Jeremiah 50 19

Jeremiah 50:19 kjv

And I will bring Israel again to his habitation, and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan, and his soul shall be satisfied upon mount Ephraim and Gilead.

Jeremiah 50:19 nkjv

But I will bring back Israel to his home, And he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan; His soul shall be satisfied on Mount Ephraim and Gilead.

Jeremiah 50:19 niv

But I will bring Israel back to their own pasture, and they will graze on Carmel and Bashan; their appetite will be satisfied on the hills of Ephraim and Gilead.

Jeremiah 50:19 esv

I will restore Israel to his pasture, and he shall feed on Carmel and in Bashan, and his desire shall be satisfied on the hills of Ephraim and in Gilead.

Jeremiah 50:19 nlt

And I will bring Israel home again to its own land,
to feed in the fields of Carmel and Bashan,
and to be satisfied once more
in the hill country of Ephraim and Gilead.

Jeremiah 50 verses

Jeremiah 50 19 meaning

Jeremiah 50:19 is a prophecy from God declaring the restoration of Israel from Babylonian captivity. It promises their return to their ancestral land, emphasizing abundant provision, security, and deep spiritual satisfaction. The imagery used – grazing on fertile lands – signifies an era of peace, prosperity, and contentment under divine care, directly contrasting with the hardships of exile.

Jeremiah 50 19 Context

Jeremiah 50, alongside chapter 51, constitutes a prophetic oracle primarily directed against Babylon, the nation responsible for Judah's exile. This section foretells Babylon's certain downfall, portraying it as divine judgment for its arrogance against YHWH and its cruelty towards Israel. Amidst these declarations of Babylon's destruction, a contrasting hope for Israel's restoration shines through. Verse 19, therefore, is nestled within this broader narrative of judgment and restoration, serving as a promise of God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people, even in the midst of their suffering and the global political upheavals orchestrated by God. Historically, the audience, enduring Babylonian captivity, would find immense solace in these words, reaffirming God's ultimate sovereignty over nations and His particular care for Israel. It also subtly contains a polemic against Babylonian polytheism and military might, asserting that YHWH, the God of Israel, is the true orchestrator of history, who not only judges empires but also lovingly restores His chosen.

Jeremiah 50 19 Word analysis

• And I will bring Israel again:
  • Hebrew: Wa-hăshîḇōṭî Yisrā’ēl (וַהֲשִׁבֹתִי יִשְׂרָאֵל).
  • "bring again" (וַהֲשִׁבֹתִי - hăshîḇōṭî): Derived from shuv, meaning "to turn, return, restore." This verb implies God's active, intentional, and sovereign intervention to reverse the state of exile. It's a key theological concept in Old Testament eschatology, signifying not merely a physical return but a spiritual reorientation.
  • "Israel": Refers to the covenant people of God. In this prophetic context, it encompasses both the descendants of the Northern Kingdom (Ephraim/Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah), anticipating a reunification and full restoration.
• to his habitation:
  • Hebrew: ’el-niwēhū (אֶל-נָוֵהוּ).
  • "habitation" (נָוֵהוּ - niwēhū): From naveh, which can mean "pasture," "dwelling," or "home." Here, it signifies a secure, established dwelling place, a land of belonging. It conveys both the physical return to their land and the concept of a safe, prosperous home under God's protection.
• and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan:
  • Hebrew: wə-rā‘â ba-Karme l ū-ḇāšān (וְרָעָה בַּכַּרְמֶל וּבָשָׁן).
  • "feed" (וְרָעָה - wə-rā‘â): From ra'ah, meaning "to pasture, graze, shepherd." This verb frequently depicts divine care and provision. It evokes the imagery of a shepherd leading his flock to rich pastures, symbolizing peace, plenty, and careful oversight by God.
  • "Carmel" and "Bashan": Geographically, Carmel was a fertile mountain range along the coast, famous for its vineyards and pastures. Bashan was a productive region east of the Jordan, renowned for its rich grazing lands and strong cattle. These two regions, often contrasted with desolate areas, serve as proverbial symbols of fertility, abundance, and agricultural richness. Their mention assures luxuriant provision.
• and his soul shall be satisfied:
  • Hebrew: wə-nafšō t tīsba‘ (וְנַפְשׁוֹ תִּשְׂבָּע).
  • "soul" (וְנַפְשׁוֹ - nafšō): From nephesh, meaning "life, self, person, inner being, appetite." It refers to the whole person, their desires, and inner well-being.
  • "satisfied" (תִּשְׂבָּע - tīsba‘): From saba‘, meaning "to be full, satiated, abound." This signifies deep fulfillment, not just of physical hunger but also of spiritual and emotional longing. It implies complete contentment and a deep sense of well-being.
• upon mount Ephraim and Gilead:
  • Hebrew: bə-Har ’Efrayim wə-Gil‘āḏ (בְּהַר אֶפְרַיִם וְגִלְעָֽד).
  • "mount Ephraim": The central mountainous region of the former Northern Kingdom of Israel. Its inclusion here specifically addresses the descendants of the Northern Kingdom, which had been in exile far longer than Judah. It signifies the full restoration of all twelve tribes and their territories, fostering unity.
  • "Gilead": A fertile region east of the Jordan River. Like Carmel and Bashan, it was known for its pasturage. Its mention further emphasizes the geographical extent of the restored and prosperous land, encompassing territories on both sides of the Jordan.

Words-group analysis:

• "I will bring Israel again to his habitation": This phrase underlines God's initiative in bringing His people back from a foreign land to their own secure and recognized home. It highlights the reversal of exile and divine providence in establishing them.
• "and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan, and his soul shall be satisfied": This segment combines physical abundance with deep, inner fulfillment. "Feeding" points to rich material provision and a life of ease, while "satisfied" extends beyond mere sustenance to include spiritual contentment and well-being. The land itself becomes a symbol of God's abundant grace.
• "upon mount Ephraim and Gilead": By specifying these two regions, the prophecy paints a complete picture of restored land, encompassing both sides of the Jordan and explicitly including the formerly separated northern tribes, indicating a complete and unified restoration of Israel's historic territories and peoples.

Jeremiah 50 19 Bonus section

This verse's promise of deep satisfaction (saba‘) and abundant feeding (ra'ah) resonates with the ultimate spiritual provision found in Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd (John 10). He leads His followers to green pastures (John 10:9) and offers living water that satisfies the soul eternally (John 4:14, 7:37-38). The full, secure "habitation" in Christ surpasses any physical land, providing an unshakeable spiritual dwelling. The geographical specifics of "Carmel, Bashan, mount Ephraim, and Gilead" are significant as they represent the pinnacle of Israel's promised fertility and restored national unity, foreshadowing the comprehensive spiritual blessing and reconciliation available to both Jew and Gentile in the New Testament church, making them "one flock with one Shepherd" (John 10:16, Eph 2:14-16). This verse serves as a micro-summary of God's redemptive plan—from scattering and judgment to divine gathering, abundant provision, and ultimate satisfaction.

Jeremiah 50 19 Commentary

Jeremiah 50:19 is a potent declaration of divine reversal, promising an end to Israel's desolation and exile through YHWH's direct action. The promise "I will bring Israel again to his habitation" speaks to a return that is not merely physical repatriation but a re-establishment of their secure, God-given homeland, undoing the trauma of displacement. The imagery of "feeding on Carmel and Bashan" is profoundly pastoral, depicting a people at peace, flourishing in abundant, fertile lands. This isn't just sustenance; it's a luxuriant provision, where worry about lack is replaced by rich grazing, reminiscent of the Psalms 23 shepherd leading his flock to green pastures. The most significant element is perhaps that "his soul shall be satisfied upon mount Ephraim and Gilead." This elevates the promise beyond mere physical or material blessing. "Soul satisfaction" speaks to an inner, spiritual contentment that permeates the entire being, fulfilling deep yearnings. The inclusion of "mount Ephraim" specifically signifies the reunification of the divided kingdom and the restoration of all Israel. Gilead extends this restoration across the Jordan. The prophecy looks forward to an ideal, messianic era where peace, plenty, and profound spiritual peace converge, fully realizing God's covenant blessings after their chastisement and deliverance from oppressive Babylon. It is a foretaste of the New Covenant's promise of true rest and contentment in God's presence.