Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the city shall be built to the LORD from the tower of Hananeel unto the gate of the corner.
Behold, the days {H3117} come {H935}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}, that the city {H5892} shall be built {H1129} to the LORD {H3068} from the tower {H4026} of Hananeel {H2606} unto the gate {H8179} of the corner {H6438}.
"Look, the days are coming," says ADONAI, "when the city will be rebuilt for ADONAI from the Tower of Hanan'el to the Corner Gate.
“The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when this city will be rebuilt for Me, from the tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate.
Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that the city shall be built to Jehovah from the tower of Hananel unto the gate of the corner.
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Zechariah 14:10
All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin's gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and [from] the tower of Hananeel unto the king's winepresses. -
2 Kings 14:13
And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Bethshemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits. -
Jeremiah 30:18
¶ Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob's tents, and have mercy on his dwellingplaces; and the city shall be builded upon her own heap, and the palace shall remain after the manner thereof. -
2 Chronicles 26:9
Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning [of the wall], and fortified them. -
Jeremiah 31:27
¶ Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast. -
Ezekiel 48:30
And these [are] the goings out of the city on the north side, four thousand and five hundred measures. -
Ezekiel 48:35
[It was] round about eighteen thousand [measures]: and the name of the city from [that] day [shall be], The LORD [is] there.
Jeremiah 31:38 is a powerful prophetic declaration, part of what is often called the "Book of Comfort" (Jeremiah 30-33). This section of Jeremiah focuses on God's unwavering promises of restoration and renewal for His covenant people, Israel and Judah, after the devastation of the Babylonian exile.
Context
Following prophecies of judgment and the impending destruction of Jerusalem, chapters 30-33 pivot to a message of hope. God promises to bring His people back from captivity, restore their land, and establish a new and everlasting relationship with them. This passage immediately follows the profound declaration of the New Covenant in Jeremiah 31:31-34, emphasizing a spiritual renewal that undergirds the physical restoration. Verse 38 specifically details the physical rebuilding of Jerusalem, signifying the complete and secure re-establishment of the city under God's watchful care.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "built to the LORD" (Hebrew: banah l'YHWH) is significant. It's more than just a physical construction; it implies that the city's rebuilding is for God's glory, according to His design, and for His purposes. It signifies dedication and a return to holiness, contrasting sharply with its previous state of ruin and defilement.
Related Scriptures
Practical Application
This verse offers profound encouragement for believers today. Just as God promised to rebuild Jerusalem after its desolation, He is faithful to restore and renew lives, communities, and even broken dreams. It reminds us that even when things seem utterly lost or ruined, God's ultimate plan is one of restoration and purpose. We can find hope in God's ability to take what is broken and build it anew, dedicated to His glory, just as He promised to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.