Jeremiah 33:21

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 33:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he shall not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, my ministers.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he shall not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, my ministers.
Jeremiah 33:21 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 33

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
21then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he shall not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, my ministers.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“[Then] may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, etc.] A type of the Messiah, with whom the covenant of grace is made, stands fast, and will never be broken; (see <198903>Psalm 89:3,28,34); for, as the other is impossible, the breaking of the covenant with day and night, or hindering the certain rotation of them; so likewise as impossible is the breaking of the covenant with David concerning the perpetuity of his kingdom in the Messiah: that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne; which he has in Christ, and ever will have; for he shall reign for ever and ever: and with the Levites my priests, my ministers; of the line of Phinehas, to whom an everlasting priesthood was…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“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. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“may: Sa2 23:5; Ch2 7:18, Ch2 21:7; Psa 89:34, Psa 132:11, Psa 132:12, Psa 132:17; Isa 55:3; Mat 24:35; Luk 1:69, Luk 1:70 that he: From the destruction of Jerusalem to the present time, a period of nearly eighteen hundred years, the Jews have had neither a king nor any form of government whatever; nor has the office of high priest, or priest of any kind offering sacrifice, been exercised among them during the same period. Hence this must be understood of the spiritual David, Jesus Christ, both the king and High Priest of his church, "the Israel of God," ( Gal 6:16), in whom the covenant of royalty with David and his seed, and that of priesthood with Aaron and his seed, have received their…”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification