Jeremiah 31:3-4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 31:1-9

God here assures his people, I. That he will again take them into a covenant relation to himself, from which they seemed to be cut off. At the same time, when God's anger breaks out against the wicked (Jer. 30:24), his own people shall be owned by him as the children of his love: I will be the God (that is, I will show myself to be the God) of all the families of Israel (Jer. 31:1),?not of the two tribes only, but of all the tribes,?not of the house of Aaron only, and the families of Levi, but... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 31:3

The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying ,.... Either to the prophet, bidding him say to the church what follows, so Jarchi: or to Christ, who was from eternity with the Father; lay in his bosom; between whom the council of peace was; with whom the covenant was made; and whom God loved before the foundation of the world; and which is observed by him, for the comfort of his people, John 17:24 ; so Cocceius; but rather they are the words of Israel, or the church, owning the above... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 31:4

Again, I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel ,.... The same with "all the families of Israel", Jeremiah 31:1 ; who, when converted, will be espoused to Christ as a chaste virgin; have a sincere affection for him; unfeigned faith in him, and purely worship him; receiving the pure doctrines of the Gospel, and submitting to the ordinances of it; and then will the church, comparable to a building, consisting of lively stones, laid upon the foundation Christ, which is... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 31:3

I have loved thee with an everlasting love - אהבתיך עולם ואהבת veahabath olam ahabtich , "and with the old love I have loved thee." "Also, with a love of long standing have I loved thee." - Blayney. "But I love thee always." - Dahler. I still bear to the Jewish people that love which I showed to their fathers in Egypt, in the wilderness, and in the promised land. Can it be supposed, by any person seriously considering the context, that these words are spoken of God's decree of election... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 31:4

O virgin of Israel - Israelites in general; now called virgin, because restored to their ancient purity. With thy tabrets - Women in general played on these; they were used in times of rejoicing, and accompanied with dancing. To these customs, still preserved, the prophet alludes. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 31:3

Verse 3 The last part is commonly rendered, “I have therefore drawn thee in mercy;” but the sense is frigid and unsuitable. I therefore doubt not but that he, on the contrary, means, that the mercy of God would not be evanescent, but would follow the people from year to year in all ages. At the beginning of the verse the Prophet introduces the Jews as making a clamor, as the unbelieving are wont to do, who, while they reject the favor of God, yet wish to appear to do so with some reason. Then,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 31:4

Verse 4 Jeremiah, in this verse, proceeds with the same subject, — that though there would be the long time of seventy years, yet God would become the liberator of his Church. Length of time might have extinguished the faith of the people, as it is too commonly the case: for when nothing appears to us but the naked word, and when God repeats the same promises from day to day, we think it of no moment; and then when some evil has been prevailing, we think that all ways have been already closed... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 31:1-6

The promise of Jeremiah 30:22 is expressly declared to apply to both sections of the nation. Jehovah thus solemnly declares his purpose of mercy, and dwells with special Madness on the happy future of Ephraim. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 31:1-9

The restoration of Israel. To cheer the hearts of the exiles, to lift up the despondent, and to vindicate the faithfulness of God, is the intent of this and the many other predictions concerning the restoration of Israel. In a limited sense they were fulfilled by the restoration at the close of the Captivity; but the events of that period can hardly be said to have filled up the meaning of the emphatic language which the prophets were wont to employ. Hence it has been felt to be necessary... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 31:3

The Lord hath appeared of old unto me. The Church of the faithful Israel is the speaker. "From afar" (so we ought to render, rather than "of old") she sees Jehovah, with the eye of faith, approaching to redeem her; comp. Isaiah 40:10 and Isaiah 59:20 (only that in these passages it is to Jerusalem, and not to Babylon, that Jehovah "comes" as the Redeemer); also the promise in Jeremiah 30:10 , "I will save thee from afar," and Jeremiah 51:50 , quoted above. Saying, Yea, I have loved... read more

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