Jeremiah 31 13

Jeremiah 31:13 kjv

Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.

Jeremiah 31:13 nkjv

"Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, And the young men and the old, together; For I will turn their mourning to joy, Will comfort them, And make them rejoice rather than sorrow.

Jeremiah 31:13 niv

Then young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.

Jeremiah 31:13 esv

Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.

Jeremiah 31:13 nlt

The young women will dance for joy,
and the men ? old and young ? will join in the celebration.
I will turn their mourning into joy.
I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing.

Jeremiah 31 verses

Jeremiah 31 13 meaning

Jeremiah 31:13 proclaims a future restoration and radical transformation for Israel, where profound sorrow will be supernaturally converted into overflowing, communal joy by God Himself. It describes a vibrant celebration involving all generations—the young women (virgins), young men, and old men—united in dancing and rejoicing. The verse highlights God's personal initiative to comfort His people and replace their past grief and mourning with lasting delight.

Jeremiah 31 13 Context

Jeremiah chapter 31 is a pivotal part of Jeremiah's "Book of Comfort" (chapters 30-33), which dramatically shifts from prophecies of judgment to profound declarations of hope and restoration for both the northern kingdom (Ephraim/Israel) and the southern kingdom (Judah). It immediately follows Rachel's lament (31:15), a vivid portrayal of a mother weeping inconsolably for her lost children in exile. This verse (31:13) acts as God's direct answer to that lament, promising an absolute reversal of fortune. Historically, it was spoken during a period of deep national crisis, before or during the Babylonian exile, when the people felt utterly forsaken and their nation's future seemed lost. This promise would have contrasted starkly with the despair and the powerlessness associated with worshipping foreign gods or assuming YHWH had abandoned them. Jeremiah declares YHWH's steadfast love, an everlasting love (31:3), which guarantees their ultimate restoration and spiritual renewal, famously culminating in the prophecy of the New Covenant (31:31-34). The emphasis here is on God's initiative to transform a shattered community into a vibrant, rejoicing one.

Jeremiah 31 13 Word analysis

• Then (אָז - 'az):
  • Significance: A temporal adverb, but here indicating a definite turning point or a new era. It marks a shift from past sorrow to a future, divinely initiated event. This is not just a gradual change, but a specific moment of God's intervention.
• the virgin (בְּתוּלָה - betulah):
  • Significance: Often refers to young unmarried women. Symbolizes innocence, a new beginning, freshness. In this context, it personifies the community of Israel, particularly its younger, hopeful generation, implying renewed vitality and purity. It contrasts with the defilement and spiritual harlotry Israel engaged in, suggesting a fresh, unblemished start.
• shall rejoice (תִּשְׂמַח - tishmaḥ):
  • Significance: A strong verb for gladness, jubilation. Implies internal delight that finds outward expression. It's a proactive, personal response to God's act.
• in the dance (בְמָחוֹל - bemaḥol):
  • Significance: "Maḥol" refers to a circular, communal dance, often accompanied by music (like timbrels) and singing. It is a profound, public expression of unbridled joy, typically associated with celebrations of great deliverance, victory, or festival (e.g., Ex 15:20; Jdg 11:34). Its inclusion signifies complete freedom and happiness.
• and the young men (וּבַחוּרִים - uּbaḥurim):
  • Significance: Represents the energetic, capable segment of the population. Their inclusion shows the complete restoration of the social fabric and highlights active participation in the joy.
• and the old men together (וּזְקֵנִים יַחְדָּו - uּzeqenim yaḥdav):
  • Significance: "Zekenim" are elders, who had witnessed great sorrow and possibly exile. Their presence signifies comprehensive restoration and inclusion of all generations. "Yaḥdav" (together) emphasizes unity, generational harmony, and a unified community expressing joy, erasing previous divisions or losses.
• For I will turn (וְהָפַכְתִּי - vehafakti):
  • Significance: The "I" is YHWH. "Hafakti" (from hapak) means to turn, to overturn, to transform. It indicates a decisive, divine act of complete reversal, a direct intervention by God as the sovereign agent of change.
• their mourning (אֶבְלָם - 'evlam):
  • Significance: "Evel" refers to deep sorrow, grief, often involving ritualized lamentation for the dead or national disaster (e.g., exile, desolation). This speaks to the profound despair Israel experienced.
• into joy (לְשָׂשׂוֹן - leśāśōn):
  • Significance: "Saśon" signifies intense gladness, jubilation, or delight. It is a robust and enduring happiness, replacing the previous grief.
• and comfort them (וְנִחַמְתִּים - veniḥamtîm):
  • Significance: "Niḥamtîm" (from naḥam) means to console, to soothe, to bring relief from distress or affliction. It speaks of God's compassionate care and His active presence in alleviating their suffering.
• and make them rejoice (וְשִׂמַּחְתִּים - veśimmaḥtîm):
  • Significance: "Śimmaḥtîm" is a causative form, meaning "I will cause them to rejoice." This is distinct from tishmaḥ ("shall rejoice") above, emphasizing God's direct agency in bringing about and sustaining their happiness, not just a response from them. It shows a continuous divine bestowal of joy.
• after their sorrow (מִיגוֹנָם - miyegonam):
  • Significance: "Yagon" means distress, grief, deep trouble or heartache. The preposition "mi-" implies "from" or "out of," emphasizing the definitive departure from this previous state of affliction. This contrasts with Rachel's bitter weeping, demonstrating God's complete and permanent comfort.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Then the virgin shall rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old men together": This phrase paints a picture of complete societal renewal and communal, inclusive celebration. The 'virgin' signifies a fresh start, while the young and old "together" indicate restored unity across generations. This harmony implies an end to the divisions and sorrows that afflicted the exilic community, a generational healing.
• "For I will turn their mourning into joy, and comfort them and make them rejoice after their sorrow": This declaration underscores the divine initiative. God personally intervenes to reverse their dire situation. The use of multiple synonyms for joy and comfort ("joy," "rejoice," "comfort") and their respective antonyms ("mourning," "sorrow") powerfully emphasizes the totality and thoroughness of God's redemptive transformation. It's a comprehensive exchange of lament for exhilaration, brought about solely by His power and grace.

