Jeremiah 31:11

KJV

For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of [him that was] stronger than he.

KJV (with Strong's)

For the LORD {H3068} hath redeemed {H6299} Jacob {H3290}, and ransomed {H1350} him from the hand {H3027} of him that was stronger {H2389} than he.

Complete Jewish Bible

For ADONAI has ransomed Ya'akov, redeemed him from hands too strong for him.

Berean Standard Bible

For the LORD has ransomed Jacob and redeemed him from the hand that had overpowered him.

American Standard Version

For Jehovah hath ransomed Jacob, and redeemed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 31:11 stands as a profound declaration of God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, Israel (Jacob), promising their ultimate liberation from overwhelming oppression. This verse encapsulates the divine initiative in redemption, asserting that the LORD Himself has acted and will continue to act decisively to deliver His chosen ones from forces far superior to their own strength. It serves as a beacon of hope within the "Book of Comfort," assuring a future of restoration and freedom for a people facing the despair of exile, rooted in God's sovereign power and covenant faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 31:11 is strategically placed within the "Book of Comfort" (chapters 30-33), a pivotal section of Jeremiah's prophecy that marks a dramatic shift from pronouncements of impending judgment and exile to glorious messages of hope, restoration, and a renewed covenant. This particular verse immediately precedes the foundational prophecy of the [New Covenant](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31 - The New Covenant"), establishing the theological groundwork for God's enduring faithfulness and His future work of restoration. By reaffirming God's past and future acts of deliverance, it sets the stage for the profound promise of a transformed relationship between God and His people, where the law will be written not on tablets of stone but on their hearts, as described in [Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The Law on the Heart"). The emphasis on God's redemptive power in verse 11 underscores the certainty of the New Covenant's establishment, as it is rooted in His immutable character and infinite capability.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecies of Jeremiah were delivered during a tumultuous and agonizing period in Judah's history, leading up to and encompassing the Babylonian exile. The phrase "him that was stronger than he" primarily refers to the formidable Neo-Babylonian Empire, which had risen to become the dominant superpower of the ancient Near East. This empire had militarily, economically, and politically overwhelmed the small kingdom of Judah, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem and its sacred Temple, and the forced deportation of a significant portion of its population to Babylon. The people of Judah were plunged into profound despair, feeling abandoned by their God and utterly helpless against their seemingly invincible oppressors. In this context of national catastrophe and spiritual despondency, the prophetic declaration that the LORD had "redeemed Jacob" and "ransomed him" was not a statement about a past event, but a powerful assurance of future deliverance. It drew upon Israel's foundational historical memory of God's miraculous redemption from Egyptian bondage, as vividly recounted in [Exodus 14](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Crossing of the Red Sea"), to instill hope for a new, equally miraculous liberation.

* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 31:11 powerfully articulates several core theological themes that resonate throughout the book of Jeremiah and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Redemption and Sovereignty**, emphasizing that Israel's deliverance is solely the work of the LORD, not dependent on human strength, military might, or political maneuvering. This theme is central to Israel's identity, rooted in their miraculous liberation from Egyptian bondage (e.g., [Deuteronomy 7:8](/deuteronomy/7-8 "Deuteronomy 7:8 - God's Love and Redemption")). Secondly, the verse underscores **God's Unrivaled Strength and Faithfulness**, contrasting the overwhelming power of the oppressor with the even greater, unfathomable power of Yahweh. This provides immense comfort and hope to the exiles, assuring them that no earthly power, however formidable, can ultimately thwart God's redemptive purposes for His chosen people. Finally, the verse is saturated with **Hope and Restoration**, serving as a prophetic promise that despite the current desolation and captivity, God remembers His covenant promises and will act decisively to bring His people back to their land and restore their fortunes, a recurring motif throughout the "Book of Comfort" and other prophetic books like [Isaiah 43](/isaiah/43 "Isaiah 43 - God's Deliverance of Israel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **redeemed (Hebrew, _pâdâh_):** This primitive root (H6299) signifies "to sever" or "to ransom," generally meaning to release or preserve. It often implies liberation through payment, rescue, or a strong act of intervention. In a legal or familial context, it refers to the act of buying back or reclaiming something or someone that was lost, sold, or enslaved. Here, it underscores God's active and decisive intervention to free Jacob (Israel) from bondage, emphasizing the cost and effort involved in their liberation.
* **ransomed (Hebrew, _gâʼal_):** This primitive root (H1350) means "to redeem according to the Oriental law of kinship." It specifically refers to the role of a "kinsman-redeemer" (goel), a close relative who had the responsibility to buy back a family member's property, marry his widow, or liberate a family member from slavery. This term highlights God's intimate, personal, and familial commitment to Israel, stepping in as their closest kin to reclaim them as His own, emphasizing His deep relational bond and obligation to His people.
* **stronger (Hebrew, _châzâq_):** Derived from a root meaning "to be strong," this word (H2389) often carries a negative connotation, implying hardness, boldness, or violence. It describes a formidable, overwhelming, or even oppressive power. In this context, it vividly portrays the immense, seemingly insurmountable might of the Babylonian Empire, which held Israel captive, making God's act of redemption all the more miraculous and demonstrating His absolute supremacy over all earthly powers.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob,"**: This opening clause unequivocally establishes the divine agent and the recipient of the redemptive act. "The LORD" (Yahweh, H3068) is the sovereign, covenant-keeping God, emphasizing His personal involvement and unwavering faithfulness to His promises. "Jacob" (H3290) represents the entire nation of Israel, God's chosen people, currently in exile and bondage. The use of the perfect tense "hath redeemed" (though prophetic in its future fulfillment) conveys the absolute certainty and accomplished nature of God's redemptive work, as if it has already occurred due to His unwavering purpose and power.
* **"and ransomed him"**: This phrase serves as a powerful reiteration and deepening of the concept of redemption, using the specific term "ransomed" (gâʼal, H1350), which evokes the imagery of a kinsman-redeemer. It emphasizes God's intimate relationship with Israel, acting not merely as a distant liberator but as a close family member who takes personal responsibility for their freedom and restoration, paying the necessary "price" (though not explicitly stated here, implied by the concept of ransom). This parallel phrasing reinforces the completeness, certainty, and deeply personal nature of the divine deliverance.
* **"from the hand of [him that was] stronger than he."**: This final clause precisely identifies the source of oppression and starkly highlights the vast disparity in power between Israel and its captor. "The hand" (yâd, H3027) is a common biblical idiom and **Metonymy** for power, authority, or control. "Him that was stronger than he" refers directly to the mighty Neo-Babylonian Empire, which had utterly subdued Judah and held it captive. This phrase underscores the human impossibility of escape and thus magnificently magnifies the miraculous nature of God's intervention, demonstrating that His power transcends and overcomes even the greatest earthly forces. The **Hyperbole** of "stronger than he" emphasizes the overwhelming nature of the foe, making God's redemptive act even more profound and glorious.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 31:11 employs several potent literary devices to convey its powerful message of divine liberation. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the phrases "redeemed Jacob" and "ransomed him" convey the same core idea of liberation. This repetition not only adds emphasis and poetic rhythm to the declaration but also reinforces the certainty and completeness of God's saving act. **Metonymy** is clearly evident in the phrase "from the hand of him that was stronger than he," where "hand" stands in for the power, control, and oppressive force of the enemy. This vivid imagery helps the audience visualize the enemy's crushing grip. Furthermore, there is a subtle but effective use of **Hyperbole** in "stronger than he," which, while literally true of Babylon's military might, also serves to underscore the seemingly insurmountable odds against Israel, thereby magnifying the greatness of God's redemptive power beyond human comprehension. The verse also functions as a **Prophetic Declaration**, stating a future event with the certainty of a past accomplishment, providing immense and undeniable hope to a despairing people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 31:11 is a profound theological statement on God's character as the ultimate Redeemer. It reveals a God who actively intervenes in human history to liberate His people from bondage, not because of their merit or strength, but because of His covenant faithfulness and sovereign power. The dual emphasis on "redeemed" and "ransomed" underscores both the general act of liberation and the specific, intimate role of a kinsman-redeemer (goel), portraying God as personally invested in the well-being and freedom of His "family," Israel. This divine act of overcoming a "stronger" foe prefigures God's ultimate victory over the powers of sin and death, which are far stronger than any human being. The verse assures believers that no power, no matter how formidable or oppressive, can ultimately thwart God's redemptive plan for those He has chosen and called His own.

