and understanding of God's promises.
c. 586 BC
Jeremiah Buys a Field
In the midst of Jerusalem's destruction and Judah's defeat, Jeremiah, obeying God's command, purchases a field from his cousin Hanameel. This act symbolizes faith in a future restoration.
c. 586 BC
Jeremiah's Prayer and God's Response
Jeremiah prays, acknowledging God's absolute power in creation and His sovereignty over all things, even in the face of Jerusalem's devastation. God responds by reaffirming His commitment to restore His people.
This passage speaks to God's ultimate power as the Creator of the heavens and the earth, directly paralleling Jeremiah's opening statement and reinforcing the idea that the one who created everything is certainly capable of fulfilling His promises.
Psalm 146:6This psalm echoes Jeremiah's sentiment by declaring the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, emphasizing His faithfulness forever, which underpins the prophet's conviction that God's power is boundless.
Matthew 19:26Jesus' words that 'with God all things are possible' directly affirm the core truth Jeremiah is proclaiming – that God's omnipotence transcends any humanly perceived limitation.
Luke 1:37This verse states directly, 'For with God nothing will be impossible,' mirroring Jeremiah's declaration and serving as a foundational belief for faith in God's extraordinary interventions, like the virgin birth.
Jeremiah 32:27This verse is God's direct response to Jeremiah's prayer, repeating the phrase 'nothing is too hard for me,' showing that God delights in His people acknowledging His absolute power and sovereignty.
pooleJeremiah 32:17: "Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:"
He beginneth his prayer with a recognition of God’s omnipotency, and the infiniteness of his power, which was showed in his first making the heaven and the earth, as we read, Genesis 1:1 Psalm 146:6 . God himself used this instance to confirm his people’s faith in his ability to do what he pleased, Jeremiah 27:5 . It is observable, that…
pulpitJeremiah 32:17: "Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:"
Verse 17. - Ah, Lord God! rather, Alas! O Lord Jehovah (as Jeremiah 1:6). Too hard for thee. It is the word usually rendered "wonderful," but rather indicating that thing or person lies outside the common order (comp. Genesis 18:14).
Jeremiah starts with awe for God's creative power, not just in making the universe but in calling it "great power and outstretched arm." This imagery, usually linked to God's mighty acts of rescue, is here applied to creation itself, emphasizing that God’s power is both the source of all things and the ultimate guarantor that nothing—not even seemingly impossible promises—is too difficult for Him.
Jeremiah is in the midst of purchasing a field from his cousin, an act that seems illogical given the impending Babylonian invasion and destruction of Jerusalem. This prayer arises from that perplexing situation, acknowledging God's ultimate power over creation to question how His promises can be fulfilled amidst such devastation. The prophet's bold declaration of God's omnipotence serves as a foundation for his faith and prompts God's own affirmation of His power in the verses that follow.
Jeremiah is in the midst of purchasing a field from his cousin, an act that seems illogical given the impending Babylonian invasion and destruction of Jerusalem. This prayer arises from that perplexing situation, acknowledging God's ultimate power over creation to question how His promises can be fulfilled amidst such devastation. The prophet's bold declaration of God's omnipotence serves as a foundation for his faith and prompts God's own affirmation of His power in the verses that follow.
"‘Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you." — Jeremiah starts with awe for God's creative power, not just in making the universe but in calling it "great power and outstretched arm." This imagery, usually linked to God's mighty acts of rescue, i…
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Last reviewed October 2026
