Jeremiah 31:21

KJV

Set thee up waymarks, make thee high heaps: set thine heart toward the highway, [even] the way [which] thou wentest: turn again, O virgin of Israel, turn again to these thy cities.

KJV (with Strong's)

Set thee up {H5324} waymarks {H6725}, make {H7760} thee high heaps {H8564}: set {H7896} thine heart {H3820} toward the highway {H4546}, even the way {H1870} which thou wentest {H1980}: turn again {H7725}, O virgin {H1330} of Israel {H3478}, turn again {H7725} to these thy cities {H5892}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Set up road signs, erect guideposts, pay attention to the highway, the path on which you traveled. Come back, virgin Isra'el, come back to these cities of yours!

Berean Standard Bible

“Set up the roadmarks, establish the signposts. Keep the highway in mind, the road you have traveled. Return, O Virgin Israel, return to these cities of yours.

American Standard Version

Set thee up waymarks, make thee guide-posts; set thy heart toward the highway, even the way by which thou wentest: turn again, O virgin of Israel, turn again to these thy cities.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 31:21 is a tender and urgent divine appeal to the exiled "virgin of Israel," calling her to prepare for an imminent and certain return to her homeland. Through the imagery of setting up waymarks and high heaps, and by directing her heart toward the familiar path of her departure, God instructs His people to actively anticipate and remember the route of their restoration. This verse encapsulates the Lord's unwavering faithfulness and His deep desire for His covenant people to return, both physically to their cities and spiritually to Him, as part of His grand plan for their future comfort and renewal.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 31:21 stands within the "Book of Consolation" (Jeremiah 30-33), a pivotal section of Jeremiah's prophecy that shifts from pronouncements of judgment and exile to glorious promises of restoration for both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. This particular chapter, [Jeremiah 31](/jeremiah/31 "Jeremiah 31 - The New Covenant and Restoration"), focuses intensely on the restoration of Israel (the northern kingdom, often personified as Ephraim), emphasizing God's enduring love and His intention to bring them back from captivity. Verse 21 acts as a direct instruction, a preparatory command for this return, immediately preceding the profound declaration of the [New Covenant](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31 - The New Covenant") in the subsequent verses, highlighting that the physical return is a precursor to a deeper spiritual renewal.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Jeremiah was delivered during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, leading up to and including the Babylonian exile (circa 605-586 BCE). The northern kingdom of Israel had already fallen to Assyria in 722 BCE, and its people were scattered. This verse, addressed to "the virgin of Israel," specifically targets the descendants of the northern tribes, promising their return alongside Judah. In ancient Near Eastern travel, "waymarks" (cairns, pillars) and "high heaps" (raised mounds) were crucial navigational aids in often-desolate or unmarked territories. Travelers would set these up to remember their path or to guide future journeys. The imagery here evokes a literal preparation for a journey home, but also carries the cultural weight of remembering one's origins and the path that led to their current state, whether of exile or wandering.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Jeremiah. **Restoration and Return** is paramount, underscoring God's commitment to regather His scattered people, fulfilling His covenant promises despite their unfaithfulness. It emphasizes that exile is not the end, but a disciplinary period leading to divine intervention and homecoming. The repeated imperative "turn again" highlights the theme of **Repentance and Redirection**, signaling a call for Israel to reverse their course, both geographically and spiritually, back to God and their land, echoing similar calls throughout the prophets, such as in [Hosea 14:1-2](/hosea/14-1 "Hosea 14:1-2 - Call to Repentance"). Furthermore, the instruction to set up waymarks speaks to **Divine Guidance and Memory**, suggesting that Israel must actively remember the path they took into exile and the path God is now providing for their return. This theme is intertwined with **Hope in God's Faithfulness**, providing assurance that God's love for His people is steadfast, even in their darkest hour, promising a future of renewal and prosperity as seen in [Jeremiah 29:11](/jeremiah/29-11 "Jeremiah 29:11 - God's Plans for Hope and a Future").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **virgin (Hebrew, _bᵉthûwlâh'_):** This term, specifically "O virgin of Israel," is a tender and poignant address. While literally meaning a young, unmarried woman, it is often used figuratively in prophetic literature to describe a nation, emphasizing its purity, vulnerability, or its original, uncorrupted state before apostasy. Here, it highlights God's enduring affection for Israel, viewing her as His beloved, despite her unfaithfulness, and longing for her restoration to a state of purity and covenant faithfulness.
