Jeremiah 31:4 kjv
Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry.
Jeremiah 31:4 nkjv
Again I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel! You shall again be adorned with your tambourines, And shall go forth in the dances of those who rejoice.
Jeremiah 31:4 niv
I will build you up again, and you, Virgin Israel, will be rebuilt. Again you will take up your timbrels and go out to dance with the joyful.
Jeremiah 31:4 esv
Again I will build you, and you shall be built, O virgin Israel! Again you shall adorn yourself with tambourines and shall go forth in the dance of the merrymakers.
Jeremiah 31:4 nlt
I will rebuild you, my virgin Israel.
You will again be happy
and dance merrily with your tambourines.
Jeremiah 31 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 31:4 | "Again you will be built, Virgin Israel. You will again take up your tambourines and go out to the dances of the joyful." | Fulfillment of restoration promise |
| Isaiah 49:20 | "The children born during your bereavement will yet say again in your ears, 'This place is too small for us; give us more room to live.'" | Echoes rebuilding and expansion |
| Psalm 149:3 | "Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with tambourine and harp." | Connects praise with dancing |
| Lamentations 5:15 | "The elders no longer sit in the city gate; the young men no longer play their music." | Contrasts former joy with current sorrow |
| Hosea 2:11 | "I will put an end to all her celebrations: her festivals, her New Moons, her Sabbaths and all her appointed feasts." | God withdrawing joy due to sin |
| Jeremiah 30:19 | "From them will come songs of thanksgiving and the sound of rejoicing. I will add to their numbers, and they will not be decreased; I will bring them honor, and they will not be disdained." | Promises increase and honor |
| Psalm 30:11 | "You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness," | Direct parallel to transformation |
| Zephaniah 3:14 | "Sing, Daughter Zion; shout, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem!" | Exhortation to rejoice |
| Jeremiah 16:9 | "For I will put an end to the sound of joy and gladness and to the voices of bride and bridegroom in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem. For this land will become a desolate waste." | Judgment involves silence of joy |
| Ezekiel 36:11 | "I will fill you with people, all the house of Israel, every one of them. The cities will be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt." | Prophecy of repopulation and rebuilding |
| Jeremiah 12:15 | "And it shall come to pass, after I have plucked them out, I will return and have compassion on them, and I will bring each man back to his inheritance and each man to his land." | God's compassion after judgment |
| Acts 13:32 | "And we bring you the good news that the promise that was made to the fathers, God has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus." | Fulfillment through Jesus |
| Hebrews 11:34 | "...came out of fire, and escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed mighty in war, put to flight the armies of aliens." | God's faithfulness to His people |
| Revelation 19:7 | "Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready." | Eschatological joy in marriage metaphor |
| Isaiah 61:3 | "...to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the cloak of praise instead of a faint spirit, that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified." | God provides oil of gladness |
| Jeremiah 29:11 | "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." | God's good plans for Israel |
| Psalm 126:5 | "May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy." | Theme of rejoicing after sorrow |
| 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 | "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may also comfort those who are in affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." | God's comfort in affliction |
| John 16:20 | "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy." | Jesus' promise of sorrow to joy |
| Revelation 5:12 | "saying with a loud voice, ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!’" | Celebration of the Lamb's victory |
Jeremiah 31 verses
Jeremiah 31 4 Meaning
The verse speaks of restoration and joy following a period of desolation and judgment. It declares that the virgin Israel will rejoice again, not in mourning, but in feasting and dancing. God's turning of captivity signifies a release from exile and suffering, leading to renewed prosperity and gladness.
Jeremiah 31 4 Context
Jeremiah 31 is part of Jeremiah's broader prophetic ministry during the Babylonian exile. This chapter contains significant promises of future restoration and covenant renewal for Israel, following the judgment of destruction and exile described in the preceding chapters. This specific verse offers a glimpse of the joy and prosperity that will characterize the renewed nation. It directly follows prophecies of judgment on nations and preceding verses that speak of God’s enduring love and faithfulness to His people, despite their sins and the subsequent consequences. This message of hope would have been a vital lifeline to the exiles, assuring them that God’s punitive actions were not the final word.
