Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon [my] thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth.
Surely after {H310} that I was turned {H7725}, I repented {H5162}; and after {H310} that I was instructed {H3045}, I smote {H5606} upon my thigh {H3409}: I was ashamed {H954}, yea, even confounded {H3637}, because I did bear {H5375} the reproach {H2781} of my youth {H5271}.
Yes, I turned away; but later I repented. When I had been made to understand, I struck my thigh in shame and remorse, bearing the weight of the disgrace acquired when I was young.'
After I returned, I repented; and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh in grief. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’
Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth.
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Jeremiah 3:25
We lie down in our shame, and our confusion covereth us: for we have sinned against the LORD our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even unto this day, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God. -
Ezekiel 36:31
Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that [were] not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. -
Ezekiel 21:12
Cry and howl, son of man: for it shall be upon my people, it [shall be] upon all the princes of Israel: terrors by reason of the sword shall be upon my people: smite therefore upon [thy] thigh. -
Luke 18:13
And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as [his] eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. -
Deuteronomy 30:2
And shalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul; -
Ezra 9:6
And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over [our] head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens. -
Leviticus 26:41
And [that] I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity:
Context of Jeremiah 31:19
Jeremiah 31 is a pivotal chapter in the book of Jeremiah, offering a profound message of hope and future restoration for Israel and Judah after periods of judgment and exile. While much of Jeremiah's prophecy deals with impending destruction due to the nations' sin, this chapter shifts to the promise of a glorious return and renewal. Specifically, verses 18-20 depict the lament and repentance of Ephraim, representing the Northern Kingdom of Israel, who had long been separated from Judah and scattered. This verse, Jeremiah 31:19, is Ephraim's heartfelt confession, expressing deep sorrow and contrition for past rebellion. It sets the stage for God's compassionate response and the subsequent promise of the new covenant later in the chapter.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew term for "turned" (shuv) can mean both to turn back (repent) and to be turned (by God). Here, the passive voice implies God's active role in initiating the turning of Ephraim's heart, leading to their repentance. The phrase "smote upon my thigh" is a vivid expression of intense grief and regret, found in other biblical contexts as well, signifying extreme distress and self-reproach (e.g., Ezekiel 21:12). The "reproach of my youth" (cherpath ne'urai) highlights the persistent pattern of sin that marked Israel's formative years, a heavy burden of collective guilt that is now fully recognized.
Practical Application
Jeremiah 31:19 serves as a timeless example of true repentance and its pathway to restoration. It teaches us several vital lessons for personal and communal spiritual life: