Jeremiah 23:23–24
God asks whether he is a God only nearby: he fills heaven and earth
Study it word by word23Am I an Elohim near at hand, declares YHWH, and not an Elohim far off?
24Can anyone hide himself in secret places so that I do not see him? declares YHWH. Do I not fill the heavens and the earth? declares YHWH.
In its context
21I did not send the prophets, yet they ran; I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied.
22But if they had stood in my council, then they would have made my people hear my words, and they would have turned them back from their evil way and from the evil of their deeds.
…
25I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy falsehood in my name, saying, ‘I have dreamed, I have dreamed!’
26How long? Is it in the heart of the prophets who prophesy falsehood, and prophets of the deceit of their own heart,
Its words in the original
- אֱלֹהֵיelohe· Elohim, God, gods
The Hebrew word usually translated "God". This translation keeps "Elohim" when it speaks of the one true God, the Creator, the God of Israel. The word ends like a plural, but it does not mean several: for him the verb is singular ("Elohim created"); the plural form expresses greatness. The same word as a common noun names the "gods" of other peoples, and there it is a true plural, translated "gods". It is also used of mighty ones or judges.
- קָּרֹבkarov· near
Near, close; also a close relative.
- נְאֻםneum· declaration
Solemn declaration. "Declares YHWH" is the formula that marks words as spoken by God himself.
- יְהוָהyehva· YHWH
The personal name of the God of Israel, written in Hebrew with four letters, Y-H-W-H, without vowels. Out of reverence Jews stopped pronouncing it and read "Adonai" (Lord), so many Bibles put "the LORD" or "Jehovah". This translation keeps the four letters. The name is related to the verb "to be" (Exodus 3:14-15). He is not a god other than Elohim: "YHWH Elohim" is the same Creator God, called by his name.
- רָחֹקrachok· far, distant
Far, distant, remote, in place or in time; often "from afar".
- יִסָּתֵרyisater· hide
Hide, conceal; be hidden.
- אִישׁish· man, husband, each
Man, male; with a possessive, husband. Also "each one", "anyone". It is "ish", distinct from "adam" (human being); it is used for the man in contrast with the woman ("ishah").
- מִּסְתָּרִיםmistarim· hiding place, covert
A hiding place: a hidden spot where someone hides or takes cover.
- אֶרְאֶere· see
See. Also look, observe, notice, consider; in some forms, "appear" or "show".
- שָּׁמַיִםshamayim· heavens, sky
The heavens: what is above, where the clouds, the sun and the stars are seen; also the dwelling of God. In Hebrew it is always plural. With birds, "the sky".
- אָרֶץarets· earth, land
The earth, in two senses: the whole world in contrast with the heavens, or a particular country or region ("the land of Egypt").
- מָלֵאmale· fill, be full
Fill or be full; also fulfill or complete (a time, a word given).