Jeremiah 31 20

Jeremiah 31:20 kjv

Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 31:20 nkjv

Is Ephraim My dear son? Is he a pleasant child? For though I spoke against him, I earnestly remember him still; Therefore My heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him, says the LORD.

Jeremiah 31:20 niv

Is not Ephraim my dear son, the child in whom I delight? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him," declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 31:20 esv

Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he my darling child? For as often as I speak against him, I do remember him still. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him, declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 31:20 nlt

"Is not Israel still my son,
my darling child?" says the LORD.
"I often have to punish him,
but I still love him.
That's why I long for him
and surely will have mercy on him.

Jeremiah 31 verses

Jeremiah 31 20 Meaning

This verse expresses God's deep compassion and yearning for His people, Israel. It marks a turning point from judgment to restoration, emphasizing God's fatherly affection and His longing to bring them back from exile and to heal their brokenness.

Jeremiah 31 20 Context

Jeremiah 31 occurs within the broader context of Jeremiah's ministry, a time of intense national crisis for Judah, marked by impending Babylonian exile. The prophet was tasked with delivering messages of both judgment for the people's persistent sin and disobedience, and of hope for future restoration. Chapter 31, specifically, is often referred to as the "Book of Comfort" because it contains prophecies of a renewed covenant, forgiveness, and a return to the land. This verse falls within this section, transitioning from a lament over the people's past to a declaration of God's enduring love and His plan for their healing and reintegration. It specifically addresses the people of Ephraim (representing the northern kingdom, but by extension all of Israel), signifying God's overarching affection that transcends past failures.

Jeremiah 31 20 Word analysis

• "Therefore" (על כן - 'al ken): Indicates a logical consequence or a basis for the statement that follows. It links the upcoming expression of emotion to previous contexts, likely God's acknowledgment of Ephraim's suffering or remembrance of their youth.
• "my" (אֹותִי - otiy): The first-person singular possessive pronoun, directly attributing the subsequent action to God.
• "heart" (לֵב - lev): The center of emotions, will, and thought. In Hebrew thought, the "heart" is the core of a person's being, where feelings and intentions reside. This shows God's deep emotional engagement.
• "yearns for him" (רָחַם - racham): This is a verb conveying profound pity, compassion, mercy, and yearning. It is often used in contexts of familial love, particularly maternal compassion. It implies a deep-seated emotional ache or desire. The parallelism with "yearn for him" is significant; it suggests a visceral, almost maternal, yearning that drives God's actions. The pronoun "him" (אֹותו - otoh) refers to Ephraim.
• "indeed" (הֵן - hen): An emphatic particle, asserting the truthfulness and certainty of the statement that follows. It adds a layer of surety to God's expressed compassion.
• "I will surely" (שׁוֹר מִשּׁוֹר - shor mishor): While the common translation is "surely," the literal Hebrew here involves the repetition of the word "shore" (שׁוֹר), meaning "ox" or "bull." Some scholars suggest this unusual phrasing might imply "from strength to strength" or a powerful, determined declaration of God's resolve. It conveys an absolute certainty. However, standard interpretations often lean towards it functioning as an emphatic "surely."
• "remember him still" (עוֹד אֶזְכְּרֶנּוּ - 'od ezkerenhu): "Yet will I remember him" or "I will remember him again." It indicates that despite the period of absence or transgression, God's memory of Ephraim remains active and will lead to His present and future actions. "Still" implies persistence.
• "is the LORD my God" (נְאֻם יְהוָה אֱלֹהָי - ne'um Yehvah Elohai): "The oracle/declaration of the LORD my God." This formula confirms the divine origin and authority of the prophetic utterance. The personal connection "my God" underscores the intimate relationship.

Words group analysis:

• "my heart yearns for him": This phrase captures the essence of God's deep emotional investment in His people. It's not just a general emotion but a specific, potent yearning stemming from the core of His being, reminiscent of a parent for a beloved child.
• "indeed, I will surely remember him still": This combined phrase emphasizes God's unwavering memory and commitment. The "indeed" and the emphatic nature of "surely" (potentially with the 'shore' repetition) underscore that this is not a fleeting thought but a settled intention. "Still" shows that past separation hasn't diminished His remembrance or His fatherly heart.

Jeremiah 31 20 Bonus section

The term "racham" (רָחַם) for "yearn" is significant. It carries a powerful connotation of deep, visceral pity and mercy, often linked to the compassion of a mother for her child. This maternal imagery powerfully conveys the tenderness and deep emotional engagement God has with His people, transcending even their unfaithfulness. This same root is found in the Hebrew word for "womb" (rechem), reinforcing the idea of a deeply rooted, life-giving compassion. This understanding highlights that God's relationship with Israel is not merely one of a ruler and subjects but of an intensely loving parent who grieves over their suffering and longs for their well-being.

Jeremiah 31 20 Commentary

Jeremiah 31:20 presents a pivotal moment where God's heart is revealed in its profound paternal compassion for Ephraim (representing the nation of Israel). Despite the collective sin and the resulting judgments that had led to exile, God's core nature of love and mercy remains steadfast. This verse functions as a promise of future restoration, underpinned by God's unchanging affection. The emphasis is on God's emotional response – His deep yearning – which compels Him to remember His people and to act on their behalf. This declaration signifies that the covenant relationship, though strained by disobedience, is not broken beyond repair in God's heart. It foreshadows a new era where God's relationship with His people will be marked by forgiveness, healing, and renewed communion, a theme fulfilled in the new covenant through Jesus Christ, who himself exhibited such compassionate yearning.