Jeremiah 1:5

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 (: cf. ; ).

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; Jeremiah 27:1; Jeremiah 46:1; Jeremiah 47:1; Jeremiah 48:1; Jeremiah 49:1; Jeremiah 50:1; Jeremiah 51:1) (Henderson.) Not the effect, but the predestination in Yahweh's secret counsel, is meant by the sanctification here (cf. ; ; ; ).