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Jeremiah 31:33

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But this [shall be] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

But this shall be the covenant {H1285} that I will make {H3772} with the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478}; After {H310} those days {H3117}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}, I will put {H5414} my law {H8451} in their inward parts {H7130}, and write {H3789} it in their hearts {H3820}; and will be their God {H430}, and they shall be my people {H5971}.

"For this is the covenant I will make with the house of Isra'el after those days," says ADONAI: "I will put my Torah within them and write it on their hearts; I will be their God, and they will be my people.

“But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people.

But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith Jehovah: I will put my law in their inward parts, and in their heart will I write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Commentary

Context

Jeremiah 31 is part of the "Book of Consolation" (chapters 30-33), a section of the prophet Jeremiah's writings that shifts from pronouncements of judgment to powerful messages of hope and restoration for Israel and Judah. Written during a period of national decline and impending exile to Babylon, this chapter looks beyond the immediate future of captivity to a distant, more profound spiritual renewal. Verses 31-34 specifically introduce the groundbreaking concept of a "new covenant," distinct from the Mosaic covenant that Israel had repeatedly failed to uphold.

Key Themes

  • The New Covenant: This verse is a cornerstone for understanding the concept of the New Covenant, a central theme in Christian theology. It signifies a radical departure from the previous covenant, promising a deeper and more effective relationship with God.
  • Internalized Law: The promise, "I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts," highlights a transformative shift. Unlike the Old Covenant written on stone tablets, this new arrangement involves an internal, Spirit-empowered desire and ability to obey God's will. It speaks to a heart change that naturally inclines one toward righteousness, rather than external compulsion (compare Ezekiel 36:26-27).
  • Restored and Deepened Relationship: The declaration, "and will be their God, and they shall be my people," reaffirms the ultimate goal of the covenant – a secure, intimate, and exclusive relationship between God and His people. This covenantal formula is a hallmark of God's desire for fellowship with humanity.

Linguistic Insights

The use of "inward parts" (Hebrew: qereb) and "hearts" (Hebrew: lev) in conjunction emphasizes the comprehensive nature of this internal transformation. Qereb often refers to the very core or midst of a being, while lev encompasses not only emotions but also intellect, will, and conscience. The act of God "writing" His law implies a permanent, inherent change in one's motivations and desires, moving beyond mere intellectual understanding to a profound, intrinsic alignment with God's character and commands.

Related Scriptures

This pivotal prophecy in Jeremiah is directly quoted and elaborated upon in the New Testament, particularly in the book of Hebrews, to explain the superiority and fulfillment of the New Covenant through Jesus Christ.
  • Hebrews 8:10: This verse directly quotes Jeremiah 31:33-34, applying it to the new covenant established through Christ's sacrifice.
  • Hebrews 10:16: Reiterates the same promise, emphasizing the permanence and effectiveness of the new covenant, which brings forgiveness of sins.
  • 2 Corinthians 3:3: Paul echoes this concept when he speaks of believers as "epistles of Christ... written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart."

Practical Application

Jeremiah 31:33 provides profound insight into God's redemptive plan and offers great hope for believers today.
  • Internal Transformation: This verse underscores that true righteousness and spiritual life come from an internal work of God's Spirit, not from external rules or human effort. It calls believers to seek a heart transformed by God that genuinely desires to please Him.
  • Assurance of Relationship: The promise, "I will be their God, and they shall be my people," serves as a powerful assurance of God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people. It speaks to the security, intimacy, and belonging available through faith in Christ Jesus.
  • Foundation of the Gospel: This prophecy is fundamental to the New Testament understanding of salvation, emphasizing God's grace, the indwelling work of the Holy Spirit, and the personal relationship with God made possible through Jesus Christ, who is the mediator of this new and better covenant.
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 (May 20, 2025) 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

  • 2 Corinthians 3:3 (99 votes)

    [Forasmuch as ye are] manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

  • Hebrews 10:16 (94 votes)

    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 8:10 (81 votes)

    For this [is] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

  • Ezekiel 11:19 (76 votes)

    And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:

  • Ezekiel 11:20 (76 votes)

    That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

  • Jeremiah 24:7 (71 votes)

    And I will give them an heart to know me, that I [am] the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.

  • Ezekiel 36:25 (56 votes)

    ¶ Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.