Jeremiah 33:21
then also my covenant with David my servant may be broken, so that he shall not have a son to reign on his throne, and my covenant with the Levitical priests my ministers.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This verse presents a stunning assertion: God’s covenant with David and the Levitical priests is presented as being as breakable as the fundamental order of day and night. This isn't to say God will break it, but rather it highlights the absolute certainty of His promises; if the sun ever failed to rise, then His commitment to David's lineage and the priesthood might falter. It underscores that God's faithfulness is even more foundational than the predictable rhythm of the cosmos.
This verse is part of Jeremiah's prophecy of future restoration, coming right after God promised to send a righteous branch who would execute justice and righteousness. Jeremiah is emphasizing the unbreakable nature of God's promises by presenting a hypothetical scenario: only if the predictable cycles of day and night could be broken, or the sun and moon cease their courses, would God's covenant with David and the Levitical priests also be broken. This passage directly references God's earlier covenant with David in 2 Samuel 7, which promised an everlasting dynasty.
Ever wonder if God's promises are really guaranteed? This verse uses a radical 'if-then' statement to show just how certain God's faithfulness is.
Jeremiah 33:21 presents a seemingly impossible scenario to underscore the unbreakable nature of God's covenants. The verse says, 'Then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant... and with the Levites the priests...' This isn't a genuine possibility; it's a rhetorical device.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Jeremiah 33:21 is available in the Sola app.
By linking these covenants to the continuation of day and night (implied in the surrounding verses), God declares that His promises are as sure and reliable as the natural order He created. If the sun were to stop rising, then His covenants might fail. But since that's impossible, so is the failure of His promises to David and the Levites, pointing to the ultimate fulfillment in Christ.
The promises made to David and the Levites weren't just for them. They were prophetic glimpses pointing to someone far greater.
The covenants mentioned in Jeremiah 33:21 with David and the Levites are deeply significant because they serve as 'types' or foreshadows of Jesus Christ.
When Jeremiah speaks of these covenants, he's not just talking about political succession or religious ritual. He's pointing forward to the ultimate King and Priest who would secure God's people forever through His own unbreakable covenant of grace.
Understand the original words
berit · Hebrew Noun
A formal, binding agreement between God and his people, often involving promises, conditions, and signs. In the context of David and the Levites, it signifies an everlasting, unconditional divine commitment.
ebed · Hebrew Noun
A title for one chosen by God to perform a specific task or mission. In the Bible, it often denotes humility, obedience, and closeness to God, especially for those in positions of leadership or prophecy.
levi · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
Refers to the descendants of Levi, set apart by God for priestly service. They were responsible for the sanctuary, offerings, and teaching the law to the people of Israel.
sharath · Hebrew Verb
Those who perform religious duties and service to God. It carries the sense of performing a sacred office or ministry before the Lord.
This verse is spoken during the Babylonian exile, a time when the Davidic monarchy and Levitical priesthood were in disarray, making God's reaffirmation of His unbreakable covenants with David and the Levites profoundly hopeful.
c. 970 BC
David's Covenant and the Temple Promise
God establishes a lasting covenant with King David, promising an eternal dynasty through his lineage and the construction of a house for God's name. This is foundational for understanding future promises related to David's throne.
c. 931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
Following Solomon's reign, the united monarchy splits into the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah, weakening the Davidic dynasty's influence.
722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many of its inhabitants and ending the lineage of kings in that region.
597 BC— this verse
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Jerusalem, exiling King Jehoiachin (a descendant of David) and many of the elite, including priests, to Babylon. This event directly threatens the continuation of the Davidic line and Levitical ministry.
587/586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and the First Temple, further scattering the people of Judah and seemingly bringing an end to the Davidic monarchy and Levitical worship in Jerusalem.
This passage lays the foundation for God's unconditional covenant with David, promising an everlasting dynasty, which Jeremiah is referencing here as an unbreakable assurance.
Psalm 89:1-37This psalm laments the apparent breaking of God's covenant with David, highlighting the deep fear and despair that would arise if such an unbreakable promise could be voided.
Numbers 25:12-13This passage describes God's covenant of an everlasting priesthood with Phinehas and his descendants, paralleling the covenant with the Levitical priests that Jeremiah assures will not be broken.
Hebrews 7:24This New Testament passage speaks of Jesus as having an unchangeable priesthood, directly fulfilling the assurance given to the Levitical lineage and the covenant with David's line.
pooleJeremiah 33:21: "Then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, my ministers."
No text from Poole on this verse.
barnesJeremiah 33:21: "Then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, my ministers."
This promise also has been not literally, but spiritually fulfilled, for in this sense only have the seed of David and the Levites been multiplied.
This verse presents a stunning assertion: God’s covenant with David and the Levitical priests is presented as being as breakable as the fundamental order of day and night. This isn't to say God will break it, but rather it highlights the absolute certainty of His promises; if the sun ever failed to rise, then His commitment to David's lineage and the priesthood might falter. It underscores that God's faithfulness is even more foundational than the predictable rhythm of the cosmos.
This verse is part of Jeremiah's prophecy of future restoration, coming right after God promised to send a righteous branch who would execute justice and righteousness. Jeremiah is emphasizing the unbreakable nature of God's promises by presenting a hypothetical scenario: only if the predictable cycles of day and night could be broken, or the sun and moon cease their courses, would God's covenant with David and the Levitical priests also be broken. This passage directly references God's earlier covenant with David in 2 Samuel 7, which promised an everlasting dynasty.
This verse is part of Jeremiah's prophecy of future restoration, coming right after God promised to send a righteous branch who would execute justice and righteousness. Jeremiah is emphasizing the unbreakable nature of God's promises by presenting a hypothetical scenario: only if the predictable cycles of day and night could be broken, or the sun and moon cease their courses, would God's covenant with David and the Levitical priests also be broken. This passage directly references God's earlier covenant with David in 2 Samuel 7, which promised an everlasting dynasty.
"then also my covenant with David my servant may be broken, so that he shall not have a son to reign on his throne, and my covenant with the Levitical priests my ministers." — This verse presents a stunning assertion: God’s covenant with David and the Levitical priests is presented as being as breakable as the fundamental order of day and night. This isn't to say God *will…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
