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Jeremiah 23:6 meaning

This verse assures every believer that the Lord Himself is our righteousness.

Jeremiah was an Old Testament prophet called by God to warn the people of Judah of impending judgment, faithfully ministering around 650 B.C. to 570 B.C.. In the midst of bleak prophecies, he also offered extraordinary glimpses of hope—one of which appears in the promise of a future king who would bring salvation and security to God’s people. He states, “In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell securely; And this is His name by which He will be called, ‘The LORD our righteousness’” (v.6). Jeremiah here envisions a time when both the southern kingdom (Judah) and the northern kingdom (Israel) will be united under God’s protection. This unification counters the political and spiritual turmoil Jeremiah himself witnessed in Jerusalem and the land of Judah, revealing a glorious future when God’s chosen ruler would reign in perfect justice.

In the broader context of this passage (Jeremiah 23:5-6), the prophet presents “a righteous Branch” who comes from David’s lineage—i.e., the rightful royal line established centuries earlier by God’s covenant with King David. The promise that this future king would act wisely and bring justice demonstrates God’s commitment to uphold His covenant, rescuing His people from the consequences of their sin. The name “The LORD our righteousness” reflects God’s own nature bestowed upon His people. Rather than achieving righteousness through their efforts, Judah and Israel would depend on the promised Messiah’s righteous rule, experiencing peace and deliverance through this divine provision.

This promise, ultimately fulfilled through Jesus Christ, illustrates how God’s redemptive plan would extend beyond immediate circumstances to restore relationship with His people for all time (Romans 3:21-26). Many Christians see Jeremiah’s prophecy as a foreshadow of Jesus’s work on the cross, delivering believers from sin and granting righteousness in place of guilt (2 Corinthians 5:21). By calling this coming ruler “The LORD our righteousness,” Jeremiah anchors salvation and security in God’s character rather than human merit, providing a confident hope for the future.

Jeremiah 23:6