Jeremiah 31
A plain-spoken deep dive on the whole chapter. Read the chapter →
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
CONTINUATION OF THE PROPHECY IN THE THIRTIETH CHAPTER. (Jer. 31:1-40) At the same time--"In the latter days" (Jer 30:24). the God of--manifesting My grace to (Gen 17:7; Mat 22:32; Rev 21:3). all . . . Israel--not the exiles of the south kingdom of Judah only, but also the north kingdom of the ten tribes; and not merely Israel in general, but "all the families of Israel." Never yet fulfilled (Rom 11:26).
Open source ↗At the same time, saith the Lord,.... The time of the Messiah, the Gospel dispensation, the latter days; when the Jews shall consider the prophecies of the Old Testament, and observe how they have been fulfilled in Jesus; and shall reflect upon their disbelief and rejection of him; and shall turn unto him, and serve the Lord their God, and David their king; see Jer 30:9; will I be the God of all the families of Israel; not of some few persons only, or of one of a city, and two of a family, but of every family; and this will be when "all Israel" shall be converted and saved, and a nation shall be born at once; then will God show himself to them as their covenant God, manifest his love to them, and bestow the blessings of his grace upon them: and they shall be my people; behave as such to him; own him to be their God, and serve and worship him.
Open source ↗The Salvation for all the Families of Israel. - Ewald has well stated the connection of this chapter with the conclusion of the preceding, as follows: "In order that the old form of blessing, found in the books of Moses, and here given in Jer 31:22, may be fulfilled, the whirlwind of Jahveh, which must carry away all the unrighteous, will at last discharge itself, as has been already threatened, Jer 23:19; this must take place in order that there may be a fulfilment of that hope to all the tribes of Israel (both kingdoms)." Jer 31:1. announces deliverance for all the families of Israel, but afterwards it is promised to both divisions of the people separately - first, in vv. 2-22, to the ten tribes, who have been exiles the longest; and then, in a more brief statement, Jer 31:23-26, to the kingdom of Judah: to this, again, there is appended, Jer 31:27-40, a further description of the nature of the deliverance in store for the two houses of Israel. Jer 31:1-2 The deliverance for all Israel, and the readmission of the ten tribes. - Jer 31:1. "At that time, saith Jahveh, will I be a God to all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people. Jer 31:2. Thus saith Jahveh: A people escaped from the sword found grace in the wilderness. Let me go to give him rest, even Israel. Jer 31:3. From afar hath Jahve appeared unto me, and with everlasting love have I loved thee; therefore have I continued my favour towards thee. Jer 31:4. Once more will I build thee up, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel; once more shalt thou adorn [thyself] with thy tabrets, and go forth in the dance of those that make merry. Jer 31:5. Once more shalt thou plant vineyards on the ills of Samaria; planters will plant them, and apply them to common use. Jer 31:6. For there is a day [when] watch…
Open source ↗God here assures his people, I. That he will again take them into a covenant relation to himself, from which they seemed to be cut off. At the same time, when God's anger breaks out against the wicked (Jer 30:24), his own people shall be owned by him as the children of his love: I will be the God (that is, I will show myself to be the God) of all the families of Israel (Jer 31:1), - not of the two tribes only, but of all the tribes, - not of the house of Aaron only, and the families of Levi, but of all their families; not only their state in general, but their particular families, and the interests of them, shall have the benefit of a special relation to God. Note, The families of good people, in their family capacity, may apply to God and stay themselves upon him as their God. If we and our houses serve the Lord, we and our houses shall be protected and blessed by him, Pro 3:33. II. That he will do for them, in bringing them out of Babylon, as he had done for their fathers when he delivered them out of Egypt, and as he had purposed to do when he first took them to be his people. 1. He puts them in mind of what he did for their fathers when he brought them out of Egypt, Jer 31:2. They were then, as these were, a people left of the sword, that sword of Pharaoh with which he cut off all the male children as soon as they were born (a bloody sword indeed they had narrowly escaped) and that sword with which he threatened to cut them off when he pursued them to the Red Sea. They were then in the wilderness, where they seemed to be lost and forgotten, as these were now in a strange land, and yet they found grace in God's sight, were owned and highly honoured by him, and blessed with wonderful instances of his peculiar favour, and he was at this time going to cause them to rest…
