Jeremiah 31:9

They will come with weeping, and by their supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk beside streams of waters, on a level path where they will not stumble. For I am Israel’s Father, and Ephraim is My firstborn.”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The LORD speaks through Jeremiah to the gathered remnant of Israel and Judah, addressing their promised return from northern exile and distant lands. This declaration follows the announcement of a great assembly and immediately precedes the command to proclaim the gathering to the nations.

The words — The text emphasizes בְּכִי (bechi, "weeping") and תַחֲנוּנִים (tachanunim, "supplications") to frame the manner of their return. It also employs נַחֲלֵי מַיִם (nachalei mayim, "torrents of water") to describe the specific provision along their journey.

The thread — The paternal language connects directly to Exodus 4:22, where God declares Israel His firstborn son, and Jeremiah 3:4, where the people address Him as Father from youth. The gathering theme continues in Jeremiah 31:10, where the One who scattered Israel is described as gathering and keeping them like a shepherd.

Why it lands — The passage requires readers to acknowledge that God’s leadership follows genuine repentance and that His paternal commitment guarantees a secure return. It demands a practical response of trust in His guidance and provision rather than reliance on human strength.

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

בִּבְכִ֣יbi/v.Khiwith/ weeping יָבֹ֗אוּya.Vo.'uthey will come וּֽבְתַחֲנוּנִים֮u./ve./ta.cha.nu.Nimand/ with/ supplications אֽוֹבִילֵם֒'oi.Le/mI will bring/ them אֽוֹלִיכֵם֙'o.li.Khe/mI will lead/ them אֶל־'el-to נַ֣חֲלֵיNa.cha.leitorrents of מַ֔יִםMa.yimwater בְּדֶ֣רֶךְbe./De.rekhon/ a path יָשָׁ֔רya.Sharstraight לֹ֥אlo'not יִכָּשְׁל֖וּyi.ka.she.Luthey will stumbleבָּ֑הּBa/hin <the>/ itכִּֽי־ki-for הָיִ֤יתִיha.Yi.tiI have become לְיִשְׂרָאֵל֙le./Yis.ra.'Elof/ Israel לְאָ֔בle./'Av<into>/ a father וְאֶפְרַ֖יִםve./'ef.Ra.yimand/ Ephraim בְּכֹ֥רִיbe.Kho.r/i[is] firstborn/ my הֽוּא׃ סHu'he

King James Version

They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.

Cross-references

Exodus 4:22 Then tell Pharaoh that this is what the LORD says: ‘Israel is My firstborn son,
Jeremiah 3:4 Have you not just called to Me, ‘My Father, You are my friend from youth.
Jeremiah 31:20 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.
Jeremiah 50:4 “In those days and at that time, declares the LORD, the children of Israel and the children of Judah will come together, weeping as they come, and will seek the LORD their God.
Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Isaiah 64:8 But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand.
Jeremiah 3:19 Then I said, ‘How I long to make you My sons and give you a desirable land, the most beautiful inheritance of all the nations!’ I thought you would call Me ‘Father’ and never turn away from following Me.
Deuteronomy 32:6 Is this how you repay the LORD, O foolish and senseless people? Is He not your Father and Creator? Has He not made you and established you?
1 Chronicles 29:10 Then David blessed the LORD in the sight of all the assembly and said: “May You be blessed, O LORD, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.
Psalms 23:2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.