Jeremiah 31:21

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.

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}.

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!

“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.

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

Jeremiah 31:21 is a poignant call from God to His people, Israel, urging them to prepare for their return from exile. This verse is part of a larger section in Jeremiah (chapters 30-33) often referred to as the "Book of Consolation" or "Book of Comfort," which shifts focus from prophecies of judgment to promises of future restoration and hope for both Israel and Judah.

Context

Following years of unfaithfulness and eventual judgment leading to the Babylonian captivity, God, through the prophet Jeremiah, delivers a message of redemption. Jeremiah 31 specifically details God's unwavering love for Israel and His intent to gather them back to their land. Verse 21 serves as a direct instruction to the exiled people, metaphorically asking them to set up markers to guide their way back home, emphasizing that the return is certain and desired by God. This prophetic call for return precedes the profound promise of a new covenant with the house of Israel and Judah.

Key Themes

  • Restoration and Return: The primary message is God's plan to bring His scattered people back to their homeland and cities. It underscores His faithfulness to His covenant promises despite their rebellion.
  • Repentance and Redirection: The repeated phrase "turn again" (Hebrew: שׁוּב, shuv), signifies a call to repentance—a change of direction, both physically back to their land and spiritually back to God. It implies a conscious decision to revert from their wayward path. The phrase 'turn again' is a powerful call to repentance and spiritual redirection.
  • Divine Guidance and Memory: "Set thee up waymarks, make thee high heaps" refers to creating visible guideposts. In ancient times, these were literal cairns or piles of stones used by travelers to mark a path, especially in desolate or unfamiliar territory. Here, they symbolize remembering the path of their former dwelling and the way God intended for them.
  • Hope in God's Faithfulness: Despite the despair of exile, this verse offers a glimmer of hope, assuring Israel that their suffering is not the end but a prelude to divine restoration.

Linguistic Insights

The terms "waymarks" (צִיּוֹנִים, tsiyyonim) and "high heaps" (תַּמְרוּרִים, tamrurim) both refer to visible markers or signposts. They are practical instructions for a journey, but here they carry a deeper symbolic meaning: Israel is to actively prepare for and anticipate their return, ensuring they know the way back to God's intended path and their ancestral land. The tender address "O virgin of Israel" portrays Israel as a beloved, though straying, maiden, emphasizing God's enduring affection and His desire for her purity and return.

Practical Application

For believers today, Jeremiah 31:21 offers timeless principles:

  • Spiritual Return: Just as ancient Israel was called to return physically, believers are often called to a spiritual "turning again" from wandering or sin back to God. This involves repentance and a renewed commitment to follow His ways.
  • Remembering God's Path: We are encouraged to "set our heart toward the highway," meaning to intentionally focus on and remember the paths of righteousness and obedience that God has laid out for us in His Word. These "waymarks" can be spiritual disciplines, foundational truths, or past experiences of God's faithfulness.
  • Anticipating God's Promises: The verse instills hope, reminding us that even in times 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.

This verse beautifully encapsulates God's relentless pursuit of His people, His desire for their repentance, and His ultimate plan for their glorious restoration.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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.
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