Jeremiah 3:18 kjv
In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers.
Jeremiah 3:18 nkjv
"In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given as an inheritance to your fathers.
Jeremiah 3:18 niv
In those days the people of Judah will join the people of Israel, and together they will come from a northern land to the land I gave your ancestors as an inheritance.
Jeremiah 3:18 esv
In those days the house of Judah shall join the house of Israel, and together they shall come from the land of the north to the land that I gave your fathers for a heritage.
Jeremiah 3:18 nlt
In those days the people of Judah and Israel will return together from exile in the north. They will return to the land I gave your ancestors as an inheritance forever.
Jeremiah 3 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 3:14 | Return, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you... | Hope of Restoration (OT) |
| Jeremiah 3:22 | Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings... | Divine Healing and Forgiveness |
| Jeremiah 5:6 | They have denied the LORD, and said, It is not he... | Consequences of Disobedience |
| Jeremiah 16:14 | Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be said... | Future Deliverance and Joy |
| Jeremiah 23:3 | And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them... | Gathering of Scattered Sheep |
| Jeremiah 23:5 | Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch... | Davidic King and Kingdom |
| Jeremiah 24:7 | And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD... | Inner Transformation and Knowledge |
| Jeremiah 30:3 | For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah... | Restoration of Israel and Judah |
| Jeremiah 30:10 | Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel... | Assurance for Jacob and Israel |
| Jeremiah 31:1 | At the same time, saith the LORD, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people. | God's Covenant with all Israel |
| Jeremiah 32:37 | Behold, I will gather them for all their land, which I gave unto their fathers... | Regathering from Exile |
| Isaiah 11:12 | And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather the dispersed of Judah... | Enlistment of Nations, Gathering Israel |
| Isaiah 43:5 | Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; | God's Presence and Gathering |
| Isaiah 54:3 | For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make desolate cities to be inhabited. | Expansion and Prosperity |
| Isaiah 61:4 | And they from thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations... | Rebuilding and Legacy |
| Ezekiel 11:17 | Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even gather you from the people, and will assemble you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel. | Gathering and Land Promise |
| Ezekiel 34:13 | And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. | Pasture for the Flock |
| Ezekiel 36:24 | For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. | Purification and Return |
| Ezekiel 37:22 | And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all... | Unification of Two Nations |
| Micah 4:6 | As for the halting a remnant, and the castaway a strong nation, and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever. | Remnant and Reign of God |
| Zechariah 2:12 | And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion, and shall choose Jerusalem yet again. | Judah's Portion and Jerusalem's Choice |
| John 1:16 | And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. | Grace upon Grace |
| Romans 11:26 | And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: | Spiritual Salvation for Israel |
| Hebrews 12:22 | But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels... | Heavenly Jerusalem |
| Revelation 21:3 | And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. | God Dwells with His People |
Jeremiah 3 verses
Jeremiah 3 18 Meaning
This verse announces a future restoration of God's people, particularly Judah. It signifies their return from exile and their reunification with Israel. God's intention is to restore them to their land and establish them as a united people, ruling in truth and righteousness. This promise of ingathering and re-establishment is a core theme of hope in Jeremiah.
Jeremiah 3 18 Context
Jeremiah 3:14-18 occurs within the broader context of God's judgment on Judah for its unfaithfulness. Despite the impending doom announced earlier in the chapter, God offers a profound message of hope and future restoration. The prophet has just condemned Judah's harlotry with other nations and its refusal to return to the Lord. In stark contrast, verse 14 shifts the focus to God's persistent love and his desire to gather his backsliding people. This section acts as a powerful prelude to the detailed prophecies of exile and eventual return found in later chapters. Historically, this message was delivered during a tumultuous period for Judah, preceding or during the Babylonian exile, a time when national identity and hope were severely tested.
Jeremiah 3 18 Word Analysis
"Turn" (Hebrew: shuv): This root word, meaning "to turn, return, repent," is central to Jeremiah's message. It implies a conscious turning back to God from a state of spiritual departure. Its repetition emphasizes the call to repentance.
"Backsliding" (Hebrew: meshuvah): This noun, derived from shuv, signifies apostasy or a turning away from God. It highlights the deep-seated nature of Judah's sin—not just a single act but a settled state of rebellion.
"Children" (Hebrew: banim): This term denotes not just offspring but also implies a familial relationship and responsibility within the covenant. God addresses them tenderly as His children, underscoring His parental love despite their disobedience.
"I will" (Hebrew: ani): The repetition of "I will" emphasizes God's active role in the process of restoration. It is God's sovereign initiative, not human effort, that will bring about this future reconciliation.
"Heal" (Hebrew: rapha'): This verb means to heal, mend, or restore. It points to the spiritual and physical mending that will occur when they return to God, addressing the deep wounds inflicted by sin and exile.
"Lame" (Hebrew: tsalah): Here used figuratively, it implies spiritual weakness or disability caused by sin. The restoration will involve strengthening and empowering them.
"One" (Hebrew: echad): This word underscores the future unity of God's people.
"Land" (Hebrew: erets): This refers to the promised land of Israel, the physical inheritance God gave to His people, signifying blessing and belonging.
"Which I gave" (Hebrew: natati): This phrase emphasizes that the land is a gift from God, a reminder of His covenant faithfulness despite their faithlessness.
"Shepherd" (Hebrew: ro'eh): This title signifies God's role as protector, guide, and provider for His people.
"After me" (Hebrew: achariy): This signifies following God's guidance and leadership.
"Wise" (Hebrew: chacham): This implies understanding God's ways and acting with discernment, which will be a hallmark of the restored community.
Groups of words:
- "I am married unto you" (Hebrew: ba'alti lachem) represents God's covenant commitment, similar to marriage vows, highlighting the depth of His faithfulness and the severity of their breach.
- "I will come unto you" (Hebrew: aba' ethchem) signifies a personal and intimate return of God to His people, both physically in their land and spiritually in their hearts.
- "Take you one of a city, and two of a family" describes a selective ingathering, emphasizing that even from remnants, God will rebuild His people.
- "Bring you into Zion" signifies bringing them back to the spiritual and national center of their covenant relationship with God.
Jeremiah 3 18 Bonus Section
The imagery of God being "married unto" Israel (v. 14) emphasizes the exclusivity and covenantal nature of God's relationship with His people, mirroring the bond between husband and wife. The promise of restoring them to their land (v. 14) is a tangible manifestation of God's faithfulness to the Abrahamic covenant. The instruction to bring "one of a city, and two of a family" speaks to a remnant theology, where God's saving work often begins with a chosen few from which a renewed people emerge. This verse also foreshadows the gathering of believers from all nations under the New Covenant in Christ, as mentioned in the New Testament.
Jeremiah 3 18 Commentary
Jeremiah 3:14-18 presents a profound declaration of God's unwavering commitment and redemptive plan for His people. Despite Judah's persistent apostasy, God's covenant love compels Him to offer a way back. The verse highlights the gracious initiative of God in calling His "backsliding children" to return. This return is not merely a geographical relocation but a deep spiritual reorientation, met by God's divine "healing." The promise of future unity—bringing "one of a city, and two of a family" to Zion—signifies the re-establishment of a unified people, deeply connected to God in their rightful inheritance. This future reunification under wise leadership reflects God's ultimate plan to dwell with His people, a theme that finds its ultimate fulfillment in the Messiah and the New Covenant. It underscores that God's grace transcends human failing, offering a hope of restoration and a future where His people wholeheartedly follow Him.