Jeremiah 31:40

And the whole valley of the dead bodies, and of the ashes, and all the fields unto the brook of Kidron, unto the corner of the horse gate toward the east, [shall be] holy unto the LORD; it shall not be plucked up, nor thrown down any more for ever.

And the whole valley {H6010} of the dead bodies {H6297}, and of the ashes {H1880}, and all the fields {H7709}{H8309} unto the brook {H5158} of Kidron {H6939}, unto the corner {H6438} of the horse {H5483} gate {H8179} toward the east {H4217}, shall be holy {H6944} unto the LORD {H3068}; it shall not be plucked up {H5428}, nor thrown down {H2040} any more for ever {H5769}.

The whole valley of corpses and ashes, including all the fields as far as Vadi Kidron, and on to the corner of the Horse Gate to the east, will be separated out for Adonai; it will never be uprooted or destroyed again."

The whole valley of the dead bodies and ashes, and all the fields as far as the Kidron Valley, to the corner of the Horse Gate to the east, will be holy to the LORD. It will never again be uprooted or demolished.”

And the whole valley of the dead bodies and of the ashes, and all the fields unto the brook Kidron, unto the corner of the horse gate toward the east, shall be holy unto Jehovah; it shall not be plucked up, nor thrown down any more for ever.

Jeremiah 31:40 concludes a powerful chapter focused on God's future restoration of Israel and Judah, particularly highlighting the establishment of the New Covenant. This verse paints a vivid picture of the ultimate sanctification and permanence of Jerusalem in the Messianic age.

Context

This verse is the final statement in Jeremiah's lengthy prophecy of restoration (Jeremiah 30-33), often called "The Book of Consolation." After prophesying judgment and exile, Jeremiah shifts to a glorious future where God gathers His scattered people, rebuilds their cities, and establishes a new, enduring covenant. The specific geographical markers in verse 40 refer to areas historically associated with defilement and pagan practices outside Jerusalem's walls, such as the Valley of Hinnom (Gehenna), which was used for refuse and child sacrifice, and the Brook of Kidron, where idolatrous objects were often disposed of. The "horse gate" was a known entrance into the city.

Key Themes

  • Sanctification and Holiness: The core message is that even the most defiled and impure areas surrounding Jerusalem will be made "holy unto the LORD." This signifies a complete spiritual cleansing and dedication, transforming places of death and idolatry into sacred ground.
  • Divine Restoration: God promises not just to rebuild Jerusalem physically, but to purify it utterly. This goes beyond mere reconstruction to a profound spiritual renewal, making the city a fit dwelling for His presence.
  • Permanence and Security: The phrase "it shall not be plucked up, nor thrown down any more for ever" emphasizes the enduring and unshakeable nature of this restored Jerusalem. Unlike its past destructions, its future state under God's covenant will be eternal and secure, a testament to God's faithfulness and the stability of His promises.
  • Future Hope: This verse offers a powerful vision of hope, looking forward to a time when all traces of sin and defilement are removed, and God's dwelling place is perfectly holy and secure.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase "holy unto the LORD" (קֹדֶשׁ לַיהוָה, qodesh Yahweh) denotes a state of being set apart exclusively for God's purposes and presence. This transformation of previously defiled ground into "holy" ground underscores the radical nature of God's purifying work. The emphatic repetition in "not be plucked up, nor thrown down any more for ever" (לֹא יִנָּתֵשׁ וְלֹא יֵהָרֵס עוֹד לְעוֹלָם, lo yinnetash velo yehares od le'olam) highlights the absolute and eternal security of this future state, contrasting sharply with Jerusalem's history of repeated destruction.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 31:40 offers profound encouragement for believers today:

  • God's Transforming Power: Just as God promises to cleanse and sanctify defiled physical spaces, He has the power to cleanse and transform the most defiled hearts and lives. Nothing is beyond His redemptive reach.
  • Assurance of God's Promises: The "for ever" aspect of this prophecy assures us that God's promises, especially those concerning our future and His kingdom, are steadfast and eternally secure.
  • Hope for the Future: This verse points to a future where God's holiness will prevail fully, and His people will dwell securely with Him. It provides a glimpse of the New Jerusalem, where all things are made new and pure.

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.

  • Joel 3:17

    So shall ye know that I [am] the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.

  • 2 Samuel 15:23

    And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.

  • 2 Chronicles 23:15

    So they laid hands on her; and when she was come to the entering of the horse gate by the king's house, they slew her there.

  • 2 Kings 11:16

    And they laid hands on her; and she went by the way by the which the horses came into the king's house: and there was she slain.

  • John 18:1

    ¶ When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.

  • Nehemiah 3:28

    From above the horse gate repaired the priests, every one over against his house.

  • 2 Kings 23:6

    And he brought out the grove from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped [it] small to powder, and cast the powder thereof upon the graves of the children of the people.

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