Jeremiah 31:9 kjv
They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.
Jeremiah 31:9 nkjv
They shall come with weeping, And with supplications I will lead them. I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters, In a straight way in which they shall not stumble; For I am a Father to Israel, And Ephraim is My firstborn.
Jeremiah 31:9 niv
They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble, because I am Israel's father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son.
Jeremiah 31:9 esv
With weeping they shall come, and with pleas for mercy I will lead them back, I will make them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble, for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.
Jeremiah 31:9 nlt
Tears of joy will stream down their faces,
and I will lead them home with great care.
They will walk beside quiet streams
and on smooth paths where they will not stumble.
For I am Israel's father,
and Ephraim is my oldest child.
Jeremiah 31 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jer 31:9 | They will come with weeping; they will pray with pleading. I will lead them; I will guide them by streams of water in a straight path where they will not stumble. | Jeremiah 30:18, Isaiah 35:8-10, Zechariah 10:10-11 |
| Jer 31:9 | Because I am Israel's father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son. | Exodus 4:22-23, Hosea 11:1, Psalm 89:26 |
| Jer 30:3 | For behold, days are coming,' declares the Lord, 'when I will restore the fortunes of my people, Israel and Judah,' says the Lord; 'and I will bring them back to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they will possess it.' | Jeremiah 32:44, Ezekiel 36:24 |
| Jer 32:6 | Jeremiah said, “The word of the Lord came to me: 7 'Behold, Hanamel the son of Shallum your uncle will come to you saying, “Buy yourself my field which is in Anathoth, for you have the right of redemption to buy it.”' | Leviticus 25:25, Ruth 4:1-4 |
| Isa 40:11 | He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. | John 10:11, 1 Peter 5:2-4 |
| Isa 49:10 | They shall not hunger or thirst, nor shall the heat or sun strike them; for he who has mercy on them will lead them, and by springs of water he will guide them. | Revelation 7:16-17, Psalm 23:2 |
| Zec 10:12 | I will strengthen them in the Lord, and in his name they shall walk," says the Lord. | Philippians 4:13, 2 Timothy 2:1 |
| Hosea 11:8-9 | "How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender. I will not execute the fierceness of my anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and not a man; I the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath." | Deuteronomy 29:23, Genesis 19:24-25 |
| Psalm 23:1-3 | The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. | John 10:11, Psalm 16:11 |
| Matthew 11:28 | Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. | John 6:37, Hebrews 4:1-3 |
| John 10:14 | I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me. | John 10:11, 1 Corinthians 8:3 |
| 1 Corinthians 1:30 | He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption. | Colossians 1:14, Ephesians 1:7 |
| Galatians 3:28 | There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. | Ephesians 2:11-16, Colossians 3:11 |
| Revelation 21:4 | He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. | Isaiah 25:8, 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 |
| Revelation 7:17 | For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. | John 4:14, John 7:37-39 |
Jeremiah 31 verses
Jeremiah 31 9 Meaning
This verse speaks of a future restoration where God's people will return from exile with joy. It highlights divine guidance, emphasizing that God leads them back in compassion, a stark contrast to the previous judgment. The returning exiles will no longer weep for their past or for the loss of the land, but will be guided toward a peaceful and prosperous homeland.
Jeremiah 31 9 Context
Jeremiah 31 is a chapter of hope and restoration following a lengthy period of prophecy concerning judgment and exile. In the immediate context of chapter 31, God speaks through Jeremiah about a future day when the house of Israel and the house of Judah will be brought back from their captivity. This promise serves as a stark contrast to the dire warnings of destruction previously delivered by Jeremiah. Historically, this chapter addresses the Babylonian exile of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, but its prophetic scope extends to a future spiritual and national restoration for all of Israel, including the ten northern tribes dispersed earlier. This return is presented not as a cause for shame or further sorrow, but as a joyous homecoming facilitated by God's direct and compassionate leadership.
Jeremiah 31 9 Word Analysis
They (וּבָ֥אוּ - ūḇā'ū): Future tense verb, "and they shall come" or "and they will come."
Will come (בִּבְכִ֖י - bibḵî): A participial construction with the preposition "be" (meaning "in" or "with") and the noun "weeping" (בְּכִי - bəḵî). The presence of weeping indicates sorrow associated with their departure from exile, not despair, but a lament for past sins and a tender repentance.