* **waymarks (Hebrew, _tsîyûwn'_):** Derived from a root meaning "conspicuousness," a _tsîyûwn_ is a monumental or guiding pillar, a signpost. In this context, it refers to visible markers or cairns set up along a path to indicate direction or a significant location. The command to "set thee up waymarks" is a practical instruction for navigation, but also carries the symbolic weight of remembering the path, both literally back to their cities and figuratively, the spiritual path from which they deviated.
* **turn again (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** This primitive root is repeated twice for emphasis and is central to the verse's meaning. It signifies to turn back, return, or retreat, often with the adverbial sense of "again." In a spiritual context, it is the foundational word for repentance, indicating a change of direction from sin or wandering back to God. Here, it encompasses both the physical return from exile to their cities and the spiritual turning back to the Lord, essential for true restoration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Set thee up waymarks, make thee high heaps":** This clause gives practical instructions for preparing for a journey. "Waymarks" (צִיּוּן, _tsiyyun_) were signposts or pillars, and "high heaps" (תַּמְרוּרִים, _tamrurim_) were elevated markers, possibly cairns or mounds. These were crucial for navigating through unmarked or forgotten terrain. Symbolically, Israel is commanded to remember the path of their exile and to actively anticipate and prepare for their return, ensuring they know the way back to their homeland. It implies a divine certainty of return that warrants such preparation.
* **"set thine heart toward the highway, [even] the way [which] thou wentest":** This phrase deepens the instruction from physical preparation to mental and emotional readiness. "Set thine heart" implies intentional focus, determination, and memory. The "highway" (מְסִלָּה, _mesillah_) refers to a well-trodden path or thoroughfare, emphasizing a clear, designated route. The instruction to remember "the way which thou wentest" is poignant; it is the very path of their departure into exile. This suggests that the path of return will be familiar, perhaps even the same route, reinforcing the idea of a reversal of their fortunes and a return to their origins.
* **"turn again, O virgin of Israel, turn again to these thy cities.":** The repeated imperative "turn again" (שׁוּב, _shuv_) is a powerful call to return, both physically and spiritually. "O virgin of Israel" is a tender, affectionate address, personifying the nation as a beloved, though perhaps straying, maiden. It emphasizes God's enduring love and His desire for her purity and restoration. The final command to "turn again to these thy cities" concretizes the promise, specifying the physical destination of their return, reinforcing the certainty of their re-establishment in the land.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 31:21 is rich with **Imagery** and **Symbolism**. The "waymarks" and "high heaps" are vivid images of physical markers used for navigation, symbolizing the concrete preparation for the return from exile and the divine guidance provided for this journey. The "highway" further reinforces the idea of a clear, divinely ordained path back. The **Personification** of Israel as "O virgin of Israel" is a tender and deeply significant literary device. It conveys God's enduring affection and covenant relationship with His people, even in their fallen state, emphasizing His desire for their purity and restoration. The **Repetition** of "turn again" (שׁוּב, _shuv_) serves as an emphatic command, underscoring the urgency and importance of this return, which encompasses both a physical homecoming and a spiritual repentance. This rhetorical device ensures the central message of restoration and redirection resonates powerfully with the audience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 31:21 stands as a profound testament to God's unwavering covenant faithfulness and His redemptive character. Despite Israel's persistent rebellion and subsequent exile, God's love remains steadfast, driving His initiative to restore His people. This verse beautifully illustrates the divine call to repentance ("turn again") as a prerequisite for true restoration, emphasizing that God's ultimate plan is always for the good and flourishing of His people. It highlights that God provides the means (the "waymarks" and "highway") and the motivation (His tender call to "virgin of Israel") for their return, demonstrating His active involvement in their redemption. The physical return from exile foreshadows a deeper spiritual return to God's presence and His ways, a theme that resonates throughout biblical history.

