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◄ Jeremiah 31:20►

New International Version
Is not Ephraim my dear son, the child in whom I delight? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him,” declares the LORD.

New Living Translation
“Is not Israel still my son, my darling child?” says the LORD. “I often have to punish him, but I still love him. That’s why I long for him and surely will have mercy on him.

English Standard Version
Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he my darling child? For as often as I speak against him, I do remember him still. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him, declares the LORD.

Berean Standard Bible
Is not Ephraim a precious son to Me, a delightful child? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore My heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him,” declares the LORD.

King James Bible
Is Ephraim my dear son?is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD.

New King James Version
Is Ephraim My dear son?Is he a pleasant child? For though I spoke against him, I earnestly remember him still; Therefore My heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him, says the LORD.

New American Standard Bible
“Is Ephraim My dear son? Is he a delightful child? Indeed, as often as I have spoken against him, I certainlystill remember him; Therefore My heart yearns for him; I will certainly have mercy on him,” declares the LORD.

NASB 1995
“Is Ephraim My dear son? Is he a delightful child? Indeed, as often as I have spoken against him, I certainly still remember him; Therefore My heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him,” declares the LORD.

NASB 1977
“Is Ephraim My dear son? Is he a delightful child? Indeed, as often as I have spoken against him, I certainlystill remember him; Therefore My heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him,” declares the LORD.

Legacy Standard Bible
Is Ephraim My dear son? Is he a delightful child? Indeed, as often as I have spoken against him, I certainly still remember him; Therefore My inmost being yearns for him; I will surely have compassion on him,” declares Yahweh.

Amplified Bible
“Is Ephraim My dear son? Is he a darlingand beloved child? For as often as I have spoken against him, I certainly still remember him. Therefore My affection is renewedand My heart longs for him; I will surely have mercy on him,” says the LORD.

Christian Standard Bible
Isn’t Ephraim a precious son to me, a delightful child? Whenever I speak against him, I certainly still think about him. Therefore, my inner being yearns for him; I will truly have compassion on him. This is the LORD’s declaration.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Isn’t Ephraim a precious son to Me, a delightful child? Whenever I speak against him, I certainly still think about him. Therefore, My inner being yearns for him; I will truly have compassion on him. This is the LORD’s declaration.

American Standard Version
Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a darling child? for as often as I speak against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my heart yearneth for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith Jehovah.

Contemporary English Version
People of Israel, you are my own dear children. Don't I love you best of all? Though I often make threats, I want you to be near me, so I will have mercy on you. I, the LORD, have spoken.

English Revised Version
Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for as often as I speak against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he a pleasant child? Even though I have often spoken against him, I still think fondly of him. That is why my heart longs for him, and I will certainly have compassion on him," declares the LORD.

Good News Translation
"Israel, you are my dearest child, the one I love best. Whenever I mention your name, I think of you with love. My heart goes out to you; I will be merciful.

International Standard Version
"Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he a darling child? Indeed, as often as I've spoken about him, I surely still remember him. Therefore I deeply yearn for him. I'll surely have great compassion on him," declares the LORD.

NET Bible
Indeed, the people of Israel are my dear children. They are the children I take delight in. For even though I must often rebuke them, I still remember them with fondness. So I am deeply moved with pity for them and will surely have compassion on them. I, the LORD, affirm it!

New Heart English Bible
Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he a darling child? For as often as I speak against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him," says the LORD.

Webster's Bible Translation
Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spoke against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
Is not Ephraim a precious son to Me, a delightful child? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore My heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him,” declares the LORD.

World English Bible
Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he a darling child? For as often as I speak against him, I still earnestly remember him. Therefore my heart yearns for him. I will surely have mercy on him,” says Yahweh.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
Is Ephraim a precious son to Me? A child of delights? For since My speaking against him, "" I still thoroughly remember him, "" Therefore My bowels have been moved for him, "" I love him greatly,” "" A declaration of YHWH.

Young's Literal Translation
A precious son is Ephraim to Me? A child of delights? For since My speaking against him, I do thoroughly remember him still, Therefore have My bowels been moved for him, I do greatly love him, An affirmation of Jehovah.

Smith's Literal Translation
Is Ephraim a precious son to me? if a child of delights? for whenever my speaking against him, remembering, I shall remember him yet; for this the bowels were put in motion to me compassionating, I will compassionate him, says Jehovah.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Surely Ephraim is an honourable son to me, surely he is a tender child: for since I spoke of him, I will still remember him. Therefore are my bowels troubled for him: pitying I will pity him, saith the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Certainly, Ephraim is an honorable son to me; surely, he is a tender child. For I will still remember him, as in the time when I first spoke about him. Because my heart is stirred up over him, surely I will take pity on him, says the Lord.

New American Bible
Is Ephraim not my favored son, the child in whom I delight? Even though I threaten him, I must still remember him! My heart stirs for him, I must show him compassion!—oracle of the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he the child I delight in? As often as I speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore I am deeply moved for him; I will surely have mercy on him, says the LORD.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Ephraim is my dear son, and a beloved child; for when I speak of him, I do earnestly remember him still; therefore I have my mercy upon him, I will surely have compassion on him, says the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Son Aphreim is precious to me and a child beloved, because in a time when I speak of him, I am reminded of him; because of this, my compassions have been upon him, and I shall love upon him, says LORD JEHOVAH

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
Is Ephraim a darling son unto Me? Is he a child that is dandled? For as often as I speak of him, I do earnestly remember him still; Therefore My heart yearneth for him, I will surely have compassion upon him, saith the LORD.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Ephraim is a beloved son, a pleasing child to me: for because my words are in him, I will surely remember him: therefore I made hasteto help him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the Lord.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Mourning Turned to Joy
…19After I returned, I repented; and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh in grief. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’20Is not Ephraim a precious son to Me,a delightful child?Though I often speak against him,I still remember him.Therefore My heart yearns for him;I have great compassion for him,”declares the LORD.21“Set up the roadmarks, establish the signposts. Keep the highway in mind, the road you have traveled. Return, O Virgin Israel, return to these cities of yours.…

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

Hosea 11:8
How could I give you up, O Ephraim? How could I surrender you, O Israel? How could I make you like Admah? How could I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within Me; My compassion is stirred!

Isaiah 49:15
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you!

Luke 15:20
So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.

Psalm 103:13
As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.

Isaiah 63:15
Look down from heaven and see, from Your holy and glorious habitation. Where are Your zeal and might? Your yearning and compassion for me are restrained.

Zechariah 10:6
I will strengthen the house of Judah and save the house of Joseph. I will restore them because I have compassion on them, and they will be as though I had not rejected them. For I am the LORD their God, and I will answer them.

Romans 9:15-16
For He says to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” / So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.

Isaiah 54:7-8
“For a brief moment I forsook you, but with great compassion I will bring you back. / In a surge of anger I hid My face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD your Redeemer.

2 Corinthians 6:18
And: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

Malachi 3:17
“They will be Mine,” says the LORD of Hosts, “on the day when I prepare My treasured possession. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.

Deuteronomy 32:36
For the LORD will vindicate His people and have compassion on His servants when He sees that their strength is gone and no one remains, slave or free.

Lamentations 3:31-32
For the Lord will not cast us off forever. / Even if He causes grief, He will show compassion according to His abundant loving devotion.

Matthew 9:36
When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Psalm 106:45
And He remembered His covenant with them, and relented by the abundance of His loving devotion.

1 John 3:1
Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.

Treasury of Scripture

Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spoke against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy on him, said the LORD.

Is Ephraim.

Jeremiah 32:9
And I bought the field of Hanameel my uncle's son, thatwas in Anathoth, and weighed him the money,even seventeen shekels of silver.

Jeremiah 3:19
But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me.

Psalm 103:13
Like as a father pitiethhis children,so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

for.

Deuteronomy 32:36
For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth thattheir power is gone, andthere is none shut up, or left.

Judges 10:16
And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the LORD: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.

Isaiah 57:16-18
For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the soulswhich I have made…

my bowels.

Genesis 43:30
And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he soughtwhere to weep; and he entered intohis chamber, and wept there.

1 Kings 3:26
Then spake the woman whose the living childwas unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine,but divideit.

Song of Solomon 5:4
My beloved put in his hand by the holeof the door, and my bowels were moved for him.

are troubled.

