Jeremiah 50 4

Jeremiah 50:4 kjv

In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping: they shall go, and seek the LORD their God.

Jeremiah 50:4 nkjv

"In those days and in that time," says the LORD, "The children of Israel shall come, They and the children of Judah together; With continual weeping they shall come, And seek the LORD their God.

Jeremiah 50:4 niv

"In those days, at that time," declares the LORD, "the people of Israel and the people of Judah together will go in tears to seek the LORD their God.

Jeremiah 50:4 esv

"In those days and in that time, declares the LORD, the people of Israel and the people of Judah shall come together, weeping as they come, and they shall seek the LORD their God.

Jeremiah 50:4 nlt

"In those coming days,"
says the LORD,
"the people of Israel will return home
together with the people of Judah.
They will come weeping
and seeking the LORD their God.

Jeremiah 50 verses

Jeremiah 50 4 meaning

Jeremiah 50:4 declares a profound future event by the Lord, describing a time when the long-divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah will be reunited. This reunification is depicted not merely as a physical return, but as a deeply spiritual pilgrimage back to God, characterized by heartfelt repentance, manifested through weeping, as they earnestly seek the Lord their God once more, thereby renewing their covenant relationship.

Jeremiah 50 4 Context

Jeremiah 50:4 is embedded within a broader prophetic oracle primarily directed against Babylon, which encompasses Jeremiah chapters 50 and 51. While the immediate verses (Jer 50:1-3) focus on Babylon's impending downfall as God's instrument of judgment for His people, this verse dramatically shifts the focus back to Israel and Judah. It reveals God's ultimate intention for His exiled people amidst the downfall of their oppressor.

Historically, the Northern Kingdom of Israel had been exiled by Assyria centuries earlier (722 BCE), while the Southern Kingdom of Judah was presently undergoing exile in Babylon (after 586 BCE). The separation between "Israel" (representing the ten northern tribes) and "Judah" (the southern two tribes) had persisted for over three centuries since the division of the kingdom under Rehoboam. Therefore, a prophecy of them "coming together" represented an overcoming of a long-standing political and spiritual schism. This verse offers a glimmer of hope and restoration for a seemingly fragmented and lost people, promising a future reunion and a profound spiritual return to their God after enduring the consequences of their sin and the yoke of exile.

Jeremiah 50 4 Word analysis

• "In those days and in that time" (בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם וּבָעֵת הַהִיא, bayamim hahem uvayeit hahi): This phrase is a common prophetic idiom, signifying a definite future period. It often refers to an eschatological time or a significant era in God's redemptive plan, distinct from the immediate historical context, suggesting a profound and divinely ordained unfolding of events.
• "declares the Lord" (נְאֻם־יְהוָה, nəʼum-YHWH): This is a powerful oracle formula, confirming that the preceding and following statements are direct divine pronouncements, carrying ultimate authority and certainty. It emphasizes the unwavering truth and immutability of God's word.
• "the people of Israel and the people of Judah" (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וּבְנֵי יְהוּדָה, bnei Yisrael u-vnei Yehudah): Refers to the collective descendants of Jacob. "Israel" here represents the Northern Kingdom's scattered descendants, while "Judah" signifies the Southern Kingdom, presently in Babylonian exile. This distinction is crucial, highlighting God's intention to reconcile a people long separated both geographically and politically since 1 Kings 12.
• "will come together" (יָבֹאוּ יַחְדָּו, yavoʼu yaḥdaw): The verb "will come" (yavoʼu) paired with the adverb "together" (yaḥdaw) underscores a collective, unified movement. It suggests a shared purpose and destination, implying not only physical assembly but also spiritual reconciliation and communal unity.
• "weeping as they go" (הָלוֹךְ וּבָכוֹ, halokh u-vakho): This expression uses the infinitive absolute halokh ("going") followed by the infinitive construct u-vakho ("and weeping"). This grammatical structure emphasizes the continuous, intense, and certain nature of the weeping. It signifies a profound, sincere repentance, sorrow over sin, and deep contrition that accompanies their journey of return.
• "and they will seek the Lord their God" (אֶת־יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיהֶם יְבַקְשׁוּ, ʼet-YHWH Elohehem yəvaqshu): The verb "seek" (biqqesh) denotes an earnest, deliberate, and active pursuit. It implies a fervent desire and commitment to find, understand, and relate to God. The title "the Lord their God" (YHWH Elohehem) reiterates their unique covenant relationship with the one true God, which they are now passionately desirous of restoring.

Words-group analysis:

• "In those days and in that time... declares the Lord": This composite phrase establishes the divine origin and certainty of a significant, future period, indicating God's preordained plan for a crucial turning point in history.
• "the people of Israel and the people of Judah will come together": This powerful pairing prophesies the cessation of a centuries-long division. It signifies a future restoration of national and spiritual unity for all God's people, transcending their historical fragmentations.
• "weeping as they go, and they will seek the Lord their God": This linked phrase beautifully portrays the spiritual transformation. Their journey of physical return is paralleled by an inner journey of genuine, heart-wrenching repentance. The weeping is not mere sorrow but leads directly into a fervent, active, and personal pursuit of the renewed covenant relationship with their God, marking a profound spiritual awakening.

Jeremiah 50 4 Bonus section

• The prophecy of "Israel and Judah coming together" points toward the ultimate unity of God's people, finding its ultimate fulfillment not just in a historical return to the land but in the spiritual union of believers, Jew and Gentile, in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:14-16).
• The "weeping as they go" signifies the concept of "lament," which in biblical spirituality is not a sign of weakness, but a potent expression of genuine sorrow for sin and yearning for God, often leading to deep spiritual renewal and eventual joy. This pattern of suffering preceding glory, and repentance preceding restoration, is a core theme in biblical theology.
• The re-establishment of "seeking the Lord their God" indicates a restored priority and true spiritual hunger. During their exile and rebellion, the people had often sought other gods or worldly alliances. This verse points to a future where their singular focus returns to their rightful divine King, YHWH.

Jeremiah 50 4 Commentary

Jeremiah 50:4 is a pivotal verse within a prophetic declaration of Babylon's judgment, offering a contrasting and powerful vision of hope for God's exiled people. It describes a future when the historical division between the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah will finally be healed, as both segments of the covenant people come together. Their return, however, is not merely a political or geographical repositioning; it is deeply spiritual. The emphasis on "weeping as they go" highlights a profound and sincere repentance, a brokenness over their past sins and their rebellion against God, which were the ultimate causes of their exile. This act of lamentation is a necessary precursor to genuine spiritual healing and restoration. Following this contrite weeping, they are depicted as actively "seeking the Lord their God," indicating an earnest, renewed desire for an intimate, covenantal relationship with the Creator who identifies as "their God." This verse underscores God's unfailing faithfulness to His covenant, promising a holistic restoration—physical, national, and profoundly spiritual—for His chosen people, foreshadowing a time of ultimate redemption and a heart transformed to truly desire Him.