Is the “True Branch” Prophecy Really Part of Jeremiah?

The so-called “true branch” prophecy in Jeremiah 33:14–26 is lacking in the Septuagint version. Some scholars regard this passage as the work of a later redactor.¹ I disagree.

The passage affirms the perpetual nature of the covenant between God and Israel and assures that the Davidic line will rule forever and that the levitical priests will likewise continue to serve. In short, the promise of posterity made to the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Genesis 13:16, 15:5, 22:17) is now applied to the monarchy and the priests.

The passage reads as follows:

See, days are coming—declares the Lord—when I will fulfill the promise that I made concerning the House of Israel and the House of Judah. In those days and at that time, I will raise up a true branch of David’s line, and he shall do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah shall be delivered and Israel shall dwell secure. And this is what she shall be called: “The Lord is our Vindicator.” For thus said the Lord: There shall never be an end to men of David’s line who sit upon the throne of the House of Israel. Nor shall there ever be an end to the line of the levitical priests before Me, of those who present burnt offerings and turn the meal offering to smoke and perform sacrifices.