Jeremiah 31 3

Jeremiah 31:3 kjv

The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

Jeremiah 31:3 nkjv

The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

Jeremiah 31:3 niv

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.

Jeremiah 31:3 esv

the LORD appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.

Jeremiah 31:3 nlt

Long ago the LORD said to Israel:
"I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love.
With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.

Jeremiah 31 verses

Jeremiah 31 3 Meaning

The LORD has appeared from of old to me. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.

Jeremiah 31 3 Context

Jeremiah 31 occurs after chapters detailing judgment and exile for Judah's sins. This chapter marks a significant shift towards future hope and restoration. It describes God's renewed covenant with His people, signifying a time when sins will be forgiven, and His law will be internalized. The verse appears amidst pronouncements of future blessing for Israel, contrasting with the preceding judgments. The immediate context focuses on the return from Babylonian exile and the re-establishment of a covenant relationship.

Jeremiah 31 3 Word Analysis

• LORD (Yahweh): The personal, covenantal name of God, emphasizing His enduring relationship with His people.
• appeared: From ra'ah (רָאָה), meaning to see, behold, appear, reveal. Indicates a divine manifestation.
• from of old: Signifies an ancient and perpetual connection, not a new or fleeting one.
• to me: Personalizes the revelation and relationship. The speaker is identifying with the community being addressed.
• I have loved: From ahav (אָהַב), a deep, strong, and volitional love.
• with an everlasting love: ahavah olam (אַהֲבַה עוֹלָם). "Olam" (עוֹלָם) refers to eternity, perpetual existence, future continuity. This is a love that transcends time.
• therefore: Indicates consequence, the love is the reason for the faithfulness.
• I have continued my faithfulness: From mashakh (מָשַׁךְ), meaning to draw, prolong, extend. It speaks of enduring and drawing out faithfulness or kindness.
• to you: Directly addresses Israel/Judah.

Words-Group By Words-Group Analysis:

• "LORD has appeared from of old to me": This phrase emphasizes God's historical presence and proactive initiative in His relationship with Israel, reaching back to its earliest days. It's a reassurance of His consistent involvement.
• "I have loved you with an everlasting love": This is the foundational declaration. The love is not conditional on Israel's behavior but is intrinsic to God's nature and eternal in its purpose and duration.
• "therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you": The faithfulness is a direct result of the everlasting love. God's steadfast commitment (hesed) is sustained because of the unchanging nature of His love.

Jeremiah 31 3 Bonus Section

The concept of "everlasting love" (ahavah olam) points to a love that predates time and extends into eternity. This divine love is the foundation for the new covenant described later in Jeremiah 31, where God promises to write His laws on their hearts, signifying an internalized relationship of love and obedience rather than an external one. The assurance of God's past appearance and continued faithfulness serves as a prelude to the ultimate manifestation of His love in the person of Jesus Christ, who embodies God's presence among His people ("Immanuel" - Matthew 1:23) and fulfills the promise of an everlasting covenant. The Hebrew word mashakh ("continued" or "drawn out") implies a persistent drawing, much like a fisherman reeling in a catch, reflecting God's patient pursuit of His people.

Jeremiah 31 3 Commentary

This verse encapsulates the essence of God's enduring covenant love for His people. It is a powerful statement of God's initiative, seen in His historical appearances and revelations. His love is not a temporary emotion but an eternal quality ("everlasting love"), the bedrock upon which His persistent faithfulness is built. Despite Israel's history of unfaithfulness, God pledges to continue drawing them to Himself with His steadfast love, assuring them of His commitment to restoration and ongoing relationship, culminating in the new covenant.

• Practical Application: Even when we feel distant from God or recall past failures, this verse reminds us that His love is not diminished and His faithfulness endures. It calls us to rest in His unchanging affection and to respond with our own faithfulness, drawing strength from His prior and perpetual drawing near to us.