* [Isaiah 35:8](/isaiah/35-8 "Isaiah 35:8 - The Highway of Holiness")
* [Ezekiel 36:24-28](/ekiel/36-24 "Ezekiel 36:24-28 - Restoration and New Heart")
* [Hosea 14:4-7](/hosea/14-4 "Hosea 14:4-7 - God's Healing and Love")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 31:21 offers timeless principles for believers navigating their own spiritual journeys. Just as ancient Israel was called to physically prepare for their return, we are often called to a spiritual "turning again" from wandering, apathy, or sin back to the Lord. This involves a conscious act of repentance, a reorientation of our hearts and lives towards God's revealed will. The "waymarks" and "high heaps" can be understood as the spiritual disciplines, foundational truths of Scripture, and the testimonies of God's faithfulness in our past that guide us back to His intended path. We are encouraged to "set our heart toward the highway" – to intentionally focus on and remember the paths of righteousness and obedience laid out in God's Word. This verse instills profound hope, reminding us that even in seasons of spiritual wandering or hardship, God's promises of restoration and renewal are steadfast. We should actively anticipate and prepare for His redemptive work in our lives, trusting that He is always calling us back to Himself and His purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "waymarks" or spiritual reminders has God placed in your life (e.g., Scripture, community, past experiences) that can guide you back to His path when you wander?**
* **In what areas of your life might God be calling you to "turn again" – to repent, re-evaluate, or return to a path of greater obedience or intimacy with Him?**
* **How does remembering God's faithfulness in past seasons of your life strengthen your hope and resolve to follow Him today?**

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

Answer: The address "virgin of Israel" (Hebrew: _bᵉthûwlâh_) is a tender and affectionate personification of the nation. It signifies God's enduring covenant love for Israel, viewing her as His beloved, even though she has strayed into unfaithfulness and exile. It emphasizes her original pure state and God's desire to restore her to that purity and to a right relationship with Him. It highlights God's compassion and unwavering commitment to His people, despite their spiritual adultery, as seen in other prophetic passages like [Isaiah 62:5](/isaiah/62-5 "Isaiah 62:5 - God's Delight in His People").

**How does this verse relate to the concept of repentance?**

Answer: The repeated phrase "turn again" (Hebrew: _shûwb_) is a foundational word in the Old Testament for repentance. While it literally means to turn back or return, it carries the profound spiritual meaning of turning away from sin and back to God. In Jeremiah 31:21, it signifies both the physical return of the exiles to their homeland and, more deeply, a spiritual reorientation of their hearts back to God. This call to repentance is essential for experiencing God's promised restoration, as it is throughout the prophets, such as in [Joel 2:12-13](/joel/2-12 "Joel 2:12-13 - Return to the Lord with All Your Heart").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 31:21, with its poignant call for Israel to "turn again" and prepare for return, finds its ultimate and deepest fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the immediate context speaks to the physical return from Babylonian exile, the underlying spiritual principle of returning to God is perfectly embodied in Christ. Humanity, like the "virgin of Israel," has wandered far from God through sin, creating a spiritual exile. Jesus, the true "highway" and "waymark" (as He declares in [John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), is the only path by which we can truly "turn again" to the Father. He is the ultimate "high heap," a visible signpost, through His crucifixion and resurrection, pointing the way back to reconciliation and eternal life. His atoning sacrifice removes the barrier of sin, making possible the spiritual return to God's presence, a return far more profound than any physical homecoming. Through faith in Him, we are gathered into the new covenant community, becoming part of the spiritual Israel, and are enabled by the Holy Spirit to set our hearts toward the true "highway" of holiness and obedience, walking in the "newness of life" that He provides ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Newness of Life in Christ")). Thus, the longing for return expressed in Jeremiah is fully satisfied in the person and work of Christ, who brings us home to 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

Jeremiah 50:5

They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, [saying], Come, and let us join ourselves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant [that] shall not be forgotten.

Isaiah 62:10

¶ Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people.

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.

Jeremiah 51:50

Ye that have escaped the sword, go away, stand not still: remember the LORD afar off, and let Jerusalem come into your mind.

Jeremiah 3:14

Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:

Zechariah 2:6

¶ Ho, ho, [come forth], and flee from the land of the north, saith the LORD: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the LORD.

Zechariah 2:7

Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest [with] the daughter of Babylon.