Jeremiah 50:19

Translation
King James Version
And I will bring Israel again to his habitation, and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan, and his soul shall be satisfied upon mount Ephraim and Gilead.
Ask
KJV (with Strong's)
And I will bring H7725 Israel H3478 again H7725 to his habitation H5116, and he shall feed H7462 on Carmel H3760 and Bashan H1316, and his soul H5315 shall be satisfied H7646 upon mount H2022 Ephraim H669 and Gilead H1568.
Ask
Complete Jewish Bible
I will bring Isra'el back to his pasture, to graze on the Karmel and the Bashan, on the hills of Efrayim and in Gil'ad until he has his fill.
Ask
Berean Standard Bible
I will return Israel to his pasture, and he will graze on Carmel and Bashan; his soul will be satisfied on the hills of Ephraim and Gilead.
Ask
American Standard Version
And I will bring Israel again to his pasture, and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan, and his soul shall be satisfied upon the hills of Ephraim and in Gilead.
Ask
World English Bible Messianic
I will bring Israel again to his pasture, and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan, and his soul shall be satisfied on the hills of Ephraim and in Gilead.
Ask
Geneva Bible (1599)
And I will bring Israel againe to his habitation: hee shall feede on Carmel and Bashan, and his soule shall be satisfied vpon the mount Ephraim and Gilead.
Ask
Young's Literal Translation
And I have brought back Israel unto his habitation, And he hath fed on Carmel, and on Bashan. And in mount Ephraim, and on Gilead is his soul satisfied.
Ask
See also
Ezekiel 34:13Ezekiel 34:14Micah 7:14Jeremiah 31:6Amos 9:14Amos 9:15Isaiah 35:2
See on the biblical-era map
Prophecy Against Babylon
Prophecy Against Babylon View full PDF

Map © Biblica Open Bible Maps · CC BY-SA 4.0

In the KJVVerse 20,186 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Jeremiah 50:19 stands as a beacon of hope within a broader prophetic oracle, declaring God's unwavering commitment to restore Israel from their Babylonian exile. This profound promise encompasses not merely a physical return to their ancestral land but a comprehensive renewal characterized by abundant provision, spiritual satisfaction, and a deep sense of belonging within their historically fertile territories. The verse highlights God's sovereign power to reverse the fortunes of His people and faithfully fulfill His covenant promises, bringing them into a state of holistic well-being and profound contentment.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Jeremiah 50:19 is strategically placed within a lengthy prophetic oracle against Babylon, spanning chapters 50 and 51. These chapters are primarily dedicated to detailing Babylon's impending destruction as divine judgment for its arrogance and its brutal oppression of God's chosen people. However, interspersed within these pronouncements of doom for Babylon are tender and powerful promises of restoration and redemption for both Israel and Judah. This particular verse serves as a vivid contrast, offering a bright promise of hope amidst declarations of desolation. It assures the exiles that despite their current suffering and displacement, God has a definitive plan to bring them back to their land, emphasizing His unwavering covenant faithfulness even in the midst of chastisement. The immediate verses preceding this one in Jeremiah 50 speak of Israel and Judah's collective return, their weeping as they seek the Lord, and their entering into an everlasting covenant, thereby setting the stage for the promised return to their habitation and the subsequent blessings of abundance and satisfaction.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: The prophecies in Jeremiah were delivered during a tumultuous period for Judah, culminating in the devastating Babylonian exile in 586 BCE. The people had been forcibly removed from their homeland and were living under foreign domination, experiencing profound trauma and longing for their ancestral heritage. The promise to "bring Israel again to his habitation" directly addresses this deep-seated trauma of displacement and the yearning for home. The specific geographical locations mentioned—Carmel, Bashan, Ephraim, and Gilead—were historically renowned regions within the promised land, celebrated for their exceptional fertility and rich pastures. Carmel, a majestic mountain range in the west, was synonymous with lush vegetation and beauty. Bashan and Gilead, situated east of the Jordan River, were famous for their rich grazing lands, robust cattle, and agricultural productivity. Mount Ephraim represented the central highlands and a significant portion of the former northern kingdom of Israel. By invoking these specific, highly productive regions, the prophecy taps into a cultural understanding of prosperity, security, and a return to a vibrant, flourishing life, a stark contrast to the barrenness and oppression experienced in exile.
  • Key Themes: This verse powerfully articulates several core themes prevalent throughout the book of Jeremiah and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, Divine Sovereignty and Restoration is paramount, as God Himself declares, "I will bring Israel again." This emphasizes that their return is not a result of human effort or political maneuvering but is solely by God's direct, sovereign intervention, fulfilling His covenant promises to His people. Secondly, Abundance and Provision are vividly highlighted through the pastoral imagery of feeding on the fertile lands of Carmel and Bashan, signifying not just material prosperity but a state of flourishing and freedom from want. This stands in sharp contrast to the scarcity and servitude experienced during exile. Thirdly, Holistic Satisfaction is promised, as "his soul shall be satisfied upon mount Ephraim and Gilead." This extends beyond mere physical sustenance to encompass a deep spiritual, emotional, and psychological contentment, indicating a comprehensive well-being that touches every aspect of life. This theme echoes the ultimate satisfaction found only in God, as beautifully articulated in passages like Psalm 23.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • bring again (Hebrew, shûwb', H7725): This primitive root signifies "to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again." In Jeremiah 50:19, it denotes God's active, sovereign initiative to reverse Israel's fortunes, bringing them back from their place of exile to their homeland. It implies a complete reversal of their circumstances, a divine act of restoration rather than a mere passive return, highlighting God's faithfulness and power to restore.
  • feed (Hebrew, râʻâh', H7462): This primitive root means "to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a friend)." Here, it vividly portrays the restored Israel as a flock being pastured by God, symbolizing abundant provision, security, and the flourishing life found in fertile lands. It suggests a state of peace and sustenance under divine care, akin to a shepherd diligently tending and nurturing his sheep.
  • satisfied (Hebrew, sâbaʻ', H7646): This primitive root means "to sate, i.e., fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively); have enough, fill (full, self, with), be (to the) full (of), have plenty of, be satiate, satisfy (with), suffice, be weary of." The use of this word in conjunction with "soul" (nephesh) indicates a profound, comprehensive fulfillment that extends far beyond mere physical hunger. It speaks to a deep, abiding contentment, a complete satiation of desires and needs, encompassing spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being—a state of profound peace and rest found in their restored land and relationship with God.

