Jeremiah 31 36

Jeremiah 31:36 kjv

If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.

Jeremiah 31:36 nkjv

"If those ordinances depart From before Me, says the LORD, Then the seed of Israel shall also cease From being a nation before Me forever."

Jeremiah 31:36 niv

"Only if these decrees vanish from my sight," declares the LORD, "will Israel ever cease being a nation before me."

Jeremiah 31:36 esv

"If this fixed order departs from before me, declares the LORD, then shall the offspring of Israel cease from being a nation before me forever."

Jeremiah 31:36 nlt

"I am as likely to reject my people Israel
as I am to abolish the laws of nature!"

Jeremiah 31 verses

Jeremiah 31 36 Meaning

This verse speaks of the unwavering faithfulness of God. It assures that His covenant and promises to Israel, even through judgment and exile, will endure eternally. The ordinances or statutes He has established will never cease, meaning they are permanent and will always be a part of His divine order. This points to the enduring nature of God's law and His unfailing commitment to His people.

Jeremiah 31 36 Context

Jeremiah 31 is a chapter filled with messages of hope and restoration following prophecies of judgment. After the dire pronouncements on Israel and Judah for their unfaithfulness, this chapter announces a new covenant. This new covenant, foretold in Jeremiah 31:31-34, is an internal transformation where God's law will be written on their hearts. Verse 36 follows this promise, highlighting the security and perpetuity of God's faithfulness to His people and His divine order. The surrounding context contrasts the temporal nature of creation with the eternal stability of God's promises, reassuring Israel that despite their transgressions, God's covenant love and His established ways will not cease.

Jeremiah 31 36 Word Analysis

• “Thus” (כֹּה - koh): An adverb indicating manner or degree, setting forth a statement authoritatively.
• “says” (אָמַר - amar): A common verb meaning to speak, say, or declare. It signifies God's direct communication.
• “the LORD” (יְהוָה - Yehovah): The personal covenantal name of God, emphasizing His faithfulness and ongoing relationship with His people.
• “who gives” (נֹתֵן - noten): The active participle of natan (to give), implying a continuous action. God is the perpetual source of light and order.
• “sun” (שֶׁמֶשׁ - shemesh): Refers to the celestial body that provides light and warmth during the day.
• “for a light” (לְאוֹר - le’or): A prepositional phrase indicating purpose, the sun is given for the purpose of being a light.
• “by day” (לְאוֹר יוֹם - le’or yom): "for a light of day," specifying the time of its function.
• “and” (וְ - vĕ): A conjunctive particle.
• “the [night] ordinances” (חוּקֵּי - chuqqei): This is the crucial word. Chuqqah (חֻקָּה) means statute, ordinance, law, custom, or portion. Here, it refers to God's appointed statutes and appointed times, including celestial cycles and laws that govern creation. It's used in a broader sense, encompassing all of God's decrees and their ordered procession. The parallel phrase uses " ordinances for night and day." The plural suggests a series or system of regulations or appointed times. The verse links these ordinances to His creation.
• “if” (אִם - im): A conditional particle.
• “those ordinances” (חוּקִּים הָאֵלֶּה - chuqqim ha’elleh): Specifically pointing to the aforementioned ordinances or statutes.
• “depart” (יָזוּרוּ - yazuru): From zur (זוּר), meaning to turn aside, depart, or withdraw. It speaks of moving away from or ceasing to be.
• “from before me” (מִלְּפָנָי - milĕphanai): Literally "from my face" or "from my presence." It means to cease to exist in relation to God's oversight or power.
• “declares” (נְאֻם - ne’um): A common prophetic formula, meaning "an utterance" or "oracle," indicating divine authority.
• “the LORD” (יְהוָה - Yehovah): Again, emphasizing God's personal name and covenantal faithfulness.
• “then” (גַּם - gam): Also, even.
• “Israel” (יִשְׂרָאֵל - Yisrael): Referring to the people of Israel.
• “also” (גַּם - gam): The same particle as "then," reinforcing the parallelism and the consequence.
• “shall cease” (יִפְסַק - yipsak): From pasaq (פָּסַק), meaning to cease, stop, or be cut off. It indicates a termination or cessation.
• “to be a nation” (לְגוֹי - legoy): To be a people or nation. This clause signifies the complete extinction of the national existence of Israel.

Jeremiah 31 36 Bonus Section

The concept of God's ordinances (חֻקִּים - chuqqim) is not limited to natural laws but encompasses His statutes, commandments, and appointments, including those related to worship and covenant observance. The comparison to the celestial bodies and their regular cycles speaks to the reliability and predictability of God's faithfulness, even when His people falter. The conditional structure "If... then..." serves to amplify the certainty of God's promises rather than express doubt. It's like saying, "if the fundamental order of the universe ceases, then my promises will fail," emphasizing that neither will fail. The inclusion of both Old and New Testament cross-references illustrates how this concept of enduring divine faithfulness finds its ultimate fulfillment in the new covenant in Jesus Christ, securing a permanent relationship and eternal salvation.

Jeremiah 31 36 Commentary

This verse powerfully underscores God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His covenant faithfulness. The existence of the sun for light by day and the ordinances governing day and night are presented as constants. God argues, conditionally, that only if these divinely established natural laws cease to function, would Israel "cease from being a nation." This is a rhetorical argument highlighting the immutability of His promises. The continuity of the celestial order is a sign of God's unchanging nature and His enduring covenant with Israel. His ordinances are not merely physical laws but reflect His immutable character and His decree for His people. This verse points beyond the earthly restoration of Israel to the ultimate eternal covenant secured through Christ, where God's spiritual laws and His presence are permanently with His people.