Jeremiah 31:18-20 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 31:18-26

We have here, I. Ephraim's repentance, and return to God. Not only Judah, but Ephraim the ten tribes, shall be restored, and therefore shall thus be prepared and qualified for it, Hos. 14:8. Ephraim shall say, What have I do to any more with idols? Ephraim the people, is here spoken of as a single person to denote their unanimity; they shall be as one man in their repentance and shall glorify God in it with one mind and one mouth, one and all. It is likewise thus expressed that it might be the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 31:18

I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus ,.... Not Ephraim in person; though, as he was a very affectionate and tenderhearted man, as appears from 1 Chronicles 7:22 ; he is with like propriety introduced, as Rachel before; but Ephraim intends Israel, or the ten tribes, and even all the people of the Jews; and the prophecy seems to respect the conversion of them in the latter day, when they shall be in soul trouble, and bemoan their sins, and their sinful and wretched estate,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 31:19

Surely after that I was turned I repented ,.... Ephraim's prayer was answered; as he prayed he might be turned, he was; and when he was turned, then he repented, not only of sin in general, but of such sins as he had been particularly guilty of; not only of the grosser actions of life, but of inward sins, secret lusts and corruptions; even of sins of holy things, having now different sentiments, affections, and conduct: and this is what is called evangelical repentance, and is from the grace... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 31:20

Is Ephraim my dear son ?.... Questions put in this form, in the Hebrew language, usually more vehemently deny; and then the sense must be, Ephraim is not my dear son: and agreeably to this all the following clauses must be interpreted; which seems quite contrary to the scope and design of the context: wherefore it seems better to render the words thus, " Is not Ephraim my dear son?" F23 הבן יקיר לי "nonne filius pretiosus mihi?" Pagninus, Montanus. yes, he is; and so is... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 31:18

I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself - The exiled Israelites are in a state of deep repentance. Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised - I was at first like an unbroken and untoward steer, the more I was chastised the more I rebelled; but now I have benefited by thy correction. Turn thou me - I am now willing to take thy yoke upon me, but I have no power. I can only will and pray. Take the matter into thy own hand, and fully convert my soul. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 31:19

After that I was turned - Converted from my sin, folly, and idolatry. I repented - To conviction of sin, I now added contrition for sin. Conviction, in this sense of the word, must precede contrition or repentance. As soon as a man sees himself lost and undone, he is convicted of sin; when convicted, he begins to mourn. Thus contrition follows conviction. I smote upon my thigh - My sorrow grew deeper and deeper; I smote upon my thigh through the extremity of my distress. This was a... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 31:20

Is Ephraim my dear son? - It is impossible to conceive any thing more tenderly affectionate than this. Let us consider the whole account. The ten tribes, called here Ephraim, for the reason before alleged, are represented as acknowledging their sins. I have heard Ephraim bemoaning himself; and in his lamentation he says, Thou hast chastised me. Though he at first rebelled against the chastisement, yet at last he submitted and acknowledged his offenses. He turned from all his offenses;... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 31:18

Verse 18 The Prophet here speaks more distinctly of a blessed issue, and shews that the punishment by which God had already chastised the people, and by which he was prepared to chastise the tribe of Judah, was wholly necessary, which he would give them as a medicine. For as long as we have set before us the wrath of God, we necessarily, as it has been already said, try to avoid it, because we wish well to ourselves, and endeavor to remove to a distance, as much as we can, whatever is adverse... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 31:19

Verse 19 Jeremiah now proceeds with what he had before briefly touched upon, even to shew that the punishment inflicted on the Israelites had not been without its fruit. And this is a doctrine which ought especially to be known, for we always shun whatever is hard to the flesh; so that if it were according to our own will, the chastisements of God would never be well received by us. It is, therefore, necessary to regard the end, as the Apostle reminds us. (Hebrews 12:11) Now when we see that... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 31:20

Verse 20 God here complains of the Israelites, because he had produced so little an effect on them by his great goodness: for the adoption with which he had favored them was an immense benefit;but by their ingratitude they had in a manner annihilated that favor. God then here asks, what sort of people the Israelites had been. But a question makes a thing stronger; for he who asks a question shews that he speaks not of a thing uncertain, but the knowledge of which is so conspicuous that it... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 31:18-26

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 31:18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 31:19

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 31:20

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 31:18

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 31:19

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 31:20

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 31:18

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 31:19

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 31:20

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