Bible Strands
Jeremiah 31:3
The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with loving devotion.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The LORD addresses the remnant of Israel who survived the sword, speaking through the prophet to a people in the wilderness seeking rest. The divine voice declares a past appearance and a present commitment to the nation.
The words — The compound עַל־כֵּן (al-ken) translates literally as "thereupon" or "therefore," establishing the logical link between the stated love and the subsequent drawing. The noun עוֹלָם (olam) denotes perpetuity or everlasting duration, defining the temporal scope of the divine affection.
The thread — The pairing of unending divine affection with restorative guidance appears in Psalms 103:17, Isaiah 54:8, and Hosea 11:4. These texts consistently frame God's enduring commitment as the basis for His active intervention.
Why it lands — The text establishes that divine initiative precedes human response, framing Israel's restoration as a consequence of God's prior commitment. A reader must recognize that the call to return rests on a declared, unchanging divine action rather than human merit.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
Cross-references
- Psalms 103:17 But from everlasting to everlasting the loving devotion of the LORD extends to those who fear Him, and His righteousness to their children’s children—
- Isaiah 54:8 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.
- Hosea 11:4 I led them with cords of kindness, with ropes of love; I lifted the yoke from their necks and bent down to feed them.
- Ephesians 2:4 But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,
- Deuteronomy 33:3 Surely You love the people; all the holy ones are in Your hand, and they sit down at Your feet; each receives Your words—
- 1 John 4:19 We love because He first loved us.
- Deuteronomy 7:7 The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than the other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples.
- 2 Timothy 1:9 He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began.
- Romans 8:30 And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.
- Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms.