Jeremiah 31:36

If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, [then] the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.

If those ordinances {H2706} depart {H4185} from before {H6440} me, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}, then the seed {H2233} of Israel {H3478} also shall cease {H7673} from being a nation {H1471} before {H6440} me for ever {H3117}.

"If these laws leave my presence," says ADONAI, "then the offspring of Isra'el will stop being a nation in my presence forever."

“Only if this fixed order departed from My presence, declares the LORD, would Israel’s descendants ever cease to be a nation before Me.”

If these ordinances depart from before me, saith Jehovah, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.

Commentary

Context of Jeremiah 31:36

Jeremiah 31:36 is found within the "Book of Consolation" (Jeremiah chapters 30-33), a section of prophecy focused on the future restoration and hope for Israel and Judah, particularly after the devastating Babylonian exile. This specific verse follows immediately after the profound declaration of the New Covenant in Jeremiah 31:31-34, where God promises a deeper, internal relationship with His people. Verse 35 sets the stage by mentioning the "ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night," linking God's faithfulness to His creation with His faithfulness to His covenant people.

Key Themes in Jeremiah 31:36

  • God's Unwavering Faithfulness: The verse hinges on the permanence of natural laws ("If those ordinances depart from before me"). Just as the sun, moon, and stars reliably govern day and night, so too is God's commitment to Israel unwavering. This highlights God's immutability and the steadfastness of His character.
  • The Enduring Nation of Israel: The core promise is that "the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever" only if the laws of creation fail. This is a powerful affirmation of Israel's perpetual existence as a distinct nation in God's sight, a testament to His covenant promises made to Abraham (Genesis 17:7) and David (2 Samuel 7:16).
  • Divine Assurance and Hope: For a people facing destruction and dispersion, this verse offered immense hope and reassurance that their identity and future as God's chosen nation were secure, rooted in God's own unchanging nature and powerful decrees.

Linguistic Insights

The term "ordinances" (Hebrew: chuqqot) in this context refers to established statutes or fixed decrees, specifically the unchangeable laws that govern the natural world. This emphasizes the divine order and reliability of creation. The phrase "seed of Israel" (Hebrew: zera' Yisra'el) underscores their lineage and continuity, highlighting the physical and national descendants. The concluding "for ever" (Hebrew: l'khol hayyamim) literally means "for all the days," signifying perpetuity and an everlasting duration.

Practical Application and Reflection

Jeremiah 31:36 offers profound comfort and insight for believers today. It reminds us that God's promises are as reliable and fixed as the laws of nature. If we can trust that the sun will rise and the moon will shine, we can equally trust in God's faithfulness to His word and His covenants. This verse encourages us to:

  • Trust God's Promises: Even when circumstances seem dire, God's ultimate plan and promises for His people, both Israel and the Church, remain steadfast.
  • Find Security in God's Character: Our hope is not based on human strength or shifting circumstances, but on the unchanging character of God, who is faithful to His word.
  • Recognize God's Sovereignty: He who upholds the universe with His ordinances also upholds His people and His purposes through all generations. This truth brings stability and peace in an often uncertain world.

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

  • Psalms 89:36

    His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me.

  • Psalms 89:37

    It shall be established for ever as the moon, and [as] a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.

  • Jeremiah 33:20

    Thus saith the LORD; If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season;

  • Jeremiah 33:26

    Then will I cast away the seed of Jacob, and David my servant, [so] that I will not take [any] of his seed [to be] rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: for I will cause their captivity to return, and have mercy on them.

  • Isaiah 54:9

    For this [is as] the waters of Noah unto me: for [as] I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.

  • Isaiah 54:10

    For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.

  • Psalms 148:6

    He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.
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