Jeremiah 31 37

Jeremiah 31:37 kjv

Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 31:37 nkjv

Thus says the LORD: "If heaven above can be measured, And the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel For all that they have done, says the LORD.

Jeremiah 31:37 niv

This is what the LORD says: "Only if the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth below be searched out will I reject all the descendants of Israel because of all they have done," declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 31:37 esv

Thus says the LORD: "If the heavens above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth below can be explored, then I will cast off all the offspring of Israel for all that they have done, declares the LORD."

Jeremiah 31:37 nlt

This is what the LORD says:
"Just as the heavens cannot be measured
and the foundations of the earth cannot be explored,
so I will not consider casting them away
for the evil they have done.
I, the LORD, have spoken!

Jeremiah 31 verses

Jeremiah 31 37 Meaning

The Lord declares that just as it is impossible to reject the ordered movement of celestial bodies and the fixed laws of nature, it is equally impossible for Him to cast away the descendants of Jacob. This statement emphasizes God's unbreakable covenant and His faithfulness to His people, Israel, signifying their enduring existence and His unfailing commitment to them, despite their unfaithfulness.

Jeremiah 31 37 Context

Jeremiah 31 is part of Jeremiah's broader prophetic ministry, a period characterized by impending judgment on Judah due to their persistent sin and idolatry. This chapter, however, shifts to the theme of future restoration and the establishment of a new covenant. The preceding verses (31:31-34) vividly describe this new covenant, inscribed on the people's hearts, bringing forgiveness and direct knowledge of God. Verse 37, therefore, serves as a strong affirmation and seal to this promise of restoration and the permanence of God's covenant relationship with His people, despite all outward circumstances and their own failings. Historically, this was spoken during a time when the nation was facing exile or had already experienced it, making the promise of unbroken divine commitment profoundly significant.

Jeremiah 31 37 Word Analysis

• “Thus”: Indicates the introduction of a divine declaration or conclusion, often stemming from the preceding context.
• “says”: Introduces God’s direct speech.
• “the LORD”: (YHWH) The covenantal name of God, emphasizing His personal relationship and commitment.
• “of hosts”: (Tsebha’oth) Refers to the God of armies, highlighting His power and sovereignty over all forces, both heavenly and earthly, underscoring the immensity of His power to uphold His promises.
• “If”: Introduces a hypothetical, almost impossible condition.
• “you can”: Addresses the possibility or capability of performing an action.
• “and measure”: Suggests the ability to quantify or define the extent of something.
• “the”: Definite article, specifying.
• “heavens”: Refers to the sky, the celestial expanse.
• “above”: Indicates location in the sky.
• “or”: Connects alternative possibilities.
• “search”: To look into thoroughly; to explore.
• “out”: Indicates the completion of the action of searching.
• “the”: Definite article.
• “foundations”: (Yᵉqara' or 'areshath - foundational concepts; typically structures like foundations or setting in order). The bedrock or underlying structure. In this context, it speaks to the fundamental order and immutability of creation.
• “of”: Preposition showing possession or origin.
• “the”: Definite article.
• “earth”: (Erets) The physical planet and its surface.
• “beneath”: Indicates a location below.
• “then”: Marks the consequence or subsequent action.
• “also”: In addition, likewise.
• “I”: Pronoun referring to God.
• “will”: Future indicative, expressing certainty.
• “cast off”: (Ma'as) To reject, despise, forsake, or discard.
• “all”: The whole quantity or extent.
• “the”: Definite article.
• “offspring”: (Zera’) Seed, descendants, progeny.
• “of”: Preposition.
• “Jacob”: Refers to the people of Israel, named after their patriarch Jacob.
• “for”: Because, on account of.
• “their”: Possessive pronoun.
• “works”: (Ma'aseh) Deeds, actions, accomplishments. This subtly links God’s faithfulness not to human merit but to His own unfailing character, even while acknowledging Israel’s actions might warrant abandonment.
• “nor”: Conjunction used to introduce another negative clause.
• “for”: Because.
• “their”: Possessive pronoun.
• “iniquities”: (‘Avon) Guilt, sin, wrongdoing.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "measure the heavens above...search out the foundations of the earth beneath": This is a hyperbolic and poetic statement highlighting the immeasurable and incomprehensible nature of the created order. It represents ultimate impossibility; things God has inherently ordered and made so vast and complex that even He sets boundaries beyond human grasp, making such tasks impossible for any finite being. God Himself, in His sovereignty, establishes these uncrossable limits of creation’s observable aspects.
• "Then I will cast off all the offspring of Jacob": This is the crucial corollary. The impossibility of the first part directly underpins the impossibility of the second. Because measuring the heavens and searching the earth’s foundations is impossible for any but God to even conceive of fully, it is equally impossible for God to reject the lineage of Jacob.
• "for their works, nor for their iniquities": This clarifies that God's retention of His people is not based on their perfect adherence to the law or absence of sin, which are present. Instead, it stems from His eternal, sovereign will and covenant, not human merit.

Jeremiah 31 37 Bonus Section

The concept of God’s immutability, his unchanging nature, is a foundational doctrine in Judaism and Christianity. This verse is a powerful expression of that truth in relation to God’s people. It stands in stark contrast to the fluctuating loyalties and unreliable nature often found in human relationships and covenants. Scholars note that the imagery of celestial order and earthy foundations represents the created order as testimony to God’s power and constancy. This assurance was particularly vital for Jeremiah's audience facing national catastrophe, assuring them that divine judgment, while real, did not signify the nullification of God's enduring love and covenantal promises, which find their ultimate fulfillment in Christ (as seen in the New Testament’s emphasis on an everlasting covenant). The impossibility here isn’t a limitation on God’s power, but a demonstration of His perfect faithfulness.

Jeremiah 31 37 Commentary

This verse is a profound declaration of God’s immutable faithfulness. He likens the permanence of His commitment to the people of Israel (the "offspring of Jacob") to the unchanging order and immensity of the cosmos. Just as it is fundamentally impossible for anyone to precisely measure the vastness of the heavens or fully plumb the depths and foundational structures of the earth, it is equally impossible for God to abandon or reject His people. This assurance is not dependent on Israel’s performance or lack of sin ("for their works, nor for their iniquities"), but on God's unchanging character and His established covenant. This promise anticipates the ultimate restoration of Israel and the unwavering nature of God's grace.