Jeremiah 31:31

KJV

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold, the days {H3117} come {H935}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}, that I will make {H3772} a new {H2319} covenant {H1285} with the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478}, and with the house {H1004} of Judah {H3063}:

Complete Jewish Bible

"Here, the days are coming," says ADONAI, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Isra'el and with the house of Y'hudah.

Berean Standard Bible

Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.

American Standard Version

Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 31:31 is a foundational prophetic declaration, unveiling God's sovereign intention to establish a "new covenant" with the entirety of His people—both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. This divine promise signals a profound shift from the external stipulations of the Mosaic Law to an internal, spiritual transformation, offering a future of restoration, intimate relationship, and complete forgiveness, thereby laying the groundwork for the ultimate redemptive work of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 31 stands as the theological and emotional apex of the "Book of Consolation" (Jeremiah 30-33). Following chapters replete with pronouncements of judgment against Judah for their persistent idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness, this section pivots dramatically to themes of restoration, hope, and future blessing. Verses immediately preceding Jeremiah 31:31 speak of God gathering His scattered people from the north country and the ends of the earth, leading them back to their land with weeping and supplication, and promising to plant them securely. This vision of return and renewal sets the stage for the declaration of a new covenant, which is the spiritual bedrock for this physical restoration. The verses immediately following (Jeremiah 31:32-34) elaborate on the nature of this new covenant, emphasizing its internal inscription on the heart, universal knowledge of God, and complete forgiveness of sins, distinguishing it sharply from the old covenant that Israel had broken.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah ministered during the tumultuous final decades of the Kingdom of Judah, witnessing its decline, the Babylonian invasions, and the eventual exile of its people (627-586 BC). This was a period of national catastrophe, marked by the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, and the forced deportation of its inhabitants. The people of Judah had repeatedly violated the Mosaic Covenant, leading to God's promised judgment (cf. [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")). Culturally, covenants were well-understood in the ancient Near East as binding agreements, often ratified by solemn oaths and rituals. However, the Mosaic Covenant, while divinely initiated, relied on human obedience for its blessings. The historical reality of Israel's failure highlighted the need for a different kind of divine-human relationship. Jeremiah 31:31 addresses not only the exiled Judah but also the "house of Israel," referring to the northern kingdom, which had been scattered by Assyria centuries earlier (722 BC), underscoring God's comprehensive plan for all His people.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 31:31 introduces and reinforces several profound theological themes central to the book and biblical theology as a whole. The most prominent is the theme of the **New Covenant**, which signifies a qualitative shift in God's redemptive strategy, moving beyond external law to internal transformation. This declaration underscores God's **Unwavering Faithfulness** despite human infidelity, demonstrating His commitment to His covenant promises even when His people fail. It speaks powerfully to **Restoration and Hope**, offering a vision of future reconciliation and spiritual renewal for a nation facing utter despair and dispersion. The inclusion of both "the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah" highlights the theme of **Reunification and Inclusivity**, envisioning a future where the historical division between the two kingdoms is overcome, and all of God's chosen people are brought together under one divine agreement. This verse also implicitly touches on the theme of **Divine Initiative and Grace**, as God declares, "I will make a new covenant," emphasizing that this profound change is entirely His sovereign work, not a result of human merit or effort, a concept echoed in [Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - A New Heart and Spirit").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **days (Hebrew, _yôwm'_):** From an unused root meaning "to be hot," this word refers to a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term). In Jeremiah 31:31, "the days come" signifies a specific, appointed future period, emphasizing the certainty and divine timing of this prophetic fulfillment. It points to a significant epoch in redemptive history.
* **new (Hebrew, _châdâsh'_):** Derived from the root "to renew or repair," this adjective means "new," "fresh," or "renewed." It implies not merely a renovation or repair of something old, but a fundamental qualitative difference, a fresh beginning. When applied to the covenant, it indicates a distinct and superior agreement, not just a modification of the Mosaic Covenant, but something fundamentally different in its nature and operation.
* **covenant (Hebrew, _bᵉrîyth'_):** From a root meaning "to cut" (referencing the ancient practice of cutting animals in two and parties passing between the pieces to ratify an agreement), this term denotes a solemn, binding compact, alliance, or league. In a theological context, it describes a divinely initiated relationship between God and humanity, characterized by promises, stipulations, and consequences. The "new covenant" here is presented as God's ultimate and unbreakable agreement, superior to previous covenants.
* **house (Hebrew, _bayith'_):** Probably from a root meaning "to build," this word primarily means "house" but extends to a wide variation of applications, including family, household, and even a dynasty or nation. In the phrase "house of Israel" and "house of Judah," it refers to the entire collective body of descendants, representing the northern and southern kingdoms respectively, signifying God's comprehensive redemptive plan for His entire chosen people, transcending their historical division.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold, the days come,"**: This opening phrase serves as a prophetic announcement, drawing immediate attention to the gravity and certainty of what is about to be revealed. "Behold" (הִנֵּה, _hinnēh_) is an interjection used to introduce something new, important, or surprising, signaling a significant divine disclosure. The "days come" indicates a future, divinely appointed time when this prophecy will be fulfilled, emphasizing its inevitability and God's sovereign control over history.
* **"saith the LORD,"**: This phrase functions as a divine oracle formula, authenticating the prophecy as a direct word from Yahweh (יהוה, _Yᵉhôvâh_), the self-existent, covenant-keeping God of Israel. It underscores the divine origin and authority of the message, distinguishing it from human speculation or desire. This declaration is not a suggestion or a hope, but a firm, authoritative statement of God's intent.
* **"that I will make a new covenant"**: This is the core declaration of the verse. "I will make" (כָּרַתִּי, _kārath'tî_), literally "I will cut," alludes to the ancient practice of cutting an animal in two to ratify a covenant, symbolizing the solemnity and binding nature of the agreement, often with an implied curse on the party who breaks it. The "new covenant" (בְּרִית חֲדָשָׁה, _bᵉrîyth châdâshâh_) signifies a fundamental departure from previous covenants, particularly the Mosaic Covenant. It implies a qualitatively superior agreement, not merely a renewed version of the old, but one with new characteristics and provisions.
* **"with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:"**: This specifies the recipients of the new covenant. "The house of Israel" refers to the northern kingdom, which had been exiled by Assyria centuries earlier. "The house of Judah" refers to the southern kingdom, which was facing or undergoing Babylonian exile during Jeremiah's ministry. By naming both, God emphasizes that this new covenant is for the entire, reunited people of God, transcending their historical division and encompassing all who belong to His chosen nation. It signifies a holistic and comprehensive restoration.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 31:31 is rich in literary devices that amplify its profound message. The most prominent is **Prophecy**, as the verse explicitly foretells a future event ("the days come") initiated by God, revealing His sovereign plan for His people. The phrase "saith the LORD" functions as a **Divine Oracle Formula**, lending absolute authority and divine origin to the declaration, emphasizing that this is not Jeremiah's idea but God's direct word. The concept of a "new covenant" itself employs **Contrast** and **Antithesis** when understood in light of the preceding Mosaic Covenant, highlighting the qualitative difference and superiority of the promised agreement. The repetition of "house of Israel, and with the house of Judah" is a form of **Merism**, where two opposing or distinct parts are named to represent the whole, signifying the comprehensive and unified scope of God's redemptive work for all His scattered people. Finally, the entire passage is an example of **Foreshadowing**, pointing forward to a greater spiritual reality and a more perfect covenant that would ultimately be established.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 31:31 stands as a pivotal theological declaration, marking a profound shift in God's redemptive plan. It reveals God's unwavering commitment to His people, not based on their performance under the Law, but on His sovereign grace and faithfulness. The "new covenant" signifies a transformation from an external, conditional agreement (like the Mosaic Covenant, which Israel repeatedly broke) to an internal, unconditional, and Spirit-empowered relationship. This new covenant promises not merely forgiveness of sins, but a radical internal renewal where God's law is written on the heart, fostering an intimate and universal knowledge of God, and ensuring a perpetual relationship. It underscores God's initiative in salvation and His ultimate desire for a people who truly know and obey Him from the inside out, providing the theological framework for understanding the transition from the Old Testament era to the New.

* [Jeremiah 31:33-34](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33-34 - Provisions of the New Covenant")
* [Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - A New Heart and Spirit")
* [Hebrews 8:8-12](/hebrews/8-8 "Hebrews 8:8-12 - The Superiority of the New Covenant")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 31:31 offers profound comfort and assurance to believers today, reminding us that God's faithfulness far surpasses our own shortcomings. In a world where commitments are often broken and relationships falter, this verse highlights God's steadfast resolve to establish an unbreakable bond with His people. It shifts our focus from striving to earn God's favor through perfect obedience to an external law, to resting in His gracious initiative to transform us from within. This internal transformation, promised by the new covenant, means that our relationship with God is not based on our performance, but on His perfect work and the indwelling Spirit who empowers us to live in alignment with His will. It encourages us to embrace the freedom and intimacy offered by this new relationship, knowing that our sins are truly forgiven and that God Himself is our teacher and guide.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of a "new covenant" challenge or affirm your understanding of God's relationship with humanity?**
* **In what ways do you experience the "law written on your heart" in your daily walk with God, as promised by the new covenant?**
* **How does the divine initiative ("I will make") in establishing this covenant impact your sense of security and hope in your faith?**

### FAQ
**What is the "old covenant" that the new covenant replaces or fulfills?**

Answer: The "old covenant" primarily refers to the Mosaic Covenant, established by God with Israel at Mount Sinai (recorded in [Exodus 19-24](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19-24 - The Giving of the Law at Sinai")). This covenant was characterized by a detailed set of laws, commandments, and rituals (the Torah) that governed Israel's life and worship. While it revealed God's holiness and provided a way for Israel to relate to Him, it was conditional upon Israel's obedience and was ultimately broken by their repeated unfaithfulness, as highlighted throughout the Old Testament prophetic books, including Jeremiah. The new covenant, therefore, does not negate God's previous promises but fulfills and perfects them by addressing the fundamental problem of human inability to perfectly keep the law.

**Why was a "new" covenant necessary if God is unchanging?**

Answer: A "new" covenant was necessary not because God changed, but because humanity's heart proved incapable of consistently upholding the terms of the old covenant. The problem was not with the Law itself, which is holy and good (as stated in [Romans 7:12](/romans/7-12 "Romans 7:12 - The Law is Holy")), but with the sinful nature of humanity. The old covenant exposed sin and demonstrated humanity's need for a deeper, internal transformation. The new covenant, therefore, is God's perfect solution to human failure, providing an internal inscription of His law on the heart and complete forgiveness of sins, enabling a true and lasting relationship with Him. It reveals the progressive nature of God's redemptive plan, moving towards its ultimate and perfect fulfillment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 31:31 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The author of [Hebrews extensively quotes Jeremiah 31:31-34 in Hebrews 8:8-12](/hebrews/8-8 "Hebrews 8:8-12 - The Superiority of the New Covenant"), explicitly identifying Jesus as the Mediator of this superior new covenant. At the Last Supper, Jesus Himself inaugurated this covenant with His disciples, declaring, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is shed for you" ([Luke 22:20](/luke/22-20 "Luke 22:20 - Jesus Institutes the New Covenant")). His sacrificial death on the cross served as the perfect, once-for-all atonement for sin, providing the blood that ratifies this new agreement, unlike the animal sacrifices of the old covenant (cf. [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Through Christ, the law is no longer merely an external code but is written on the hearts of believers by the indwelling Holy Spirit (cf. [2 Corinthians 3:3](/2_corinthians/3-3 "2 Corinthians 3:3 - Letters on Hearts")), enabling true obedience and an intimate knowledge of God. Jesus, as the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), perfectly fulfills the promise of complete forgiveness of sins, establishing a relationship with God based on grace and faith, rather than human merit. Thus, the "days come" prophesied by Jeremiah culminated in Christ's finished work, bringing about the spiritual reality of the new covenant for all who believe, uniting both Jew and Gentile into one new humanity in Him (cf. [Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")).

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

Hebrews 10:16

This [is] the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

Hebrews 10:17

And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

Ezekiel 37:26

Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.

Jeremiah 32:40

And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.

Jeremiah 31:31

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

Jeremiah 31:34

And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

2 Corinthians 3:6

¶ Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.