Jeremiah 3:7

KJV

And I said after she had done all these [things], Turn thou unto me. But she returned not. And her treacherous sister Judah saw [it].

KJV (with Strong's)

And I said {H559} after {H310} she had done {H6213} all these things, Turn {H7725} thou unto me. But she returned {H7725} not. And her treacherous {H901} sister {H269} Judah {H3063} saw {H7200} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

I said that after she had done all these things, she would return to me; but she hasn't returned. Meanwhile, her unfaithful sister Y'hudah has been watching.

Berean Standard Bible

I thought that after she had done all these things, she would return to Me. But she did not return, and her unfaithful sister Judah saw it.

American Standard Version

And I said after she had done all these things, She will return unto me; but she returned not: and her treacherous sister Judah saw it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 3:7 vividly portrays the Lord's profound patience and persistent call for repentance extended to the Northern Kingdom of Israel, often referred to as "backsliding Israel" or "she," even after their extensive and egregious spiritual infidelity. Despite God's merciful invitation to "Turn thou unto me," Israel tragically refused to return. This verse then introduces Judah, Israel's "treacherous sister," highlighting that Judah observed Israel's apostasy and subsequent judgment, yet failed to learn from this devastating historical lesson, ultimately embarking on a similar path of unfaithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 3:7 is situated within a powerful prophetic lament and call to repentance directed primarily at the Southern Kingdom of Judah, delivered during the reign of King Josiah (late 7th century BC). The preceding verses (Jeremiah 3:1-5) establish the metaphor of Israel as an unfaithful wife, guilty of spiritual harlotry through idolatry, whom God, despite her betrayal, still desires to reconcile with. Verse 6 specifically introduces the Lord's observation of "backsliding Israel's" widespread idolatry. Verse 7 then acts as a pivotal moment, recalling God's direct appeal to Israel before their exile, setting the stage for the indictment of Judah, who, having witnessed Israel's downfall, proved even more culpable in her own treachery. The chapter continues to contrast Israel's and Judah's unfaithfulness, culminating in a renewed call for both to return to the Lord.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This verse is set against the backdrop of a divided kingdom, where the Northern Kingdom of Israel had already fallen to Assyria in 722 BC due to their persistent idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. The Southern Kingdom of Judah, though still independent, was under increasing pressure from regional powers and was mirroring Israel's spiritual decline. Culturally, the covenant between God and Israel was often depicted as a marriage, making idolatry the ultimate act of spiritual adultery and betrayal. The worship of Baal, Asherah, and other Canaanite deities was rampant, often involving fertility rites and child sacrifice, directly violating the Mosaic Law. Judah's awareness of Israel's fate (exile) made their continued apostasy particularly egregious, as they had a clear historical precedent of divine judgment for such behavior.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 3:7 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores **God's persistent grace and patience**, demonstrating His unwavering desire for His people to repent and return, even after prolonged and severe rebellion, as seen in His plea to Israel to [“Turn thou unto me.”](/jeremiah/3-7 "Jeremiah 3:7 - God's Call to Repentance"). Secondly, it highlights the tragic theme of **human stubbornness and unfaithfulness**, as Israel's refusal to return ("But she returned not") exemplifies humanity's propensity to reject divine invitations to reconciliation. Thirdly, the verse introduces the theme of **corporate responsibility and the failure to learn from history**, as Judah, the "treacherous sister," observed Israel's downfall but failed to heed the warning, thereby compounding her own guilt. This foreshadows Judah's impending judgment, which is a major focus throughout Jeremiah. Finally, the verse reinforces the pervasive theme of **covenant breach and spiritual adultery**, portraying idolatry not merely as a ritualistic error but as a profound betrayal of the intimate, covenantal relationship between God and His people, a concept echoed in passages like [Hosea 2](/hosea/2 "Hosea 2 - Israel's Adultery and Restoration").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **returned (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** This primitive root signifies "to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively." It encompasses the idea of retreating, but often adverbially means "again." In the context of Jeremiah 3:7, its double appearance—first as an invitation to "Turn thou unto me" and then as a statement that "she returned not"—is crucial. The word carries the profound theological weight of repentance, a turning away from sin and back to God. Israel's failure to "shûwb" indicates a hardened heart and a deliberate refusal to re-establish their covenant relationship with the Lord.
* **treacherous (Hebrew, _bâgôwd'_):** Derived from the root "bâgad" (to deal treacherously, to act faithlessly), this term describes one who is "treacherous." It implies a deep breach of trust, a betrayal of a covenant or relationship. When applied to Judah, it emphasizes that their unfaithfulness was not merely negligent or accidental but a deliberate and profound violation of their sacred bond with God. The term highlights the severity of Judah's sin, particularly because they had the benefit of witnessing Israel's judgment and yet chose a similar path of betrayal.
* **saw (Hebrew, _râʼâh'_):** This primitive root means "to see, literally or figuratively," with numerous applications including discerning, perceiving, or observing. In Jeremiah 3:7, Judah "saw" Israel's apostasy and its consequences (exile). This act of "seeing" is critical because it implies knowledge and awareness. Judah was not ignorant of God's dealings with Israel; they had a clear object lesson before them. Therefore, their subsequent treachery was compounded by their conscious disregard of the historical evidence of divine judgment for unfaithfulness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I said after she had done all these [things], Turn thou unto me."**: This clause reveals God's incredible patience and persistent grace. "She" refers to the Northern Kingdom of Israel, whose "all these [things]" encapsulates their extensive and egregious idolatry and spiritual harlotry detailed in the preceding verses and chapters. Despite this profound betrayal, the Lord, like a loving husband, still extends an invitation for repentance and reconciliation, a direct call to "Turn thou unto me," signifying a desire for renewed covenant fidelity.
* **"But she returned not."**: This short, poignant clause highlights Israel's tragic and stubborn refusal to heed God's gracious invitation. It underscores their hardened hearts and deliberate choice to persist in their unfaithfulness, leading inevitably to the divine judgment of exile. This refusal is a stark contrast to God's persistent call, emphasizing the tragic consequences of unrepentant rebellion.
* **"And her treacherous sister Judah saw [it]."**: This final clause introduces the Southern Kingdom of Judah into the narrative, labeling her as "treacherous" (bâgôwd). The crucial point here is that Judah "saw" Israel's apostasy and the subsequent divine judgment that led to their exile. This implies that Judah had a clear warning and an opportunity to learn from Israel's mistakes. Her "treacherous" nature is amplified by the fact that she willfully ignored this historical lesson, choosing to follow in her sister's footsteps of unfaithfulness, thereby incurring even greater culpability.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 3:7 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Personification** is evident in the portrayal of both Israel and Judah as "she" and "her sister," respectively. This familial imagery transforms abstract nations into relatable individuals, making their actions—particularly their spiritual infidelity—more personal and poignant, akin to a wife betraying her husband or a sister failing to learn from another's mistakes. The chapter, and by extension this verse, relies heavily on the **Metaphor** of spiritual adultery, where Israel's idolatry is likened to an unfaithful wife. While not explicitly stated in this single verse, the term "treacherous" for Judah extends this metaphor, implying a similar breach of covenant fidelity. There is also a strong element of **Irony** in Judah's situation: having witnessed the devastating consequences of Israel's unfaithfulness, Judah, instead of repenting, commits similar acts of betrayal. This tragic irony underscores Judah's heightened culpability. Finally, the **Contrast** between God's persistent call to "Turn" and Israel's tragic failure to "return not" emphasizes the divine patience against human stubbornness, setting a somber tone for Judah's impending judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 3:7 is a profound theological statement on the nature of God's covenant relationship with His people and the tragic reality of human unfaithfulness. It reveals God as a patient and merciful Father, who, even in the face of egregious betrayal, extends a call to repentance, demonstrating His unwavering desire for reconciliation rather than destruction. This divine patience, however, is met with stubborn rebellion, illustrating the profound freedom and responsibility of human choice. The verse also highlights the principle of corporate responsibility and the heightened culpability that comes with knowledge and opportunity. Judah's failure to learn from Israel's history underscores that divine warnings, when ignored, only deepen guilt. This passage serves as a timeless reminder that genuine repentance is not merely a ritual but a heartfelt turning back to God, and that ignoring the lessons of history can lead to devastating consequences.

