TRV
Jeremiah 3:16
Bible Versions
And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the LORD, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the LORD: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit [it]; neither shall [that] be done any more.
And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied {H7235} and increased {H6509} in the land {H776}, in those days {H3117}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}, they shall say {H559} no more, The ark {H727} of the covenant {H1285} of the LORD {H3068}: neither shall it come {H5927} to mind {H3820}: neither shall they remember {H2142} it; neither shall they visit {H6485} it; neither shall that be done {H6213} any more.
"'"And," says ADONAI, "in those days, when your numbers have increased in the land, people will no longer talk about the ark for the covenant of ADONAI - they won't think about it, they won't miss it, and they won't make another one.
“In those days, when you multiply and increase in the land,” declares the LORD, “they will no longer discuss the ark of the covenant of the LORD. It will never come to mind, and no one will remember it or miss it, nor will another one be made.
And it shall come to pass, when ye are multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith Jehovah, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of Jehovah; neither shall it come to mind; neither shall they remember it; neither shall they miss it; neither shall it be made any more.
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Isaiah 65:17
¶ For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. -
Ezekiel 37:26
Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. -
Amos 9:14
And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit [them]; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. -
Amos 9:15
And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God. -
Zechariah 8:4
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age. -
Zechariah 8:5
And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof. -
Hosea 1:10
Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, [that] in the place where it was said unto them, Ye [are] not my people, [there] it shall be said unto them, [Ye are] the sons of the living God.
Jeremiah 3:16 delivers a remarkable prophecy concerning the future of Israel's worship and their relationship with God. Spoken during a time of spiritual decline and impending judgment, this verse offers a glimpse into a glorious future where the most sacred object of the Old Covenant, the Ark of the Covenant, will no longer be central or even remembered.
Context
The prophet Jeremiah ministered to the kingdom of Judah before its exile to Babylon, urging repentance for their spiritual unfaithfulness and idolatry. Chapter 3 specifically highlights Israel's persistent spiritual adultery and God's enduring desire for their return. Amidst warnings of impending judgment and a call for repentance, this verse offers a profound look beyond the immediate crisis, pointing to a future era of restoration and a new spiritual reality under the new covenant. It anticipates a time when the focus of worship will shift dramatically from physical symbols to a deeper, more intimate relationship with God.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The verse uses strong, repetitive language to emphasize the complete cessation of the Ark's significance: "say no more," "come to mind," "remember it," "visit [it]," and "be done any more." This repetition underscores that the Ark will not merely be forgotten, but actively rendered irrelevant by a new and superior spiritual reality. The KJV's "visit [it]" implies pilgrimage or seeking it out, which will no longer be necessary for a people in direct communion with God.
Related Scriptures
The prophecy of a future new covenant, which inherently removes the need for old symbols and external rituals, is more fully elaborated in Jeremiah 31:31-34. The fulfillment of this profound spiritual reality is found in the New Testament, where Christ is presented as the true tabernacle and the ultimate means of access to God (Hebrews 9:11-12). The indwelling presence of God within believers through the Holy Spirit, as promised in John 14:16-17 and described in 1 Corinthians 6:19, truly renders the physical Ark unnecessary for a worshipping people.
Practical Application
Jeremiah 3:16 encourages believers today not to cling to physical rituals, symbols, or even traditional practices if they become a barrier to a direct, spiritual relationship with God. While traditions can be valuable, our ultimate focus should be on Christ, who is the embodiment of God's presence and the fulfillment of all Old Testament shadows. This verse reminds us that God's plan is progressive, moving His people from external forms of worship to an internal, heart-based devotion. It highlights the profound shift from Old Covenant shadows to New Covenant realities, emphasizing the spiritual and personal nature of true worship that is accessible to all believers.