With weeping (בַּתְּחִנּ֖וֹת - battəḥinnōṯ): Similar structure to the previous word, meaning "with supplications" or "with entreaties." This signifies a turning to God in prayer and humble petition during their journey.
They will pray (וְאֹ NVARCHAR יְרַחֲמֵֽם - wə'ō NVARCHAR yəraḥămêm): The phrase combines the conjunction "and" (וְ - wə) with the future tense verb "I will show mercy" (רִחַם - riḥam), followed by the first-person singular pronoun suffix "them" (e^m) representing the exiles.
I will lead them (בְּדִמְע֣וֹת - bəḏim‘ōṯ): A prepositional phrase, meaning "with tears." This is a profound statement that God will lead them, not with punishment, but with His own compassionate tears or amidst their repentant tears, which He acknowledges.
By streams (בְּנַחֲלֵ֣י־מַיִם־ - bənaḥălê-mayim-): "Streams of water." This depicts a refreshing, abundant, and life-giving guidance, a direct provision by God for their journey, symbolizing spiritual nourishment and ease.
Of water (בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ־יָשָׁ֔ר - bəḏereḵ-yāšār): "In a straight path" or "in a level way." This highlights the directness, safety, and clarity of God's leading, implying an easy and unobstructed passage back to their homeland, unlike their forced departure.
In a straight path (לֹ֣א יִכָּ NVARCHAR şֵּ֔לוּ - lōʼ yikkāšəlū): "They shall not stumble." The negation "lo" (לֹא) negates the Niphal (passive) form of the verb "stumble" or "trip" (כָּשַׁל - kāšal). God's guidance ensures their journey is safe and secure.
Where they will not stumble (כִּֽי־אֲנִ֣י־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל־אָ֖ב־וְאֶפְרַ֖יִם־בְּנִ֣י־בְכֹֽרִי־ - kî-’ăni-yiśrā’ēl-’āḇ-wə’ep̄rāyim-bəni-ḇəḵōri): This part of the verse connects God's compassionate leading to His fatherly relationship with Israel. "For I am Israel, a father," emphasizes God's unique parental bond. "And Ephraim is my firstborn son," specifically names the northern kingdom, showing His care even for the scattered tribes. This divine parentage underscores the intimacy and protective nature of His guidance.
Group Analysis - Divine Guidance and Compassion: The sequence of "weeping" and "supplications" transitioning into "I will lead them" with "streams of water" on a "straight path" shows a transition from past sorrow to present divine care and a secure future. This movement from human distress to divine intervention is a central theme of God’s restorative action. The emphasis on "mercy" and "father" highlights God's unmerited favor and the intimate relationship He has with His people, making their safe return possible and ensuring their well-being.
Jeremiah 31 9 Bonus Section
The declaration "Ephraim is my firstborn son" is significant because it applies to the Northern Kingdom, which had already been dispersed by Assyria long before Judah’s exile. This inclusion emphasizes God's holistic plan of restoration for all of Israel, not just the Southern Kingdom. It hints at a reunification of the divided nation under His care. The contrast between "weeping" and "streams of water" on a "straight path" illustrates the transformation from a state of judgment (marked by wandering and hardship) to a state of blessing (marked by divine provision and ease). This passage serves as a profound theological statement on God's enduring love and faithfulness despite His people's failures, highlighting His role as a merciful Father who corrects but ultimately redeems.
Jeremiah 31 9 Commentary
Jeremiah 31:9 encapsulates a pivotal moment of hope after extensive periods of national distress. The "weeping" signifies not despair but the profound sorrow that accompanies repentance and remembrance of past sin. Yet, this sorrow is immediately met by God's active intervention. He doesn't merely permit their return; He orchestrates it with divine care. The imagery of "streams of water" and a "straight path" paints a picture of effortless, life-giving, and secure passage. This direct guidance, coupled with God's affirmation of His paternal relationship ("I am Israel's father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son"), underscores the tender and preferential love that underpins His redemptive plans. It foreshadows the ultimate divine shepherd, Jesus Christ, who leads His flock into abundant life and ensures they will not stumble in their spiritual journey. This promise extends beyond a physical return from Babylonian exile to a spiritual homecoming with God.