Jeremiah Chapter 31 · Verse 20
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.
Original Language Analysis
הֲבֵן֩
son
H1121
הֲבֵן֩
son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
1 of 23
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אֶפְרַ֗יִם
Is Ephraim
H669
אֶפְרַ֗יִם
Is Ephraim
Strong's:
H669
Word #:
4 of 23
ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
אִ֚ם
H518
אִ֚ם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
5 of 23
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
8 of 23
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מִדֵּ֤י
for since
H1767
מִדֵּ֤י
for since
Strong's:
H1767
Word #:
9 of 23
enough (as noun or adverb), used chiefly with preposition in phrases
דַבְּרִי֙
I spake
H1696
דַבְּרִי֙
I spake
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
10 of 23
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
אֶזְכְּרֶ֖נּוּ
against him I do earnestly
H2142
אֶזְכְּרֶ֖נּוּ
against him I do earnestly
Strong's:
H2142
Word #:
12 of 23
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
אֶזְכְּרֶ֖נּוּ
against him I do earnestly
H2142
אֶזְכְּרֶ֖נּוּ
against him I do earnestly
Strong's:
H2142
Word #:
13 of 23
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
ע֑וֹד
H5750
ע֑וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
14 of 23
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
15 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כֵּ֗ן
H3651
כֵּ֗ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
16 of 23
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
הָמ֤וּ
are troubled
H1993
הָמ֤וּ
are troubled
Strong's:
H1993
Word #:
17 of 23
to make a loud sound (like english 'hum'); by implication, to be in great commotion or tumult, to rage, war, moan, clamor
מֵעַי֙
him still therefore my bowels
H4578
מֵעַי֙
him still therefore my bowels
Strong's:
H4578
Word #:
18 of 23
used only in plural the intestines, or (collectively) the abdomen, figuratively, sympathy; by implication, a vest; by extension the stomach, the uteru
אֲֽרַחֲמֶ֖נּוּ
for him I will surely
H7355
אֲֽרַחֲמֶ֖נּוּ
for him I will surely
Strong's:
H7355
Word #:
20 of 23
to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate
Cross References
Isaiah 55:7Let 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 63:15Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?Psalms 103:13Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.Hosea 14:4I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.Judges 10:16And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the LORD: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.Isaiah 16:11Wherefore my bowels shall sound like an harp for Moab, and mine inward parts for Kir-haresh.Jeremiah 48:36Therefore mine heart shall sound for Moab like pipes, and mine heart shall sound like pipes for the men of Kir-heres: because the riches that he hath gotten are perished.Luke 15:24For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.Philippians 1:8For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
Historical Context
Throughout Israel's rebellion, God's prophets revealed His grief over their unfaithfulness. God describes Himself as a husband whose wife committed adultery (Hosea), a father whose children rebelled (Isaiah 1:2), a vineyard owner whose vineyard produced wild grapes (Isaiah 5). These metaphors show God's genuine sorrow over sin and His persistent love despite betrayal. This sets the stage for understanding Christ's tears over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41) and His willingness to die for enemies (Romans 5:8).
Questions for Reflection
- How does this passage help us understand the relationship between God's judgment of sin and His love for sinners?
- What does it mean that God 'earnestly remembers' His people even while disciplining them?
- How should God's persistent fatherly love for rebellious Israel encourage believers struggling with assurance of salvation?
Analysis & Commentary
Despite pronouncing judgment on Ephraim, God's fatherly love remains. The rhetorical questions—'Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child?'—expect affirmative answers: Yes! Though God spoke against Ephraim in judgment, He earnestly remembers him still. The Hebrew intensifies this: zakhor ezkerenu (זָכֹר אֶזְכְּרֶנּוּ)—'remembering, I remember him'—emphasizing constant, affectionate remembrance. God's 'bowels' (inner being, compassion) are 'troubled' for Ephraim, showing deep emotional connection. The conclusion: 'I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD.'
This passage reveals the tension in God's heart (anthropomorphically speaking)—the necessity of judging sin conflicts with His fatherly love for His rebellious children. Yet mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13). God's love is not sentimental tolerance of sin; He truly judges and disciplines. But His ultimate purpose is restoration, not destruction. The exile was meant to bring Israel back, not cast them away forever.
This theology grounds Christian assurance. Those whom God loves, He loves to the end (John 13:1). Though He disciplines His children (Hebrews 12:5-11), He never stops loving them or remembering them. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38-39). Even God's anger at sin is temporary, but His love endures forever (Psalm 103:8-10).