Verse Breakdown

  • "And I will bring Israel again to his habitation": This opening clause unequivocally establishes God as the primary and sovereign agent of Israel's restoration. The term "habitation" (nâveh) refers to their dwelling place, their home, specifically the promised land of Israel. This emphasizes that the return from exile is not a human achievement or a political negotiation but a direct, divine act, underscoring God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises despite Israel's past disobedience and current plight.
  • "and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan": This clause paints a vibrant picture of agricultural prosperity and abundant provision. Carmel and Bashan were renowned for their exceptional fertility and rich pastures, symbolizing a land overflowing with sustenance. The act of "feeding" implies not just mere survival but thriving, flourishing, and enjoying a life of plenty. This signifies a future where Israel enjoys material blessings, security, and freedom from want, standing in stark contrast to the deprivations and scarcity experienced during their exile.
  • "and his soul shall be satisfied upon mount Ephraim and Gilead": This final clause elevates the promise beyond physical provision to a deep, holistic contentment that permeates the entire being. "Soul" (nephesh) encompasses the totality of a person—their mind, will, emotions, and inner life. Mount Ephraim (representing the central part of the former northern kingdom) and Gilead (a fertile region east of the Jordan) symbolize the comprehensive restoration of all Israel, encompassing both the former northern and southern kingdoms. The "satisfaction" promised is profound and complete, indicating a state of peace, joy, and fulfillment that only God can provide in their restored homeland, addressing their deepest spiritual and emotional longings.

