Jeremiah 31:32

Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day [that] I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:

Not according to the covenant {H1285} that I made {H3772} with their fathers {H1} in the day {H3117} that I took {H2388} them by the hand {H3027} to bring them out {H3318} of the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}; which my covenant {H1285} they brake {H6565}, although I was an husband {H1166} unto them, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}:

It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers on the day I took them by their hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt; because they, for their part, violated my covenant, even though I, for my part, was a husband to them," says ADONAI.

It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt— a covenant they broke, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD.

not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was a husband unto them, saith Jehovah.

Jeremiah 31:32 serves as a pivotal verse in the prophecy of the New Covenant, setting the stage by contrasting it with the Old Covenant. It highlights the fundamental difference between God's past dealings with Israel and His future, more profound relationship.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jeremiah 31:31, where the Lord first declares His intention to make a "new covenant." Verse 32 then clarifies that this new agreement will not be like the previous one. The "covenant that I made with their fathers" refers specifically to the Mosaic Covenant, which God established at Mount Sinai after He miraculously brought the Israelites out of the land of Egypt. This prophecy was given during a time of national decline and impending Babylonian captivity, offering a message of hope and future restoration for Judah.

Key Themes

  • The Old Covenant's Failure: The verse explicitly states, "which my covenant they brake." This underscores the inherent weakness of the Old Covenant, which relied on human obedience to the Law. Despite God's gracious deliverance and clear instructions, the people of Israel repeatedly failed to keep their part of the covenant, demonstrating humanity's inability to perfectly adhere to God's standards through their own strength.
  • God's Enduring Faithfulness and Intimacy: Even though Israel broke the covenant, the Lord declares, "although I was an husband unto them." This powerful and tender metaphor portrays God's deep, committed, and protective relationship with His people. Like a faithful spouse, God remained devoted despite Israel's spiritual adultery and unfaithfulness, a theme powerfully explored in the book of Hosea. It highlights God's unwavering love and patience.
  • Anticipation of a Superior Covenant: By contrasting the new with the old, Jeremiah 31:32 sets the stage for a covenant that would not be dependent on human performance but on God's sovereign grace and an internal transformation of the heart, as further detailed in Jeremiah 31:33.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew word for "husband" used here is ba'al (בעל). While it can also mean "lord" or "owner," in the context of marriage, it signifies a deep, committed, and responsible bond. It emphasizes God's rightful claim over Israel, coupled with His loving provision and care, which Israel tragically spurned through their disobedience and idolatry.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a profound reminder that human effort and adherence to laws alone cannot secure a perfect relationship with God. It beautifully foreshadows the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ, where righteousness is imputed by grace through faith, not by perfect keeping of the Law. God's faithfulness, like that of a devoted "husband," remains constant, offering redemption and restoration even when we fail. It encourages believers today to rely on His unmerited grace and the transformative power of the Spirit, rather than their own flawed strength, for their standing before Him.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Exodus 19:5

    Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth [is] mine:

  • Deuteronomy 1:31

    And in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that the LORD thy God bare thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came into this place.

  • Deuteronomy 5:3

    The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, [even] us, who [are] all of us here alive this day.

  • Exodus 24:6

    And Moses took half of the blood, and put [it] in basons; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar.

  • Exodus 24:8

    And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled [it] on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.

  • Ezekiel 16:8

    Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time [was] the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine.

  • John 3:29

    He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
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