* [Ezekiel 33:11](/ezekiel/33-11 "Ezekiel 33:11 - God Desires Repentance, Not Death")
* [Hosea 11:8](/hosea/11-8 "Hosea 11:8 - God's Reluctance to Give Up on Israel")
* [Luke 12:48](/luke/12-48 "Luke 12:48 - To Whom Much Is Given, Much Is Required")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 3:7 serves as a powerful mirror for both individual believers and the corporate church today, inviting us to critically examine our own responsiveness to God's persistent call. Just as God pleaded with Israel to "Turn thou unto me," He continually calls us to deeper commitment, genuine repentance, and a more faithful walk. Are we, like Israel, exhibiting a stubborn refusal to turn from areas of spiritual compromise, idolatry (whether overt or subtle, such as worshipping comfort, success, or self), or apathy? Furthermore, the example of Judah is a stark warning: do we learn from the mistakes and consequences that befall others, or even our own past failures? Or do we, with the benefit of hindsight and the clear lessons of Scripture and history, foolishly repeat patterns of unfaithfulness, assuming God's patience is limitless or that judgment will not apply to us? This verse compels us to cultivate a heart that is genuinely responsive to the Lord's voice, actively seeking to honor Him in all areas of life, and to avoid the spiritual treachery of knowing what is right but choosing otherwise.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be exhibiting a "stubbornness" or "unwillingness to return" to God, similar to ancient Israel?**
* **What historical or personal lessons has God provided that I might be neglecting, similar to Judah's failure to learn from Israel's fate?**
* **How does my understanding of God's patience (His call to "Turn thou unto me") influence my commitment to genuine, ongoing repentance?**

### FAQ
**Who are "she" and "Judah" in this verse, and why is their relationship significant?**

Answer: In Jeremiah 3:7, "she" refers to the Northern Kingdom of Israel, often called "backsliding Israel" or "Ephraim" in prophetic literature. This kingdom had already been conquered and exiled by Assyria (722 BC) due to its widespread idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. "Judah" refers to the Southern Kingdom, which was still in existence during Jeremiah's ministry. Their relationship as "sisters" emphasizes their shared lineage as descendants of Jacob (Israel) and their common covenant relationship with Yahweh. The significance lies in Judah having witnessed Israel's apostasy and the subsequent divine judgment of exile. Judah, therefore, had a clear historical warning, making her own unfaithfulness even more egregious because she chose to ignore the lessons of her "sister's" downfall and embark on a similar path of "treachery."

**What does it mean for Judah to be a "treacherous sister"?**

Answer: The term "treacherous" (Hebrew: *bâgôwd*) implies a deep breach of trust, a betrayal of a covenant or relationship. When applied to Judah, it signifies that their unfaithfulness to God was not merely accidental or ignorant but a deliberate and profound violation of their sacred bond. Judah's "treachery" is highlighted by the fact that they had observed Israel's severe apostasy and the devastating consequences of divine judgment (exile). Despite this clear object lesson, Judah chose to persist in her own idolatry and spiritual infidelity, demonstrating a conscious and willful betrayal of the Lord. This makes Judah's sin arguably more culpable than Israel's, as she had the benefit of hindsight but failed to learn from it, as further lamented in [Jeremiah 3:10](/jeremiah/3-10 "Jeremiah 3:10 - Judah's Feigned Return").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 3:7, with its poignant depiction of God's persistent call to a wayward people and their tragic refusal to return, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. The Lord's lament over Israel's unfaithfulness and Judah's subsequent treachery foreshadows the ongoing human propensity to stray from God. Yet, in Christ, God's patient call to "Turn thou unto me" is perfectly embodied and made truly effective. While Israel and Judah could not genuinely return on their own, Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, offers the means for true repentance and reconciliation. His life, death, and resurrection provide the new covenant, where the law is written on hearts, enabling a genuine turning (metanoia) that the Old Covenant people struggled to achieve. The "treacherous sister" Judah, representing all humanity in its rebellion, is offered forgiveness and a new relationship through Christ's atoning sacrifice. He is the one who perfectly fulfills God's desire for a people who truly "return" to Him, not through external obedience alone, but through a transformed heart, by the power of the Holy Spirit, as promised in the new covenant of [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant"). In Christ, the persistent grace of God, seen in Jeremiah's plea, culminates in the ultimate act of divine love that makes true return and reconciliation possible for all who believe, fulfilling the very heart of God's desire for His people to be truly His own, as seen in [2 Corinthians 5:19-21](/2_corinthians/5-19 "2 Corinthians 5:19-21 - God Reconciling the World to Himself Through Christ").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 16:46

And thine elder sister [is] Samaria, she and her daughters that dwell at thy left hand: and thy younger sister, that dwelleth at thy right hand, [is] Sodom and her daughters.

Ezekiel 23:2

Son of man, there were two women, the daughters of one mother:

Ezekiel 23:4

And the names of them [were] Aholah the elder, and Aholibah her sister: and they were mine, and they bare sons and daughters. Thus [were] their names; Samaria [is] Aholah, and Jerusalem Aholibah.

Hosea 6:1

¶ Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.

Hosea 6:4

¶ O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness [is] as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.

2 Kings 17:13

Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, [and by] all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments [and] my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.

2 Kings 17:14

Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God.