Jeremiah 23:6 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely - (cf. Jeremiah 33:16, where "Jerusalem" is substituted for "Israel" here). Only Judah, and that only in part, has as yet returned. So far are the Jews from having enjoyed, as yet, the temporal blessings here foretold as the result of Messiah's reign, their lot has been for 18 centuries worse than ever before. The accomplishment must therefore be still future, when both Judah and Israel, in their own land, shall dwell safely under a Christocracy far more privileged than even the old theocracy (Jeremiah 32:37); but no longer isolated in national exclusiveness, and "alone" (Deuteronomy 33:28; Isaiah 54:1; Isaiah 60:1-22; Isaiah 65:17-25; Zechariah 14:11).

This is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD - "shall be called" - i:e., shall be (Isaiah 9:6) Yahweh (H3068), God's incommunicable name. Though when applied to created things it expresses only some special connection they have with Yahweh (Genesis 22:14, "Yahweh-jireh" the name given by Abraham to the place of his offering of Isaac; Exodus 17:15, "Yahweh-nissi," the name given by Moses to the altar that commemorated the overthrow of Amalek); yet, when applied to Messiah, it must express His Godhead manifested in justifying power toward us (1 Timothy 3:16).

OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS - "Our" marks His manhood, which is also implied in His being a Branch raised unto David, whence His human title, "Son of David" (cf. Matthew 22:42-45). "Righteousness" marks His Godhead, because only God can justify the ungodly (cf. Romans 4:5; Isaiah 45:17; Isaiah 45:24-25).

Jeremiah 23:6

6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.