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.

And they shall teach {H3925} no more every man {H376} his neighbour {H7453}, and every man {H376} his brother {H251}, saying {H559}, Know {H3045} the LORD {H3068}: for they shall all know {H3045} me, from the least {H6996} of them unto the greatest {H1419} of them, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}: for I will forgive {H5545} their iniquity {H5771}, and I will remember {H2142} their sin {H2403} no more.

No longer will any of them teach his fellow community member or his brother, 'Know ADONAI'; for all will know me, from the least of them to the greatest; because I will forgive their wickednesses and remember their sins no more."

No longer will each man teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.”

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

Jeremiah 31:34 (KJV)

Verse Text: "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."

Commentary

This verse is a central part of Jeremiah's prophecy concerning the "New Covenant" (Jeremiah 31:31-34). It describes a radical change from the Old Covenant system.

Historical and Cultural Context: Under the Old Covenant, the law was written on stone tablets, and knowledge of God and His requirements was often mediated through priests, prophets, and the teaching of the law within the community. This prophecy looks forward to a future time when the relationship between God and His people would be fundamentally different.

Key Themes:

  • Direct and Universal Knowledge of God: The prophecy promises a time when the need for external teaching about knowing the Lord will diminish because God's people will have an internal, personal knowledge of Him. This knowledge will be available to everyone within the covenant community, "from the least... unto the greatest."
  • Complete Forgiveness: The basis for this deep, universal knowledge and close relationship is God's promise to completely forgive their iniquity and remember their sin no more. This divine act of forgiveness removes the barrier that separates humanity from God.

Significance: Christians understand this New Covenant to be inaugurated through Jesus Christ. The indwelling Holy Spirit enables believers to have this direct, personal knowledge of God, and Christ's atoning sacrifice provides the complete forgiveness of sins mentioned here.

Cross-Reference: This passage is directly quoted and explained in the New Testament book of Hebrews to demonstrate the superiority of the New Covenant established through Christ (see Hebrews 8:11-12 and Hebrews 10:16-17).

Reflection: This verse offers incredible assurance. It highlights the grace of God in providing not only complete forgiveness but also the means for a personal, intimate relationship with Him under the New Covenant, accessible to all who are His.

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.

  • Isaiah 43:25

    I, [even] I, [am] he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

  • Hebrews 8:12

    For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

  • Isaiah 54:13

    And all thy children [shall be] taught of the LORD; and great [shall be] the peace of thy children.

  • 1 John 2:27

    But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

  • Jeremiah 33:8

    And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me.

  • Hebrews 10:17

    And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

  • Hebrews 10:18

    Now where remission of these [is, there is] no more offering for sin.
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