Jeremiah 3:14

Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:

Turn {H7725}, O backsliding {H7726} children {H1121}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}; for I am married {H1166} unto you: and I will take {H3947} you one {H259} of a city {H5892}, and two {H8147} of a family {H4940}, and I will bring {H935} you to Zion {H6726}:

"Return, backsliding children," says ADONAI; "for I am your master. I will take you, one from a city, two from a family, and bring you to Tziyon.

“Return, O faithless children,” declares the LORD, “for I am your master, and I will take you—one from a city and two from a family—and bring you to Zion.

Return, O backsliding children, saith Jehovah; for I am a husband unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion.

Jeremiah 3:14 is a poignant call from the LORD to the nation of Israel, particularly the northern kingdom, often referred to as "backsliding children" due to their persistent idolatry and departure from God's covenant. This verse encapsulates God's enduring love, His call to repentance, and His promise of future restoration, even for a remnant.

Context

The prophet Jeremiah ministered during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, preceding the Babylonian exile. Chapters 2 and 3 of Jeremiah lament Israel's spiritual harlotry and unfaithfulness, comparing their abandonment of God for idols to a wife's betrayal of her husband. Despite their deep-seated apostasy, God extends an invitation to repentance, emphasizing His covenant fidelity.

Key Themes

  • God's Call to Repentance: The command to "Turn" (Hebrew: shuv) is a direct appeal for the people to return from their sinful ways and idolatry back to Him. This is a fundamental theme throughout the prophetic books, highlighting God's desire for His people's restoration rather than their destruction. For similar calls, consider Isaiah 55:7.
  • The Marriage Metaphor: God declares, "I am married unto you." This powerful metaphor underscores the intimate and binding covenant relationship between the LORD and Israel, established at Mount Sinai. Their "backsliding" (Hebrew: shuvavah, meaning "turning away" or "apostasy") is therefore depicted as spiritual adultery, a profound betrayal of their divine Husband. This imagery is also prominently used in books like Hosea 2:19-20.
  • Promise of Restoration and Remnant: Despite the widespread unfaithfulness, God promises to "take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion." This speaks to the concept of a faithful remnant – a small portion of the people who will heed His call and be gathered back to Jerusalem (Zion), the spiritual center. This promise foreshadows a future regathering and spiritual renewal.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "backsliding" (shuvavah) carries the sense of a habitual turning away, a persistent straying from the right path. It's a strong indictment of Israel's repeated and deliberate apostasy. The word for "married unto you" (ba'alti) from the root *ba'al* emphasizes God's role as the rightful "lord" or "husband" over Israel, highlighting His ownership and the depth of their covenant bond. The call to "Turn" (shuv) is the antidote, signifying a complete change of direction and heart.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 3:14 offers timeless truths for believers today. God's character is one of unwavering faithfulness, even when we are unfaithful. He consistently calls us to repentance, not to condemn but to restore our relationship with Him. Like ancient Israel, we can be prone to "backsliding" through neglect of spiritual disciplines or pursuit of worldly idols. This verse reminds us that God's grace is always available for those who genuinely turn back to Him, promising not only forgiveness but also restoration and a place in His presence.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Hosea 2:19

    And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies.

  • Hosea 2:20

    I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 2:19

    Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that [it is] an evil [thing] and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear [is] not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.

  • Jeremiah 31:32

    Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day [that] I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:

  • Isaiah 54:5

    For thy Maker [is] thine husband; the LORD of hosts [is] his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.

  • Zechariah 13:7

    ¶ Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man [that is] my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.

  • Zechariah 13:9

    And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It [is] my people: and they shall say, The LORD [is] my God.

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