Literary Devices

Jeremiah 50:19 employs powerful Imagery and Symbolism to convey its message of hope and restoration. The vivid depiction of Israel "feeding on Carmel and Bashan" evokes lush, verdant pastoral scenes, symbolizing abundant provision, prosperity, and a return to a flourishing existence. These specific geographical locations (Carmel, Bashan, Mount Ephraim, Gilead) function as Metonyms for the entire promised land, signifying a comprehensive return and restoration for all twelve tribes, encompassing both the former northern and southern territories. The phrase "his soul shall be satisfied" utilizes Synecdoche, where "soul" (nephesh) represents the entire person, emphasizing a deep, inner contentment that transcends mere physical needs and speaks to holistic well-being. The overall tone is one of Prophetic Promise, offering a striking contrast to the preceding and surrounding pronouncements of judgment against Babylon, thereby powerfully highlighting God's unwavering faithfulness and redemptive purpose for His covenant people.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Jeremiah 50:19 stands as a profound testament to God's enduring covenant faithfulness and His sovereign power to restore. It reveals a God who, even in the midst of judgment and the severe consequences of disobedience, holds fast to His promises for His people, demonstrating His character as the ultimate provider and restorer. The prophecy of a return to a land of abundance and deep satisfaction points to a holistic understanding of salvation that encompasses not only physical well-being and material prosperity but also profound spiritual and emotional contentment. This divine initiative to bring Israel back and satisfy their souls foreshadows the ultimate restoration and spiritual nourishment found solely in God's presence, where true and lasting satisfaction is eternally found.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Jeremiah 50:19 offers a profoundly relevant message of hope and assurance for believers today. In a world often marked by displacement, scarcity, and pervasive dissatisfaction, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that God is the ultimate restorer and provider. Just as He promised to bring Israel back to a land of abundance and deep contentment, He also promises to satisfy the deepest longings of our souls and lead us into places of spiritual peace and flourishing. This passage encourages us to cultivate unwavering trust in God's faithfulness, especially when we feel spiritually "exiled" from His presence, are experiencing barrenness in our faith, or are grappling with unfulfilled desires. It calls us to look beyond immediate circumstances and embrace the liberating truth that God's ultimate plan for us is one of restoration, abundant provision, and profound satisfaction found only in Him. Our deepest longings are met not by worldly pursuits or fleeting pleasures, but by resting in His sovereign care and embracing the spiritual "pastures" and "living water" He graciously provides.

Questions for Reflection

  • In what areas of your life do you currently experience a sense of "exile" or dissatisfaction, and how might this verse encourage you to trust in God's restorative power?
  • How does the promise of "soul satisfaction" challenge your understanding of true contentment in a culture that often equates happiness with material acquisition or external circumstances?
  • What practical steps can you take to intentionally "feed" on the spiritual provisions God offers through His Word, prayer, and community, allowing Him to deeply satisfy your soul?

FAQ

What is the significance of the specific geographical locations mentioned in Jeremiah 50:19?

Answer: The mention of Carmel, Bashan, Mount Ephraim, and Gilead is highly significant, serving both literal and symbolic purposes. These were historically renowned regions within the promised land, celebrated for their exceptional fertility, rich pastures, and strategic importance. Carmel, a majestic mountain range in the west, was known for its lush vegetation and beauty. Bashan and Gilead, located east of the Jordan River, were famous for their rich grazing lands, robust cattle, and agricultural productivity, symbolizing material abundance and prosperity. Mount Ephraim represented the central highlands and a significant portion of the former northern kingdom of Israel, highlighting the restoration of the ten tribes. By naming these specific, productive regions, the prophecy emphasizes a comprehensive and holistic restoration for all of Israel—both the former northern and southern kingdoms—to a state of flourishing, security, and abundant provision, far removed from the desolation and scarcity of exile. It paints a vivid picture of the entire land being restored to its former glory and productivity, providing bountifully for God's people.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Jeremiah 50:19, with its powerful promise of Israel's return to a land of abundance and profound soul satisfaction, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the immediate prophecy concerned a physical return from Babylonian exile, the spiritual realities it foreshadows are fully realized in the New Covenant established through Christ. Jesus is the true "habitation" for His people, the one who gathers His scattered sheep and brings them into His eternal fold (John 10:16). He is the Good Shepherd who leads His flock to green pastures and beside still waters, providing spiritual nourishment and deep rest for their souls (Psalm 23:2). The imagery of "feeding on Carmel and Bashan" is spiritually fulfilled in Christ, who declares Himself the "Bread of Life" (John 6:35), offering eternal sustenance that truly satisfies the deepest hunger of the human spirit. The promise that "his soul shall be satisfied" points directly to the deep, abiding contentment and peace found only in a relationship with Christ, who offers living water so that those who drink will "never be thirsty again" (John 4:14). Through His atoning work and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, believers are brought into a spiritual "promised land" where their deepest longings are met, and they experience the fullness of God's provision and presence, far surpassing any earthly abundance or physical return.

