Jeremiah 31 8

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 verses

Jeremiah 31 8 meaning

Jeremiah 31:8 is a prophecy of hope, declaring God's unwavering promise to physically gather His exiled people, both Judah and Israel, and bring them back to their homeland. It emphasizes the comprehensive nature of this restoration, highlighting that even the most vulnerable and marginalized — the blind, the lame, the pregnant, and women in labor — will be included and protected in this divinely orchestrated return. This gathering will be of a vast multitude, initiated solely by God's powerful hand, signifying both His compassion and His ability to restore His covenant people.

Jeremiah 31 8 Context

Jeremiah chapter 31 is part of a larger section (chapters 30-33) often referred to as "The Book of Consolation." This portion of Jeremiah's prophecy provides hope and promises of restoration for both the northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) and the southern kingdom of Judah, which were facing or had already experienced the devastation of exile, primarily to Babylon. The preceding chapters detailed the impending judgment and destruction, while this section pivots to God's gracious future plans for His people. Verse 8, specifically, builds on the promise of "new exodus" (Jer 31:3-4) and the certainty of return to Zion, offering a tender and comprehensive picture of this restoration following their repentance and God's initiative. Historically, it addresses the trauma and despair of exile, offering a divine antidote of sovereign intervention and compassionate care.

Jeremiah 31 8 Word analysis

• Behold (הִנֵּה - hinnêh): An emphatic interjection. It draws immediate attention to a profound and certain declaration, emphasizing the trustworthiness and divine authority of the subsequent promise.

• I will bring (מֵבִיא - mêḇîʾ): A present participle in Hebrew, carrying the force of a definite, active, and ongoing action initiated directly by God. It signifies His personal, deliberate intervention, not a chance event.

• them: Refers to the scattered people of Israel and Judah, as established by the context of Jer 30-31, particularly their descendants from exile.

• from the north country (מֵאֶרֶץ צָפֹון - mêʾerets tsāfōn): This directly identifies Babylon as the primary place of exile, which was north and then east of Judah. It signifies the primary direction from which the physical return will originate.

• and gather them (קִבַּצְתִּים - qibbatstîm): The verb in Piel perfect tense conveys intensive and complete gathering, implying an act of deep care and purpose, overcoming dispersal.

• from the farthest parts of the earth (מִיַּרְכְּתֵי אָרֶץ - mîyarkĕtê ʾārets): Lit. "from the remotest flanks of the land/earth." This expands the scope beyond Babylon, indicating that wherever any Israelite has been scattered, God's reach extends to bring them back. It stresses the universal scope of the future ingathering.

• among them (בָּהֶם - bāhem): Signifies that the following groups are specifically included within the multitude, highlighting God's inclusive care.

• the blind (עִוֵּר - ʿiwwēr): A symbol of weakness and vulnerability in ancient society. Their inclusion underscores God's care for the physically challenged.

• and the lame (וּפִסֵּחַ - ūphissēaḥ): Also signifies vulnerability and physical impairment, representing those unable to navigate long journeys or protect themselves. Their inclusion emphasizes God's compassion and provision for the disadvantaged.

• the pregnant woman (הָרָה - hārāh): Highlights an additional layer of vulnerability, requiring extra care and slowing movement. God's concern for the most delicate during transit is evident.

• and she who is in labor (וְיֹלֶדֶת - wəyōleḏeṯ): Represents the extreme end of vulnerability, requiring immediate rest and medical attention. Their inclusion astonishingly emphasizes divine provision and protection for those in acute distress, suggesting the journey will be safe for all.

• together with a great company (קָהָל גָּדוֹל - qāhāl gāḏôl): "A great congregation/assembly." This indicates that the return will not be a mere remnant but a significant multitude, emphasizing the fullness and triumph of the restoration.

• they shall return here (יָשׁוּבוּ הֵנָּה - yāšūḇū hēnnāh): "Return" (shuv) signifies reversal of their exile, a restoration to their former state in the land. "Here" refers implicitly to the promised land of Israel, particularly Jerusalem/Zion, the center of God's covenant.

• "I will bring them from the north country and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth": This phrase underlines God's dual role as both the One who actively initiates the bringing and the One who meticulously gathers every dispersed individual. It confirms Babylon as the primary location of exile while extending God's reach globally to gather His people.

• "Among them the blind and the lame, the pregnant woman and she who is in labor": This is a profound statement about divine compassion and comprehensive care. In an ancient world, such vulnerable groups would be left behind or perish during difficult migrations. God's explicit mention of their inclusion ensures that no one is overlooked, emphasizing that His power makes the impossible journey safe for all.

• "Together with a great company, they shall return here": This ensures the audience that the return will be numerically significant, not just a handful, symbolizing a robust re-establishment of the nation. The "here" roots the promise firmly in the land of Israel, confirming the restoration of their national identity and dwelling.

Jeremiah 31 8 Bonus section

• The deliberate mention of "the pregnant woman and she who is in labor" demonstrates the peak of vulnerability. Ancient records and narratives often omit or leave these groups to suffer during difficult movements. God's promise here offers radical counter-cultural hope, picturing a divinely supervised, gentle journey where the fragile are explicitly protected and cared for. This underscores that no individual will be lost or abandoned.
• The themes of this physical gathering from exile resonate deeply with later messianic expectations and are partially fulfilled in the New Testament with the gathering of a spiritual Israel—both Jews and Gentiles—into Christ's kingdom, as those "far off" are brought "near" through Him.
• This verse can be seen as an ultimate demonstration of "chesed" (covenant loyalty and steadfast love) of God. Despite Israel's infidelity, God remains faithful to His promise of restoration, acting with sovereign power and unparalleled compassion.

Jeremiah 31 8 Commentary

Jeremiah 31:8 encapsulates the profound grace and unwavering promise of God amidst despair. Following the judgment of exile, God provides a vision of active, compassionate restoration. The "north country" and "farthest parts of the earth" represent the wide geographical dispersal of Israel, while "I will bring" and "gather" powerfully affirm God's sovereign initiative and ability to reclaim every one of His people. The enumeration of the blind, lame, pregnant, and those in labor is not merely descriptive but profoundly theological; it highlights God's exceptional care for the most vulnerable in society, underscoring that His covenant promise extends to even those least capable of making such a arduous journey themselves. This act of divine ingathering signifies a "new exodus," where God leads His people home with even greater tenderness and provision than before. The "great company" underscores the completeness of this restoration, signifying a vibrant national revival rather than a mere return of a remnant. This verse assures that God's covenant faithfulness guarantees a future where brokenness is healed and scattered sheep are gathered securely back into His fold, not just physically, but spiritually.