* [Exodus 6:6](/exodus/6-6 "God's Promise to Redeem Israel from Bondage")
* [Psalm 130:7-8](/psalm/130-7-8 "Hope in the LORD's Abundant Redemption")
* [Isaiah 49:24-26](/isaiah/49-24-26 "The Captive Delivered by God's Might")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 31:11 offers profound spiritual encouragement for believers navigating their own struggles and challenges in life. Just as the LORD delivered Jacob from the overwhelming might of Babylon, He remains the same omnipotent God who is capable of delivering us from any spiritual bondage, emotional distress, or seemingly insurmountable circumstance that feels "stronger than we." This verse reminds us that our hope and ultimate deliverance are not found in our own strength, wisdom, or resources, but solely in God's mighty hand and His unwavering faithfulness to His promises. It calls us to trust in His sovereign power, even when our situation seems utterly hopeless, knowing that He has already accomplished the greatest redemption through Christ. We are invited to rest in the assurance that the God who redeemed Jacob will also redeem, sustain, and ultimately bring to completion His work in our lives, freeing us from the grip of anything that seeks to enslave us, whether it be fear, addiction, despair, or the schemes of the enemy. Our confidence is in His finished work and His ongoing power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "stronger" forces or circumstances in your life currently feel overwhelming, and how does Jeremiah 31:11 encourage you to view them in light of God's power?**
* **How does understanding God as both "redeemer" (liberator) and "ransomer" (kinsman-redeemer) deepen your appreciation for His intimate and personal relationship with you?**
* **In what specific ways can you actively trust in God's power for deliverance in your current situation, rather than relying on your own limited strength or strategies?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "Jacob" in this verse?**

Answer: "Jacob" here is a synecdoche, representing the entire nation of Israel, God's covenant people. It refers to the descendants of the patriarch Jacob, whose name was later changed to Israel after his wrestling with God, as recounted in [Genesis 32:28](/genesis/32-28 "Genesis 32:28 - Jacob Becomes Israel"). In the context of Jeremiah, it specifically refers to the exiles from both the northern kingdom (Israel) and the southern kingdom (Judah) who were taken captive by foreign powers, particularly Babylon. The use of "Jacob" emphasizes God's enduring covenant relationship with His chosen people, recalling their foundational history and His promises to their ancestor, as seen in [Genesis 28:13-15](/genesis/28-13-15 "Genesis 28:13-15 - God's Covenant Promise to Jacob").

**How does God "redeem" and "ransom" His people?**

Answer: God "redeems" and "ransoms" His people through various acts of divine intervention and liberation. In the Old Testament, this primarily referred to His powerful acts of delivering Israel from slavery (e.g., from Egypt in [Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover and Exodus")) and from foreign oppression (like the Babylonian exile described in Jeremiah). These acts demonstrate His sovereign power and His covenant faithfulness. The terms imply a cost or a strong intervention to reclaim what is His. The ultimate fulfillment of this redemption and ransom is found in the New Testament through the person and work of Jesus Christ, who paid the ultimate price for humanity's freedom from sin and death, as highlighted in [1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18-19 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redemption Through Christ's Precious Blood").

**Who is "him that was stronger than he" in this context?**

Answer: In the immediate historical context of Jeremiah's prophecy, "him that was stronger than he" refers to the Neo-Babylonian Empire. Babylon was the dominant world power at the time, having conquered Judah and taken its people into exile. Its military might and political influence were far superior to that of the small kingdom of Judah, making any human resistance or escape impossible. This phrase underscores the overwhelming nature of the enemy and, by contrast, magnificently highlights the extraordinary power and faithfulness of the LORD, who alone could deliver His people from such a formidable foe, as seen in the eventual fall of Babylon to the Persians, described in [Daniel 5](/daniel/5 "Daniel 5 - The Fall of Babylon and Belshazzar's Feast").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 31:11 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the immediate context speaks of Israel's physical deliverance from Babylonian captivity, the spiritual principle of God redeeming His people from a "stronger" foe points directly to Christ's decisive victory over sin, death, and the devil. Humanity, enslaved by sin and held captive by spiritual forces far "stronger than he" (cf. [Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Spiritual Warfare Against Cosmic Powers")), was utterly incapable of self-redemption or self-liberation. It was the LORD, in the person of Jesus Christ, who came as the ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer (the _goel_), paying the ultimate ransom with His own precious blood on the cross (cf. [1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18-19 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redemption Through Christ's Precious Blood")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ "redeemed" us from the curse of the law and "ransomed" us from the dominion of darkness, transferring us into the kingdom of His beloved Son (cf. [Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Redemption and Forgiveness of Sins")). Thus, the prophecy of Jeremiah 31:11 not only assured ancient Israel of physical liberation but also powerfully foreshadowed the spiritual and eternal liberation offered to all who believe in the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (cf. [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

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

Titus 2:14

Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Isaiah 44:23

Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done [it]: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.

Isaiah 48:20

Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter it [even] to the end of the earth; say ye, The LORD hath redeemed his servant Jacob.

Psalms 142:6

Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.

Jeremiah 15:21

And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible.

Isaiah 49:24

¶ Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered?

Matthew 12:29

Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.