Jeremiah 31 4 Word Analysis
- עוד (
od) - Again, still, yet. Emphasizes the repeated action or the return to a previous state, highlighting the reversal of fortune. - תִּבָּנֶה (
tibbanēh) - You shall be built. The Niphal passive form of בָּנָה (banah- to build). This passive voice signifies that the building will be an act of God, not solely the effort of Israel. It implies a divine reconstruction. - בְּתוּלַת (
bĕtûlat) - Virgin. Hebrew: בתולה (bĕtûlah). This term personifies Israel as a young, pure maiden, symbolizing her renewed status and unspoiled state after purification. It suggests a new beginning, untainted by the former corruptions. - יִשְׂרָאֵל (
yiśrā’ēl) - Israel. Refers to the collective people of God, both the northern and southern kingdoms. - בָּהּ (
bāh) - In her. Refers back to Virgin Israel. - תִּקְחִי (
tiqḥî) - You shall take. The Qal imperfect of לָקַח (laqach- to take, grasp). An active participation in the restoration. - תֻּפֵּךְ (
tupēk) - Your tambourine. Hebrew: תֹּף (top). A small hand-drum, often used in joyful processions and worship, especially by women. - וְצָאת (
wĕṣāṯ) - And you shall go out. The conjunction 'and' (waw) connects this action with taking the tambourine. The verb is the Qal imperfect of יָצָא (yaṣa’- to go out, come out). Signifies movement into public celebration. - בִּמְחֹלַל (
bimḥolal) - In the dance. The preposition 'in' (bĕ) combined with the Qal infinitive construct of הָלַל (halal- to praise, to shine, to spin around in joy/worship, leading to dancing). Connects the tambourine with joyous praise. The root "halal" itself relates to "shining" and "boasting," indicating enthusiastic expression. - חָגִים (
ḥāgîm) - Festivals. Hebrew: חַג (ḥag) - a festival, often associated with pilgrimage. Represents times of corporate joy and religious observance.
Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis
- "Again you will be built, Virgin Israel": This phrase signifies a complete rebuilding and restoration of Israel's identity and community, presented with imagery of virginity suggesting purity and a fresh start. It is not merely physical reconstruction but a spiritual and national rebirth initiated by God.
- "You will again take up your tambourines": The tambourine was an instrument of joyous celebration and worship. Its revival signifies the return of praise and festivity, a stark contrast to the silence of grief and judgment.
- "and go out in the dance of the festivals": This describes active participation in communal worship and celebration. It moves from inward disposition to outward expression of restored joy and freedom, part of recognized periods of festival rejoicing.
Jeremiah 31 4 Bonus Section
The theme of God turning captivity and bringing joy is a recurring motif throughout Scripture. It reflects God's ultimate plan to redeem His people from sin and suffering, culminating in the eternal joy found in His presence. The "virgin Israel" imagery foreshadows the Church as the spotless bride of Christ, prepared for the heavenly wedding feast. The tambourine and dance represent the unhindered praise and adoration that will be characteristic of the redeemed in the new heavens and new earth, where sorrow and mourning will be no more.
Jeremiah 31 4 Commentary
This verse is a profound prophetic declaration of God’s unwavering commitment to His people. It highlights the transition from desolation to celebration, from mourning to dancing. The imagery of "Virgin Israel" being rebuilt and taking up her tambourines speaks of a restored purity, a fresh start, and the return of genuine worship and joy. This future state is a testament to God's grace and faithfulness, demonstrating that His judgments are for correction and ultimately lead to renewal. The rebuilding is not a human endeavor but a divine work, and the ensuing joy is expressed through instruments of praise and communal feasting, characteristic of Israel's restored covenant relationship with God.