Jeremiah 31:22
How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the LORD hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man.
Original Language Analysis
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
1 of 13
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
מָתַי֙
H4970
מָתַי֙
Strong's:
H4970
Word #:
2 of 13
properly, extent (of time); but used only adverbially (especially with other particle prefixes), when (either relative or interrogative)
תִּתְחַמָּקִ֔ין
How long wilt thou go about
H2559
תִּתְחַמָּקִ֔ין
How long wilt thou go about
Strong's:
H2559
Word #:
3 of 13
properly, to wrap; hence, to depart (i.e., turn about)
הַבַּ֖ת
daughter
H1323
הַבַּ֖ת
daughter
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
4 of 13
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
הַשּֽׁוֹבֵבָ֑ה
O thou backsliding
H7728
הַשּֽׁוֹבֵבָ֑ה
O thou backsliding
Strong's:
H7728
Word #:
5 of 13
apostate, i.e., heathenish or (actually) heathen
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
6 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בָרָ֨א
hath created
H1254
בָרָ֨א
hath created
Strong's:
H1254
Word #:
7 of 13
(absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes)
יְהוָ֤ה
for the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֤ה
for the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Jeremiah 49:4Wherefore gloriest thou in the valleys, thy flowing valley, O backsliding daughter? that trusted in her treasures, saying, Who shall come unto me?Isaiah 7:14Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.Jeremiah 2:23How canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim? see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done: thou art a swift dromedary traversing her ways;Jeremiah 2:36Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way? thou also shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast ashamed of Assyria.Jeremiah 3:22Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the LORD our God.Jeremiah 7:24But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.Jeremiah 2:18And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river?Jeremiah 4:14O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?Jeremiah 3:6The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.Genesis 3:15And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Historical Context
This verse sits at the heart of Jeremiah's 'Book of Consolation' (chapters 30-33), transitioning from promises of return to promises of the New Covenant. The 'new thing' God creates transcends mere return from Babylon—it requires divine intervention creating new hearts (v. 33), new relationship with God, and ultimately a new creation. The virgin birth represents the supreme 'new thing'—God becoming man, inaugurating the New Covenant in His blood. The early church fathers unanimously interpreted this verse messianically, seeing Mary's conception of Jesus as the unprecedented 'woman encompassing a man.'
Questions for Reflection
- How does our tendency to 'go about' (waver in commitment) delay experiencing God's 'new thing' for our lives?
- What does it mean that God must 'create' (bara) something new rather than merely improve what exists?
- In what ways does the virgin birth and incarnation represent the ultimate 'new thing' that reverses the curse and enables covenant restoration?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the LORD hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man. This enigmatic verse challenges Israel's wavering and announces unprecedented divine action. How long wilt thou go about uses chamaq (חָמַק), meaning to turn away, wander aimlessly, or avoid. God confronts Israel's indecision—oscillating between repentance and rebellion, unable to commit. O thou backsliding daughter (הַבַּת הַשּׁוֹבֵבָה, ha-bat ha-shovevah) uses shuv in its negative sense: apostate, wayward, turning away from covenant.
For the LORD hath created a new thing in the earth announces divine initiative that breaks historical patterns. Created (bara, בָּרָא) is the same verb used in Genesis 1:1—God bringing into existence what previously did not exist. A new thing (chadashah, חֲדָשָׁה, feminine) is unprecedented, not mere repetition. The phrase A woman shall compass a man (נְקֵבָה תְּסוֹבֵב גָּבֶר, neqevah tesovev gaver) has challenged interpreters for millennia. Tesovev (surround, encompass, protect) and the reversal of normal gender roles suggest radical new reality.
Christian interpretation traditionally sees messianic prophecy: the virgin birth, where a woman (Mary) encompasses/contains the man (Christ the God-man) in her womb. Others see the new covenant reversing Israel's unfaithfulness—the weak (woman) protecting the strong (man) pictures God's transforming power. The 'new thing' is certainly the New Covenant of vv. 31-34, inaugurated by Christ.