Jeremiah study section
Jeremiah word studies
A handful of Hebrew words carry the theology of Jeremiah. Tap the speaker next to any word to hear it pronounced.
Key words
שׁוּב (shuv) — “To Return, Repent”
Usage: Jeremiah 3:12, 14, 22; 4:1; 15:19
Meaning: To turn, return, or repent. It is the great word of Jeremiah’s appeal, as he calls the faithless people to “return” to the LORD.
Theological Significance: Shuv names the turning of the whole person back to God, the repentance Jeremiah pleaded for and the nation refused. It anticipates the gospel call to “repent and turn to God” (Acts 26:20), and the new covenant in which God Himself turns His people’s hearts to Him.
בְּרִית חֲדָשָׁה (berit chadashah) — “New Covenant”
Usage: Jeremiah 31:31-34
Meaning: A new covenant — a binding relationship God pledges to make with His people, not like the broken Sinai covenant, but with His law written on the heart and sins forgiven.
Theological Significance: This is the Old Testament’s clearest prophecy of the new covenant, and the New Testament declares it fulfilled in Christ, “the mediator of a new covenant,” sealed in His blood, expounded at length in Hebrews (Luke 22:20; Hebrews 8:8-12; 10:16-17).
צֶמַח (tzemach) — “Branch, Shoot”
Usage: Jeremiah 23:5; 33:15
Meaning: A branch, sprout, or shoot that grows up. It is a title for the promised righteous King from David’s line.
Theological Significance: The “righteous Branch” who reigns wisely and is called “The LORD is our righteousness” is fulfilled in Jesus, the Son of David, in whom God’s people are made righteous (Jeremiah 23:6; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
שֶׁקֶר (sheqer) — “Falsehood, Lie”
Usage: Jeremiah 6:13; 14:14; 23:25-26; 28:15
Meaning: Falsehood, deception, a lie. Jeremiah uses it repeatedly of the false prophets who prophesy sheqer and of the deceit that fills the people.
Theological Significance: The book’s exposure of comforting lies — “Peace, peace, when there is no peace” — warns God’s people to discern truth from falsehood. It points to Christ, who is “the truth” (John 14:6), and to the Spirit of truth who guides His people.
לֵב (lev) — “Heart”
Usage: Jeremiah 17:9-10; 24:7; 31:33; 32:39-40
Meaning: The heart — the inner person of thought, will, and desire, the true self that God alone searches.
Theological Significance: Jeremiah diagnoses the heart as “deceitful above all things,” and promises a new covenant in which God writes His law on the heart and gives “one heart” to know Him. This heart-transformation is fulfilled in Christ by the Spirit (Ezekiel 36:26; 2 Corinthians 3:3).
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