Jeremiah 48:36
Therefore mine heart shall sound for Moab like pipes, and mine heart shall sound like pipes for the men of Kirheres: because the richesthat he hath gotten are perished.

Isaiah 16:11
Wherefore my bowels shall sound like an harp for Moab, and mine inward parts for Kirharesh.

Isaiah 63:15
Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: whereis thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?

I will.

Isaiah 55:7
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Isaiah 57:18
I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners.

Hosea 14:4
I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.

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Jeremiah 31

1.The restoration of Israel.
10.The publication thereof.
15.Rahel mourning is comforted.
18.Ephraim repenting is brought home again.
22.Christ is promised.
27.His care over the church.
31.His new covenant.
35.The stability,
38.and amplitude of the church.

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

Is not Ephraim a precious son to Me, a delightful child?
Ephraim, representing the northern kingdom of Israel, is depicted as a beloved son. This imagery reflects the intimate relationship God desires with His people, despite their rebellion. The term "precious" indicates value and affection, while "delightful" suggests joy and pleasure. This echoes the father-son relationship seen inHosea 11:1, where God calls Israel His son. The use of "Ephraim" specifically highlights the tribe's prominence and its historical role as a leader among the northern tribes.

Though I often speak against him, I still remember him.
God's pronouncements against Ephraim are due to their idolatry and disobedience, as seen throughout the prophetic books. Yet, "I still remember him" signifies God's enduring covenantal faithfulness. This tension between judgment and mercy is a recurring theme in the prophets, illustrating God's justice and His unwavering commitment to His promises. The remembrance here is not merely cognitive but relational, indicating a desire for restoration.

Therefore My heart yearns for him;
The phrase "My heart yearns" conveys deep emotional longing, akin to a parent's love for a wayward child. This anthropomorphic expression reveals God's compassionate nature and His desire for reconciliation. The Hebrew term used here can also imply a stirring or tumult within, suggesting the intensity of God's feelings. This yearning is consistent with the portrayal of God in passages likeIsaiah 49:15, where God's compassion is likened to that of a mother's for her child.

I have great compassion for him,” declares the LORD.
God's compassion is central to His character, as seen inExodus 34:6, where He is described as "compassionate and gracious." This compassion is not passive but active, leading to forgiveness and restoration. The declaration "declares the LORD" underscores the certainty and authority of this promise. It assures the reader of God's unchanging nature and His ultimate plan for redemption, which is fulfilled in the New Testament through Jesus Christ, who embodies God's compassion and offers salvation to all.

Persons / Places / Events

1.Ephraim
Represents the Northern Kingdom of Israel, often used as a symbol for the entire nation due to its prominence. Ephraim was one of the tribes of Israel, descended from Joseph's son.

2.The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who expresses His deep love and compassion for His people despite their rebellion.

3.Jeremiah
The prophet through whom God delivers this message. He ministered during a time of great turmoil and impending judgment for Judah.

4.Israel's Rebellion
The context of this verse is Israel's persistent disobedience and idolatry, which led to their exile.

5.God's Compassion
The event of God expressing His enduring love and compassion for His people, despite their waywardness.

Teaching Points

God's Unfailing Love
Despite our failures and sins, God's love for us remains steadfast. He sees us as precious and delightful, just as He did with Ephraim.

Divine Compassion
God's heart yearns for His people, demonstrating His deep compassion. This should encourage us to return to Him, knowing He is always ready to forgive.

The Call to Repentance
While God speaks against sin, His ultimate desire is for His people to repent and return to Him. This is a call for self-examination and turning back to God.

The Nature of God's Discipline
God's discipline is not out of anger but out of love, aiming to restore and bring us back into a right relationship with Him.

Hope for Restoration
No matter how far we have strayed, there is always hope for restoration because of God's enduring compassion and mercy.

Lists and Questions

Top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 31

Who was Rachel in the Bible?

Why doesn't 2 Kings 16 emphasize divine judgment on Ahaz's actions as clearly as other Old Testament passages condemn idolatry?

What does 'God is with us' mean?

How can Ezekiel 37:25-28's everlasting covenant and sanctuary be understood when there seems to be no clear historical or present-day fulfillment matching this depiction?

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(20)Is Ephraim my dear son?--Literally,a child of delight--i.e.,fondled and caressed.

