Jeremiah 30:19

KJV

And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.

KJV (with Strong's)

And out of them shall proceed {H3318} thanksgiving {H8426} and the voice {H6963} of them that make merry {H7832}: and I will multiply {H7235} them, and they shall not be few {H4591}; I will also glorify {H3513} them, and they shall not be small {H6819}.

Complete Jewish Bible

From them will come thanksgiving and the sound of people celebrating. I will increase them; they will not be decreased; I will honor them; they will not be despised.

Berean Standard Bible

Thanksgiving will proceed from them, a sound of celebration. I will multiply them, and they will not be decreased; I will honor them, and they will not be belittled.

American Standard Version

And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 30:19 is a profound prophetic declaration within the "Book of Consolation," foretelling a future era of divine restoration for God's people, Israel. It promises a complete reversal of their fortunes from sorrow and diminishment to exuberant joy, abundant growth, and elevated honor. This verse encapsulates God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises, assuring a time when His redeemed people will express their gratitude through worship and experience flourishing under His sovereign hand, dispelling any notion of their insignificance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 30:19 is nestled within the "Book of Consolation" (chapters 30-33), a section distinct from Jeremiah's earlier pronouncements of judgment and impending exile. This segment shifts the prophetic focus from condemnation to hope, detailing God's future plans for the restoration of Judah and Israel. Specifically, chapter 30 opens with a divine command to record these promises (Jeremiah 30:1-3), followed by descriptions of a future "Jacob's trouble" (Jeremiah 30:4-7) but immediately pivoting to assurances of deliverance from bondage (Jeremiah 30:8-11). Verse 19 directly follows the promise of the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the return to former habitations (Jeremiah 30:18), indicating that the thanksgiving, multiplication, and glorification are direct results and expressions of this promised restoration. It builds upon the idea that God will heal their wounds (Jeremiah 30:17) and establish a just leader among them (Jeremiah 30:21), setting the stage for a community characterized by divine blessing.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecies in Jeremiah were delivered during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, leading up to and encompassing the Babylonian exile (c. 605-586 BC). The people of Judah had repeatedly broken their covenant with God, leading to divine judgment, symbolized by the impending destruction of Jerusalem and forced deportation. The exile was a time of immense suffering, loss of national identity, and spiritual despair, as the people were scattered and their temple destroyed. In this context, the promises of restoration in Jeremiah 30-33 were revolutionary and counter-cultural. They spoke against the prevailing despair, offering a vision of return to their land, rebuilding of their cities, and renewal of their relationship with Yahweh. The cultural significance of "thanksgiving" often involved communal celebrations and sacrifices, while "multiplication" and "glorification" directly addressed the humiliation and decimation experienced by a defeated and exiled people.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 30:19 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores God's **Covenant Faithfulness**, demonstrating that despite Israel's persistent unfaithfulness, God remains true to His promises to Abraham regarding a numerous seed and a blessed nation ([Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "Genesis 12:2 - God's Promise to Abraham")). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Restoration**, portraying God as the active agent who reverses national decline, turning sorrow into joy and scarcity into abundance. This is a central message throughout the "Book of Consolation," culminating in the promise of a [new covenant](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31 - The New Covenant") that would supersede the old. Thirdly, the verse emphasizes **Joyful Worship and Thanksgiving** as the natural and inevitable response to God's redemptive work. The "voice of them that make merry" signifies a profound spiritual and emotional transformation, moving from lament to celebration. Finally, it speaks to the theme of **God's Glory Reflected in His People**, where their multiplication and honor are not merely for their own sake but serve to magnify God's power and faithfulness among the nations.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **thanksgiving (Hebrew, _tôwdâh'_):** From H8426, this word properly signifies "an extension of the hand," implying an act of confession, avowal, or adoration. It is often associated with a sacrifice of praise or a song of gratitude, particularly in the context of deliverance or salvation. In Jeremiah 30:19, it denotes a profound, heartfelt expression of gratitude and worship for God's redemptive work, moving beyond mere words to an embodied act of praise.
* **make merry (Hebrew, _sâchaq'_):** Derived from H7832, this primitive root means "to laugh (in pleasure or detraction); by implication, to play." Here, it conveys a sense of joyous celebration, spontaneous laughter, and playful delight. It paints a picture of a people whose sorrow has been completely transformed into unbridled happiness, expressed through festive activities and communal rejoicing.
* **multiply (Hebrew, _râbâh'_):** From H7235, this root means "to increase (in whatever respect)." It encompasses concepts of abundance, growth, and becoming many. In this context, it speaks to a demographic and perhaps economic flourishing, reversing the diminishment and scattering experienced during the exile, echoing God's original promises of fruitfulness.
* **glorify (Hebrew, _kâbad'_):** This word (H3513) means "to be heavy" and, in a good sense, refers to being numerous, rich, or honorable. Causatively, it means "to make weighty," implying to bestow honor, importance, or renown. Here, it promises that God will elevate the status of His people, bestowing upon them dignity and respect, thereby reversing their previous humiliation and ignominy among the nations.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry:"** This clause introduces the spiritual and emotional transformation that will accompany the physical restoration. "Out of them" refers to the restored remnant of Israel. Their renewed existence will spontaneously generate expressions of profound gratitude and joyful celebration. This is not a forced act but an overflowing response to God's grace and deliverance, indicating a deep spiritual health and emotional well-being. The "voice" emphasizes the audible and communal nature of this praise.
* **"and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few;"** This segment focuses on the quantitative aspect of God's blessing. The divine "I will" highlights God's sovereign agency in this process. After the decimation and scattering of the exile, God promises to increase their numbers significantly, ensuring they are no longer a diminished or insignificant people. The negative phrasing "they shall not be few" emphasizes the completeness of this reversal from their previous state of decline.
* **"I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small."** This final clause addresses the qualitative aspect of their restoration – their honor and status. Again, God is the active agent in this glorification. "Glorify" implies bestowing weight, honor, and importance upon them. The parallel negative phrasing "they shall not be small" reinforces the idea that they will no longer be despised, humiliated, or insignificant in the eyes of the world. Instead, they will be elevated to a position of respect and prominence, reflecting God's own glory.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 30:19 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of hope and restoration. Most notably, **Parallelism** is evident in the latter half of the verse, where "I will multiply them, and they shall not be few" is mirrored by "I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small." This synonymous parallelism emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's blessing, reinforcing the idea of both quantitative increase and qualitative elevation. The use of double negatives ("not be few," "not be small") serves as a strong **Litotes**, underscoring the absolute certainty of their abundance and significance by denying their opposite. Furthermore, the phrase "the voice of them that make merry" is a form of **Metonymy**, where "voice" stands for the entire act of joyful celebration, highlighting the audible and communal expression of their newfound happiness. The verse also functions as a powerful **Prophecy**, offering a future vision that contrasts sharply with the present suffering, thereby providing hope and encouragement to a despairing people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 30:19 is a vibrant testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and His redemptive character. It underscores the biblical truth that God's ultimate intention for His people is not judgment, but restoration and flourishing, even after periods of severe discipline. This verse reveals that true spiritual restoration culminates in spontaneous, heartfelt worship and thanksgiving, as the redeemed community recognizes the source of their renewed life and abundance. It affirms God's power to reverse human suffering and humiliation, demonstrating His commitment to His covenant promises to multiply and bless His chosen people, ultimately for His own glory. This divine act of making a small and scattered people numerous and honored serves as a powerful witness to His sovereign might and enduring love.