Jeremiah 31 13 Bonus section

The communal dance (בְמָחוֹל - bemaḥol) envisioned in this verse is a potent symbol. It’s not just individual happiness, but an organized, rhythmic expression of shared emotion, reflecting deep unity and restoration within the community. In the ancient Near East, communal dancing, especially by women, often marked moments of triumph, thanksgiving, or the joyful welcome of heroes. Here, it is the response to YHWH, the ultimate deliverer, welcoming His restorative presence. The complete inclusivity, spanning virgins, young men, and old men, illustrates that no segment of society is left untouched or outside the circle of God's transforming grace. The sorrow described in the "mourning" and "sorrow" ('evel and yagon) often involved public displays of grief, ash-covering, tearing of clothes, and dirges; thus, the prescribed divine counter-response is equally public and visible through communal dance and rejoicing. This powerful prophetic imagery offers comfort by picturing not merely a cessation of pain, but an active, joyous new beginning fully brought about by God.

Jeremiah 31 13 Commentary

Jeremiah 31:13 stands as a beacon of hope in a prophetic book steeped in judgment, promising a glorious future wrought by God's unwavering love and intervention. It foretells a profound reversal where Israel's deep national and personal sorrow, epitomized by the lament of Rachel, will be miraculously transformed into ecstatic joy and vibrant celebration. The verse stresses God's direct agency: "I will turn," "I will comfort," and "I will make them rejoice." This is not merely an emotional shift, but a supernatural act that regenerates the entire community.

The imagery is particularly rich: "the virgin" represents Israel's renewed purity and a fresh start, no longer defined by its past idolatry or exile. The "dance" signifies public, uninhibited joy, a communal act of thanksgiving for divine deliverance. The inclusion of "young men and old men together" speaks to a complete social restoration and generational healing, uniting all ages in collective celebration—a stark contrast to the despair that isolates. This passage points to an eschatological reality where all forms of grief, whether due to national catastrophe, personal loss, or spiritual barrenness, will be completely overcome by God's overflowing goodness. It anticipates the greater redemption offered in Christ, where believers find ultimate comfort and everlasting joy in their communion with God, turning the mourning of sin into the joy of salvation.