Is he a pleasant child?--We have to ask whether an affirmative or negative answer is implied to these questions. On the former view, the words express the yearning of a father's heart towards the son whom he still loves in spite of all his faults. Jehovah wonders, as it were, at his affection for one who has been so rebellious. On the latter, they give prominence to the faults as having deprived him of all claim to love, even though the father's heart yearned towards the prodigal in pity. The former gives, beyond all doubt, the best meaning. In every word, whether of reproof or invitation, there was implied a loving remembrance.

For since I spake against him.--Better,As often as I speak to him.The preposition can hardly have the meaning of "against," for which Jeremiah uses different words, and implies rather (as in the "communed with" of1Samuel 25:39; "When she shall be spoken for," SongSong of Solomon 8:8)--speaking with a view to win. By some commentators (Ewald) the word for "speak" is rendered "smite," but the ordinary rendering gives an adequate meaning. The original gives both for "earnestly remember" and "surely have mercy" the Hebrew idiom of reduplication--Remembering, I remember; pitying, I pity.The thought expressed is that Jehovah could not bring himself to utter the sentence of rejection. His love turned to the penitent who turned to Him. We have something like a foreshadowing of the love of the father of the prodigal inLuke 15:20.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 20. - The Divine speaker asks, as it were in surprise, whether Ephraim, who has so flagrantly sinned against him, can really be hisdear (or,precious)son, hispleasant child (literally,child of caressing, i.e. one caressed). The latter expression occurs in a remarkable passage of Isaiah (Isaiah 5:7).Since I spake against him; rather, asoften as I spake against him;i.e. as often as I pronounced sentence against Ephraim - such a sentence as is recorded inIsaiah 9:8-21 (where the future tenses should he perfects) and Isaiah 28:1-4. We must remember that, with God, to speak is to perform. Often as Jehovah punished Israel, he still remembered him in love - a love which was the pledge of his future restoration to favour upon his true repentance.I do earnestly remember; rather,Iverilyremembered. "To remember" is the Old Testament term for providential care (comp.Genesis 8:1;Genesis 19:29).My bowels are troubled; literally,sound, moan (soIsaiah 16:11;Isaiah 63:15). Something analogous to the thrilling sensation of deep human grief is predicated of Jehovah. Such is the "humility" of the God of revelation (Psalm 18:35; comp.Hosea 11:8).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Is not Ephraim
אֶפְרַ֗יִם(’ep̄·ra·yim)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 669:Ephraim -- a son of Joseph, also his descendants and their territory

a precious
יַקִּ֨יר(yaq·qîr)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 3357:Very precious, dear

son to Me,
הֲבֵן֩(hă·ḇên)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1121:A son

a delightful
שַׁעֲשֻׁעִ֔ים(ša·‘ă·šu·‘îm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8191:Enjoyment

child?
יֶ֣לֶד(ye·leḏ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3206:Something born, a lad, offspring

Though I often
מִדֵּ֤י(mid·dê)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1767:Sufficiency, enough

speak against him,
דַבְּרִי֙(ḏab·bə·rî)
Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1696:To arrange, to speak, to subdue

surely I still
ע֑וֹד(‘ō·wḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 5750:Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more

remember
זָכֹ֥ר(zā·ḵōr)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 2142:To mark, to remember, to mention, to be male

him.
אֶזְכְּרֶ֖נּוּ(’ez·kə·ren·nū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2142:To mark, to remember, to mention, to be male

Therefore
עַל־(‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, against

My heart
מֵעַי֙(mê·‘ay)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 4578:The intestines, the abdomen, sympathy, a vest, the stomach, the uterus, the heart

yearns for him;
הָמ֤וּ(hā·mū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1993:To make a, loud sound, commotion, tumult, to rage, war, moan, clamor

I have great compassion
רַחֵ֥ם(ra·ḥêm)
Verb - Piel - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 7355:To fondle, to love, to compassionate

for him,”
אֲ‍ֽרַחֲמֶ֖נּוּ(’ăra·ḥă·men·nū)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7355:To fondle, to love, to compassionate

declares
נְאֻם־(nə·’um-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5002:An oracle

the LORD.
יְהוָֽה׃(Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 31:20 Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he (Jer.)