Jeremiah 30:18
Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob's tents, and have mercy on his dwellingplaces; and the city shall be builded upon her own heap, and the palace shall remain after the manner thereof.
Original Language Analysis
כֹּ֣ה׀
H3541
כֹּ֣ה׀
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
1 of 18
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֗ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
שָׁב֙
Behold I will bring again
H7725
שָׁב֙
Behold I will bring again
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
5 of 18
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
שְׁבוּת֙
the captivity
H7622
שְׁבוּת֙
the captivity
Strong's:
H7622
Word #:
6 of 18
exile, concretely, prisoners; figuratively, a former state of prosperity
וּמִשְׁכְּנֹתָ֖יו
on his dwellingplaces
H4908
וּמִשְׁכְּנֹתָ֖יו
on his dwellingplaces
Strong's:
H4908
Word #:
9 of 18
a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the temple); specifically, the tabernacle (properly, its w
אֲרַחֵ֑ם
and have mercy
H7355
אֲרַחֵ֑ם
and have mercy
Strong's:
H7355
Word #:
10 of 18
to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate
וְנִבְנְתָ֥ה
shall be builded
H1129
וְנִבְנְתָ֥ה
shall be builded
Strong's:
H1129
Word #:
11 of 18
to build (literally and figuratively)
עִיר֙
and the city
H5892
עִיר֙
and the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
12 of 18
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 18
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
16 of 18
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Psalms 102:13Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.Jeremiah 30:3For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.Jeremiah 33:7And I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to return, and will build them, as at the first.Jeremiah 49:39But it shall come to pass in the latter days, that I will bring again the captivity of Elam, saith the LORD.Jeremiah 23:3And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.Zechariah 1:16Therefore thus saith the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.Jeremiah 46:27But fear not thou, O my servant Jacob, and be not dismayed, O Israel: for, behold, I will save thee from afar off, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and be in rest and at ease, and none shall make him afraid.Jeremiah 49:6And afterward I will bring again the captivity of the children of Ammon, saith the LORD.Isaiah 44:26That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof:Jeremiah 31:4Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry.
Historical Context
This prophecy sustained Jewish hope through 70 years of exile. Cyrus's decree (Ezra 1:1-4) began fulfillment, though full restoration awaited the Messiah and new covenant era.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'heaps of rubble' in your spiritual life need God's rebuilding work?
- How does God's 'womb-compassion' (racham) comfort you in times of discipline?
- In what ways is the new Jerusalem the ultimate fulfillment of all restoration promises?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
I will bring again the captivity (שָׁבְתִּי שְׁבוּת, 'shavti shevut')—this 'restoration of fortunes' wordplay signals covenant renewal. Jacob's tents (אָהֳלֵי יַעֲקֹב, 'oholei ya'akov') evokes patriarchal promises, while have mercy on his dwellingplaces uses רָחַם ('racham', womb-love/compassion) for God's tender restoration.
The city shall be builded upon her own heap (עַל תִּלָּהּ תִּבָּנֶה עִיר, 'al tillah tibaneh ir')—Jerusalem would rise from ruins (תֵּל, 'tel', mound of ancient rubble). Partially fulfilled in 538 BC return, ultimately fulfilled in new Jerusalem (Rev 21:2-3) built on resurrection ground.