* [Psalm 107:22](/psalm/107-22 "Psalm 107:22 - Offering Sacrifices of Thanksgiving")
* [Isaiah 60:22](/isaiah/60-22 "Isaiah 60:22 - The Smallest Shall Become a Thousand")
* [Zechariah 8:12](/zechariah/8-12 "Zechariah 8:12 - Promises of Prosperity and Peace")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 30:19 offers a powerful beacon of hope and a profound lesson in God's redemptive character for believers today. It reminds us that even in our deepest valleys of despair, personal or communal, God's ultimate plan is for our restoration, multiplication, and glorification. When we face periods of spiritual barrenness, emotional depletion, or seemingly insurmountable challenges, this verse assures us that God is capable of turning our lament into laughter, our scarcity into abundance, and our shame into honor. Our natural response to God's transforming work should be one of overflowing thanksgiving and joyful praise, recognizing that true flourishing comes from His hand alone. This passage encourages us to cultivate a posture of hope, trusting in God's ability to bring about radical change, not just in our circumstances, but within our very hearts, leading to lives characterized by gratitude and purpose.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel "few" or "small" right now, and how does the promise of God's multiplication and glorification speak to those areas?**
* **How might a deeper understanding of God's faithfulness, as demonstrated in this verse, transform your current expressions of worship and thanksgiving?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a heart of "thanksgiving and merry-making" even when full restoration is not yet visible?**

### FAQ

**What is the "Book of Consolation" and why is Jeremiah 30:19 part of it?**

Answer: The "Book of Consolation" refers to Jeremiah chapters 30-33, a distinct section within the prophet Jeremiah's writings. While much of Jeremiah's prophecy focuses on judgment against Judah for its unfaithfulness and impending exile, these chapters shift dramatically to promises of future restoration, hope, and a new covenant. Jeremiah 30:19 is central to this theme because it articulates specific divine promises of turning sorrow into joy, scarcity into abundance, and humiliation into honor for God's people, directly countering the despair of their exile and offering a vision of their glorious future. It's a message of comfort and assurance, hence its inclusion in this section.

**How does this verse relate to the concept of God's covenant with Israel?**

Answer: This verse is deeply rooted in God's covenant promises to Israel, particularly the Abrahamic covenant, which included the promise of a numerous offspring and a blessed nation ([Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "Genesis 12:2 - God's Promise to Abraham")). The exile represented a severe breach of the Mosaic covenant due to Israel's disobedience. However, Jeremiah 30:19 demonstrates God's enduring faithfulness to His unconditional promises. Despite Israel's failures, God pledges to restore them, multiply them, and glorify them, fulfilling His original intentions for His chosen people and reaffirming His commitment to their national and spiritual well-being within the framework of His eternal covenant.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 30:19 directly addresses the physical and spiritual restoration of Israel from Babylonian exile, its prophetic vision finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ and the new covenant He inaugurated. The "thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry" are fully realized in the perpetual worship and joy of the Church, the redeemed people of God, who celebrate their salvation through the [sacrifice of Christ](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Sanctified Through Christ's Offering"). The promise "I will multiply them, and they shall not be few" transcends ethnic Israel to encompass all believers, as the gospel spreads to every nation, bringing countless souls into the family of God, fulfilling the Great Commission to [make disciples of all nations](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission"). Furthermore, "I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small" points to the spiritual glorification of believers who are made children of God through adoption ([Romans 8:15](/romans/8-15 "Romans 8:15 - Spirit of Adoption")), co-heirs with Christ ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ")), and will ultimately share in His resurrected glory ([Philippians 3:21](/philippians/3-21 "Philippians 3:21 - Our Transformed Body")). Thus, the restoration promised in Jeremiah finds its most complete and eternal expression in the redemptive work of Christ, establishing a spiritual kingdom characterized by unending praise, boundless growth, and divine honor.

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

Jeremiah 33:22

As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David my servant, and the Levites that minister unto me.

Isaiah 51:11

Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy [shall be] upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; [and] sorrow and mourning shall flee away.

Isaiah 60:22

A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time.

Isaiah 35:10

And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Ezekiel 36:37

Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will yet [for] this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do [it] for them; I will increase them with men like a flock.

Jeremiah 31:12

Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.

Jeremiah 31:13

Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.