Jeremiah 31:8 kjv
Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither.
Jeremiah 31:8 nkjv
Behold, I will bring them from the north country, And gather them from the ends of the earth, Among them the blind and the lame, The woman with child And the one who labors with child, together; A great throng shall return there.
Jeremiah 31:8 niv
See, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. Among them will be the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor; a great throng will return.
Jeremiah 31:8 esv
Behold, I will bring them from the north country and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, the pregnant woman and she who is in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here.
Jeremiah 31:8 nlt
For I will bring them from the north
and from the distant corners of the earth.
I will not forget the blind and lame,
the expectant mothers and women in labor.
A great company will return!
Jeremiah 31 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jer 31:8 | Behold, I bring them from the north country, and gather them from the ends of the earth... | Jer 31:8 (original verse) |
| Deut 30:3 | Then the LORD your God will turn your captivity, and have compassion upon you, and will return and gather you from all the nations... | Deut 30:3 (Promise of gathering from exile) |
| Isa 11:11-12 | And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people... | Isa 11:11-12 (Second gathering of remnant) |
| Isa 27:12-13 | And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall beat off from the flood of Egypt unto the river of Egypt... | Isa 27:12-13 (Scattered sheep gathered) |
| Isa 43:5-6 | Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west... | Isa 43:5-6 (Gathering from all directions) |
| Isa 49:12 | Behold, these shall come from far: and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim. | Isa 49:12 (People coming from distant lands) |
| Jer 3:14 | Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you... | Jer 3:14 (Broken covenant, promise of return) |
| Jer 16:14-15 | Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be said, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of Egypt; But, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them... | Jer 16:14-15 (New exodus imagery) |
| Jer 23:3-4 | And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds... | Jer 23:3-4 (Shepherd gathering scattered sheep) |
| Jer 29:14 | And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD... | Jer 29:14 (Promise of regathering after exile) |
| Mic 4:6-7 | The LORD thy God will gather thee, and from thy kindred, and from thy people, which are scattered abroad... | Mic 4:6-7 (Gathering the dispersed nation) |
| Zeph 3:19-20 | Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out... | Zeph 3:19-20 (God's act of gathering and salvation) |
| Matt 24:31 | And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. | Matt 24:31 (Gathering of the elect in the New Testament) |
| John 11:52 | And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. | John 11:52 (Jesus' ministry to gather God's children) |
| Acts 1:11 | Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. | Acts 1:11 (Ascension and promise of His return for gathering) |
| Rev 7:1-3 | And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds... and another angel ascending from the east... | Rev 7:1-3 (Angels gathering God's servants) |
| Psa 107:3 | And gathered them out of the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. | Psa 107:3 (Davidic echo of gathering) |
| Zech 10:8 | I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased. | Zech 10:8 (God's calling and gathering) |
| Jer 32:37 | Behold, I will gather them from all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely. | Jer 32:37 (Similar promise of regathering) |
| Deut 4:27 | And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD shall lead you. | Deut 4:27 (Consequence of disobedience leading to scattering) |
| Hosea 1:10 | Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the children of the living God. | Hos 1:10 (Transformation and vast number after gathering) |
Jeremiah 31 verses
Jeremiah 31 8 Meaning
This verse describes God's compassionate gathering of His dispersed people from the farthest reaches of the earth, bringing them back to their homeland. It signifies a future restoration, emphasizing God's unwavering love and remembrance of His people, even after periods of judgment and exile. The emphasis is on a renewed covenant relationship and the reunification of Israel.
Jeremiah 31 8 Context
Jeremiah chapter 31 describes a new covenant and future restoration for Israel after a period of exile and judgment. The preceding verses have detailed the impending destruction and the sorrow of exile due to their sinfulness. This specific verse, however, marks a turning point in the prophecy, shifting from judgment to a profound message of hope and unconditional divine love. The audience, living under the threat and reality of Babylonian exile, would have found this promise of return and reunification incredibly comforting. The historical backdrop is the Southern Kingdom of Judah's impending fall to Babylon, but the prophecy looks beyond that immediate catastrophe to a future gathering that surpasses even the Exodus from Egypt.
Jeremiah 31 8 Word Analysis
- "Behold" (הִנֵּה - hinneh): An interjection drawing attention, signifying an imminent or important event.
- "I" (אָנֹכִי - anokhi): Emphasizes the personal action of God in this act of gathering.
- "will bring" (אָבִיא - avi): Future tense of the verb "to bring," indicating a divine act of deliverance.
- "them": Refers to the dispersed people of Israel, scattered due to disobedience.
- "from the north country" (מִצְּפוֹן - mitzfon): Likely refers to Babylon or other northern exile locations from the perspective of Jerusalem.
- "and gather" (וַאֲסַפְתִּי - we'asapti): Another future tense verb from "to gather" or "collect," signifying active restoration.
- "them": The dispersed people.
- "from the ends of the earth" (מִקְצֵה־הָאָרֶץ - mik'tseh-ha'aretz): Denotes the remotest regions, highlighting the comprehensive nature of God's salvific action.
- "I will bring": Reinforces God's active role in their restoration.
- "them": The scattered nation.
- "with them also the lame": Indicates inclusion of the weakest and most vulnerable members of the population.
- "and the castaway" (וּפִסְחֵי מְצוּדָה - u'fischei metzudah): Literally "those who limp and those trapped/confined," signifying those who are weak, infirm, or perhaps those who have been exiled and have lost much. It emphasizes compassion for the broken.
- "from the dispersed flock" (מֵאָסְפוֹס - me'asphos): The context of "flock" implies vulnerability and need of a shepherd.
- "and I will make them a praise and a fame" (וּשִׂמְחָה - usimchah): Suggests their restoration will bring them joy and a reputation of God's faithfulness, turning their past shame into glory.
Groups of Words Analysis:
- "from the north country, and gather them from the ends of the earth": This pairing emphasizes the comprehensive scope of God's gathering, signifying restoration from all regions of dispersion.
- "the lame and the castaway": This phrase underscores God's tender mercy towards the weakest and most afflicted of His people, showing that no one is forgotten or left behind in the restoration.
Jeremiah 31 8 Bonus Section
The concept of God gathering His dispersed people echoes the foundational event of the Exodus, but this prophecy describes an even greater act of salvation. The inclusion of the "lame" and "castaway" is particularly poignant, as it highlights God’s immeasurable grace extended to the weak, the suffering, and the seemingly insignificant. This aspect of divine compassion for the vulnerable finds significant fulfillment in the New Testament, where Jesus explicitly states, "The things which God before hath shewed by the mouth of all his holy prophets, that his Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled." (Acts 3:18). Furthermore, Jesus identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11), reinforcing the imagery of active gathering and care. This prophetic promise is a profound theological statement about God’s covenant faithfulness and His ultimate desire to see His people whole and redeemed.
Jeremiah 31 8 Commentary
This verse paints a vivid picture of God's unfailing love and commitment to His people. It is not just a physical return from exile but a spiritual reintegration. God will actively pursue, collect, and bring back even the most vulnerable. This act will transform them from a disgraced and scattered people into a source of praise for God. It foreshadows Christ’s work of gathering all believers, Jews and Gentiles, into His one new man. The gathering described here is complete and compassionate, leaving no one behind. This promise assures the faithful that despite severe discipline, God's ultimate plan is reconciliation and reunion.