Copy as

Commentary on Jeremiah 50 verses 9–20

God is here by his prophet, as afterwards in his providence, proceeding in his controversy with Babylon. Observe,

I. The commission and charge given to the instruments that were to be employed in destroying Babylon. The army that is to do it is called an assembly of great nations (Jer 50:9), the Medes and Persians, and all their allies and auxiliaries; it is called an assembly, because regularly formed by the divine will and counsel to do this execution. God will raise them up to do it, will incline them to and fir them for this service, and then he will cause them to come up, for all their motions are under his conduct and direction: he shall give the word of command, shall order them to put themselves in array against Babylon (Jer 50:14), and then they shall put themselves in array (Jer 50:9), for what God appoints to be done shall be done; and thence she shall be quickly taken; from their first sitting down before it they shall be still gaining ground against it till it be taken. God shall bid them shoot at her and spare no arrows (Jer 50:14), and then their arrows shall be as of a mighty expert man, that has both skill and strength, a good eye and a good hand (Jer 50:9); none shall return in vain. When God gives commission he will give success. Nay, they are bidden not only to shoot at her (Jer 50:14), but to shout against her (Jer 50:15) with a triumphant shout, as those that are already sure of victory. Those whom God directs to shoot may do so with shouting, for they are sure not to miss the mark.

II. The desolation and destruction itself that shall be brought upon Babylon. This is here set forth in a great variety of expressions. 1. The wealth of Babylon shall be a rich and easy prey to the conquerors (Jer 50:10): Chaldea shall be a spoil to all her destroyers, who shall enrich themselves by plundering her, and, which is strange, all that spoil her shall be satisfied; they shall have so much that even they themselves shall say that they have enough. 2. The country of Babylon shall be depopulated and lie uninhabited: It shall be wholly desolate (Jer 50:13) to such a degree that every one who goes by shall triumph in her fall, and, instead of condoling with them, shall hiss at all her plagues, Jer 50:13. 3. Their ancestors shall be ashamed of their cowardice, in fleeing from the first onset (Jer 50:12), or, Your mother, Babylon itself, the mother-city, shall be confounded, when she sees herself deserted by those that should have been her guards. Thus the former ages of Christians may justly be confounded and ashamed to see how unlike them the latter ages are, and how wretchedly they have degenerated; and no sin brings a surer and sorer ruin upon persons, or people, than apostasy. 4. The great admirers of Babylon shall see it rendered very despicable: the last of kingdoms, the very tail of the nations, shall it be, a wilderness, a dry land, a desert, Jer 50:12. The country that was populous shall be dispeopled, that was enriched with a fertile soil shall become barren. 5. The great city, the head of it, shall be quite ruined. Her foundations have fallen, and therefore her walls are thrown down; for how can the walls stand when divine vengeance is at the door and shakes the very foundations? It is the vengeance of the Lord, which nothing can contend with either in law or battle. 6. There shall not be left in Babylon so much as the poor of the land, for vine-dressers and husbandmen, as there was in Israel (Jer 50:16): The sower shall be cut off from Babylon, and he that handles the sickle; the country shall be so emptied of people that there shall be none to till the ground and gather in the fruits of it. Harvest shall come, and there shall be no reapers; seed-time shall come, but there shall be no sower; God will do his part, but there shall be no men to do theirs. 7. All their auxiliary forces, which they have hired into their service, shall ??desert them, as mercenary men often do upon the approach of danger (Jer 50:16): For fear of the oppressing sword they shall turn every one to his people. This was threatened before concerning Egypt, Jer 46:16.