Open source ↗31:1 In that day: This phrase refers to the return from exile that began in 538 BC. • all the families of Israel: The coming restoration included all twelve tribes of Israel.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpâchâh, H4940) — a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… שָׂרִיד (sârîyd, H8300) — a survivor חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or… מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… חֵן (chên, H2580) — graciousness, i.e. subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty) מִדְבָּר (midbâr, H4057) — a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) רָגַע (râgaʻ, H7280) — properly, to toss violently and suddenly (the sea with waves, the skin with boils);…
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… רָחוֹק (râchôwq, H7350) — remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used… אָהַב (ʼâhab, H157) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise) עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or… אַהֲבָה (ʼahăbâh, H160) — {affection (in a good or a bad sense)} חֵסֵד (chêçêd, H2617) — kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or… מָשַׁךְ (mâshak, H4900) — to draw, used in a great variety of applications (including to sow, to sound, to prolong,…
Open source ↗בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) בְּתוּלָה (bᵉthûwlâh, H1330) — a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity עָדָה (ʻâdâh, H5710) — to advance, i.e. pass on or continue; causatively, to remove; specifically, to bedeck… תֹּף (tôph, H8596) — a tambourine יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… מָחוֹל (mâchôwl, H4234) — a (round) dance שָׂחַק (sâchaq, H7832) — to laugh (in pleasure or detraction); by implication, to play
Open source ↗נָטַע (nâṭaʻ, H5193) — properly, to strike in, i.e. fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively) כֶּרֶם (kerem, H3754) — a garden or vineyard הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) שֹׁמְרוֹן (Shômᵉrôwn, H8111) — Shomeron, a place in Palestine חָלַל (châlal, H2490) — properly, to bore, i.e. (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane…
Open source ↗יֵשׁ (yêsh, H3426) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection) יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… נָצַר (nâtsar, H5341) — to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal,… הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) אֶפְרַיִם (ʼEphrayim, H669) — Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… צִיּוֹן (Tsîyôwn, H6726) — Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God רָנַן (rânan, H7442) — properly, to creak (or emit a stridulous sound), i.e. to shout (usually for joy) שִׂמְחָה (simchâh, H8057) — blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival) יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch צָהַל (tsâhal, H6670) — to gleam, i.e. (figuratively) be cheerful; by transference to sound clear (of various… רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… הָלַל (hâlal, H1984) — to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make ashow, to… יָשַׁע (yâshaʻ, H3467) — properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… שְׁאֵרִית (shᵉʼêrîyth, H7611) — a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) צָפוֹן (tsâphôwn, H6828) — properly, hidden, i.e. dark; used only of the north as aquarter (gloomy and unknown) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) קָבַץ (qâbats, H6908) — to grasp, i.e. collect יְרֵכָה (yᵉrêkâh, H3411) — properly, the flank; but used only figuratively, the rear or recess עִוֵּר (ʻivvêr, H5787) — blind (literally or figuratively) פִּסֵּחַ (piççêach, H6455) — lame הָרֶה (hâreh, H2030) — pregnant יָלַד (yâlad, H3205) — to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show… יַחַד (yachad, H3162) — properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent קָהָל (qâhâl, H6951) — assemblage (usually concretely) שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not…
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בְּכִי (Bᵉkîy, H1065) — a weeping; by analogy, a dripping תַּחֲנוּן (tachănûwn, H8469) — earnest prayer יָבַל (yâbal, H2986) — properly, to flow; causatively, to bring (especially with pomp) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) נַחַל (nachal, H5158) — a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a… מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen יָשָׁר (yâshâr, H3477) — straight (literally or figuratively) דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb כָּשַׁל (kâshal, H3782) — to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication,… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity אֶפְרַיִם (ʼEphrayim, H669) — Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory בְּכוֹר (bᵉkôwr, H1060) — firstborn; hence, chief
Open source ↗שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… אִי (ʼîy, H339) — properly, a habitable spot (as desirable); dry land, a coast, an island מֶרְחָק (merchâq, H4801) — remoteness, i.e. (concretely) a distant place; often (adverbially) from afar אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) זָרָה (zârâh, H2219) — to toss about; by implication, to diffuse, winnow יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity קָבַץ (qâbats, H6908) — to grasp, i.e. collect שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… רָעָה (râʻâh, H7462) — to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively);… עֵדֶר (ʻêder, H5739) — an arrangement, i.e. muster (of animals)
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God פָּדָה (pâdâh, H6299) — to sever, i.e. ransom; gener. to release, preserve יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch גָּאַל (gâʼal, H1350) — to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his widow,… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), חָזָק (châzâq, H2389) — strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent)
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) רָנַן (rânan, H7442) — properly, to creak (or emit a stridulous sound), i.e. to shout (usually for joy) מָרוֹם (mârôwm, H4791) — altitude, i.e. concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively… צִיּוֹן (Tsîyôwn, H6726) — Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem נָהַר (nâhar, H5102) — to sparkle, i.e. (figuratively) be cheerful; hence (from the sheen of a running stream)… טוּב (ṭûwb, H2898) — good (as a noun), in the widest sense, especially goodness (superlative concretely, the… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָּגָן (dâgân, H1715) — properly, increase, i.e. grain תִּירוֹשׁ (tîyrôwsh, H8492) — must or fresh grape-juice (as just squeezed out); by implication (rarely) fermented wine יִצְהָר (yitshâr, H3323) — oil (as producing light); figuratively, anointing בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) בָּקָר (bâqâr, H1241) — beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing);… נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in…
Open source ↗בְּתוּלָה (bᵉthûwlâh, H1330) — a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a… שָׂמַח (sâmach, H8055) — probably to brighten up, i.e. (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome מָחוֹל (mâchôwl, H4234) — a (round) dance בָּחוּר (bâchûwr, H970) — properly, selected, i.e. a youth (often collective) זָקֵן (zâqên, H2205) — old יַחַד (yachad, H3162) — properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly הָפַךְ (hâphak, H2015) — to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert אֵבֶל (ʼêbel, H60) — lamentation שָׂשׂוֹן (sâsôwn, H8342) — cheerfulness; specifically, welcome נָחַם (nâcham, H5162) — properly, to sigh, i.e. breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e. (in a… יָגוֹן (yâgôwn, H3015) — affliction
Open source ↗רָוָה (râvâh, H7301) — to slake the thirst (occasionally of other appetites) נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… דֶּשֶׁן (deshen, H1880) — the fat; abstractly fatness, i.e. (figuratively) abundance; specifically the (fatty)… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… שָׂבַע (sâbaʻ, H7646) — to sate, i.e. fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively) טוּב (ṭûwb, H2898) — good (as a noun), in the widest sense, especially goodness (superlative concretely, the… נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
“And you will be My people, and I will be your God.”
This third I will bring through the fire;I will refine them like silverand test them like gold.They will call on My name,and I will answer them.I will say, ‘They are My people,’and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’”
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness.
The fierce anger of the LORD will not turn back until He has fully accomplished the purposes of His heart. In the days to come you will understand this.
In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel, and they will come together from the land of the north to the land that I gave to your fathers as an inheritance.
“Do not cling to Me,” Jesus said, “for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and tell My brothers, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.’”
‘You are My flock, the sheep of My pasture, My people, and I am your God,’ declares the Lord GOD.”
As for you, O Jacob My servant, do not be afraid, declares the LORD, and do not be dismayed, O Israel. For I will surely save you out of a distant place, your descendants from the land of their captivity! Jacob will return to quiet and ease, with no one to make him afraid.
I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be My people.
See to it that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his birthright.