Jeremiah 31:20

Authorized King James Version

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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
יַקִּ֨יר my dear H3357
יַקִּ֨יר my dear
Strong's: H3357
Word #: 2 of 23
precious
לִ֜י H0
לִ֜י
Strong's: H0
Word #: 3 of 23
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
יֶ֣לֶד child H3206
יֶ֣לֶד child
Strong's: H3206
Word #: 6 of 23
something born, i.e., a lad or offspring
שַׁעֲשֻׁעִ֔ים is he a pleasant H8191
שַׁעֲשֻׁעִ֔ים is he a pleasant
Strong's: H8191
Word #: 7 of 23
enjoyment
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
בּ֔וֹ H0
בּ֔וֹ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 11 of 23
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
ל֔וֹ H0
ל֔וֹ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 19 of 23
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
אֲֽרַחֲמֶ֖נּוּ for him I will surely H7355
אֲֽרַחֲמֶ֖נּוּ for him I will surely
Strong's: H7355
Word #: 21 of 23
to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate
נְאֻם upon him saith H5002
נְאֻם upon him saith
Strong's: H5002
Word #: 22 of 23
an oracle
יְהוָֽה׃ the LORD H3068
יְהוָֽה׃ the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 23 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

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).

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).

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