III. The procuring provoking cause of this destruction. It comes from God's displeasure; it is because of the wrath of the Lord that Babylon shall be wholly desolate (Jer 50:13), and his wrath is righteous, for (Jer 50:14) she hath sinned against the Lord, therefore spare no arrows. Note, It is sin that makes men a mark for the arrows of God's judgments. An abundance of idolatry and immorality was to be found in Babylon, yet those are not mentioned as the reason of God's displeasure against them, but the injuries they had done to the people of God, from a principle of enmity to them as his people. They have been the destroyers of God's heritage (Jer 50:11); herein indeed God made use of them for the necessary correction of his people, and yet it is laid to their charge as a heinous crime, because they designed nothing but their utter destruction. 1. What they did against Jerusalem they did with pleasure (Jer 50:11): You were glad, you rejoice. God does not afflict his people willingly, and therefore takes it very ill if the instruments he employs afflict them willingly. When Titus Vespasian destroyed Jerusalem he wept over it, but these Chaldeans triumphed over it. 2. The spoils of Jerusalem they made use of to feed their own luxury: "You have grown fat as the heifer at grass, and bellow as bulls; your having conquered Jerusalem has made you very wanton and proud, easy to yourselves and formidable to all about you, and therefore you must be a spoil." Those that have thus swallowed down riches must vomit them up again. Therefore they have given their hand (Jer 50:15); they have surrendered themselves to the conqueror, have tamely yielded so that now you may take vengeance on her, now you may make reprisals and do unto her as she hath done. 3. They aimed at nothing less than the utter ruin of God's Israel: Israel is a scattered sheep, as before (Jer 50:6), that is not only barked at and worried by dogs, but even lions, the most potent adversaries, have roared upon him and driven him away, Jer 50:17. One king of Assyria carried the ten tribes quite away and devoured them; another invaded Judah, and plundered and impoverished it, tore the fleece and flesh of this poor sheep; and now at last this Nebuchadnezzar, that is the terror and plague of all his neighbours, has taken advantage of the low condition to which he is reduced, and he has fallen upon him and broken his bones, has quite ruined him, and therefore the king of Babylon must be punished as the king of Assyria was, Jer 50:18. Note, Those who pursue and prosecute the sins of their predecessors must expect to be pursued and prosecuted by their plagues; if they do as they did, let them fare as they fared.

IV. The mercy promised to the Israel of God, which shall not only accompany, but accrue from, the destruction of Babylon. 1. God will return their captivity; they shall be released out of their bondage, and brought again to their own habitation as sheep that were scattered to their own fold Jer 50:19. They still retained a title to the land of Canaan; it is their habitation still. The discontinuance of their possession was not the destruction of their right. But now they shall recover the enjoyment of it again. 2. He will restore their prosperity; they shall not only live, but live comfortably, in their own land again; they shall feed upon Carmel and Bashan, the richest and most fruitful parts of the country. These sheep shall be gathered from the deserts to which they were dispersed, and put again into good pasture, which their soul shall be satisfied with though they shall come hungry to it, having been so long stinted, and straitened, and kept short, yet they shall find enough to satiate them and shall have hearts to be satiated with it. They enquired the way to Zion (Jer 50:5), where God was to be served and worshipped. This was what they chiefly aimed at in their return; but God will not only bring them thither, but bring them also to Carmel and Bashan, where they shall abundantly feed themselves. Note, Those that return to God and their duty shall find true satisfaction of soul in so doing; and those that seek first the kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof, that aim to make their habitation in Zion, the holy hill, shall have other things added to them, even all the comforts of Ephraim and Gilead, the fruitful hills. 3. God will pardon their iniquity; this is the root of all the rest (Jer 50:20): In those days the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none. Not only the punishments of their iniquity shall be taken off, but the offence which it gave to God shall be forgotten, and he will be reconciled to them. Their sin shall be before him as if it had never been; it shall be blotted out as a cloud, crossed out as a debt, shall be cast behind his back; nay, it shall be cast into the depth of the sea, shall be no longer sealed up among God's treasures, nor in any danger of appearing again or rising up against them. This denotes how fully God forgives sin; he remembers it no more. Note, Deliverances out of trouble are then comforts indeed when they are the fruits of the forgiveness of sin, Isa 38:17. Judah and Israel were so fully forgiven when they were brought back out of Babylon that they are said to have received of the Lord's hand double for all their sins, Isa 40:2. This may include also a thorough reformation of their hearts and lives, as well as a full remission of their sins. If any seek for idols or any idolatrous customs among them, after their return, there shall be none, they shall not find them; their dross shall be purely purged away, and by that it shall appear that their guilt is so; for I will pardon those whom I reserve; I will be propitious to them (so the word is) and that must be through him who is the great propitiation. Note, Those whose sins God pardons he reserves for something very great; for whom he justifies them he glorifies.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 9–20. Public domain.
Copy as
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as

Continue studying Jeremiah 50:19 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.

Read & Compare

Commentaries

Original Language & Research

Sermons, Hymns & Audio

TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.