Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Knew thee - approved of thee as my chosen instrument (Exodus 33:12: cf. Isaiah 49:1; Romans 8:29).
Sanctified - rather, separated. The primary meaning is to set apart from a common to a special use; hence, arose the secondary sense, to sanctify, ceremonially and morally. It is not here meant that Yahweh cleansed Jeremiah from original sin, or regenerated him by his Spirit; but separated him to his special prophetic office, including in its range not merely the Hebrews, but also the nations hostile to them (Jeremiah 25:12-38; Jeremiah 27:1-22; Jeremiah 46:1-28; Jeremiah 47:1-7; Jeremiah 48:1-47; Jeremiah 49:1-39; Jeremiah 50:1-46; Jeremiah 51:1-64) (Henderson.) Not the effect, but the predestination in Yahweh's secret counsel, is meant by the sanctification here (cf. Luke 1:15; Acts 15:18; Galatians 1:15; Ephesians 1:11).