Jeremiah 31:1

¶ At the same time, saith the LORD, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people.

At the same time {H6256}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}, will I be the God {H430} of all the families {H4940} of Israel {H3478}, and they shall be my people {H5971}.

"When that time comes," says ADONAI, "I will be God of all the clans of Isra'el, and they will be my people."

“At that time,” declares the LORD, “I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be My people.”

At that time, saith Jehovah, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people.

Commentary on Jeremiah 31:1 (KJV)

Jeremiah 31:1 stands as a powerful declaration of God's enduring faithfulness and His future plans for the nation of Israel. This verse opens a significant section of the book, often referred to as the "Book of Consolation" (chapters 30-33), which shifts from pronouncements of judgment to profound promises of restoration and renewal.

Context

The prophet Jeremiah primarily ministered during a tumultuous period leading up to and during the Babylonian exile. His early prophecies warned Judah of impending destruction due to their idolatry and unfaithfulness. However, Jeremiah 31 introduces a stark contrast to these messages of doom. It looks beyond the immediate suffering and dispersion of God's people, envisioning a future time when the Lord will gather them back to their land and re-establish His covenant relationship with them. This verse sets the stage for the remarkable promise of a new covenant later in the chapter.

Key Themes

  • Divine Faithfulness and Unchanging Promise: Despite Israel's repeated failures and the severe consequences of their disobedience, God's commitment to His covenant people remains steadfast. This verse highlights God's intrinsic nature to keep His word, even when His people are unfaithful. Malachi 3:6 reinforces this truth.
  • Comprehensive Restoration: The phrase "all the families of Israel" is significant. It implies a complete and holistic restoration, encompassing both the southern kingdom of Judah (which was exiled to Babylon) and the northern kingdom of Israel (which had been scattered much earlier by the Assyrians). It speaks to a future reunion and healing of the entire nation, promising that every household will experience God's renewed favor.
  • Reaffirmation of Covenant Relationship: The core declaration, "will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people," is a foundational covenant formula found throughout Scripture. It signifies an intimate, exclusive, and reciprocal relationship. This promise reassures Israel that God's ownership and loving care for them will be fully restored, leading to a renewed sense of belonging and divine protection. This echoes the original covenant promise in Exodus 6:7 and finds its ultimate fulfillment in the new heavens and new earth, as seen in Revelation 21:3.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "At the same time" (Hebrew: ba'et ha'hi) points to a specific future period, often understood in prophetic literature as the eschatological or Messianic era. It signals a definitive turning point in God's redemptive plan for His people.
  • "Families of Israel" (Hebrew: mishpachot Yisrael) emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the restoration, reaching into every segment and individual household of the nation, not just the political or religious leadership.
  • "My people" (Hebrew: 'ammi) is a term of endearment and possession, signifying God's unique relationship with Israel, chosen by Him out of all the nations.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 31:1 offers profound hope and insight for believers today. It reminds us that God's faithfulness is not contingent on our perfection but on His unchanging character. Even in times of judgment or personal struggle, God's ultimate desire is for restoration and intimate relationship. For Christians, this promise finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, through whom we are grafted into the covenant blessings (Romans 11:17). It encourages us to trust in God's sovereign plan, His power to restore, and His unwavering love, knowing that He desires to be our God and for us to be His people.

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.

  • Jeremiah 30:22

    And ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.

  • Isaiah 41:10

    ¶ Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

  • Jeremiah 30:24

    The fierce anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have done [it], and until he have performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it.

  • Genesis 17:7

    ¶ And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

  • Genesis 17:8

    And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

  • Jeremiah 3:18

    In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers.

  • Romans 11:26

    And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

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