Jeremiah 31:23
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As yet they shall use this speech in the land of Judah and in the cities thereof, when I shall bring again their captivity; The LORD bless thee, O habitation of justice, and mountain of holiness.
Original Language Analysis
כֹּֽה
H3541
כֹּֽה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
1 of 23
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֛ה
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָאוֹת֙
of hosts
H6635
צְבָאוֹת֙
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
4 of 23
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
the God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
the God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
5 of 23
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
6 of 23
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
ע֣וֹד
H5750
ע֣וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
7 of 23
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַדָּבָ֣ר
this speech
H1697
הַדָּבָ֣ר
this speech
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
10 of 23
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
הַזֶּ֗ה
H2088
יְהוּדָה֙
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָה֙
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
13 of 23
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
וּבְעָרָ֔יו
and in the cities
H5892
וּבְעָרָ֔יו
and in the cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
14 of 23
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
בְּשׁוּבִ֖י
thereof when I shall bring again
H7725
בְּשׁוּבִ֖י
thereof when I shall bring again
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
15 of 23
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שְׁבוּתָ֑ם
their captivity
H7622
שְׁבוּתָ֑ם
their captivity
Strong's:
H7622
Word #:
17 of 23
exile, concretely, prisoners; figuratively, a former state of prosperity
יְבָרֶכְךָ֧
bless
H1288
יְבָרֶכְךָ֧
bless
Strong's:
H1288
Word #:
18 of 23
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
יְהוָ֛ה
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
19 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
נְוֵה
thee O habitation
H5116
נְוֵה
thee O habitation
Strong's:
H5116
Word #:
20 of 23
(adjectively) at home; hence (by implication of satisfaction) lovely; also (noun) a home, of god (temple), men (residence), flocks (pasture), or wild
צֶ֖דֶק
of justice
H6664
צֶ֖דֶק
of justice
Strong's:
H6664
Word #:
21 of 23
the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity
Cross References
Zechariah 8:3Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain.Isaiah 1:26And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.Jeremiah 50:7All that found them have devoured them: and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of justice, even the LORD, the hope of their fathers.
Historical Context
The returned exiles did rebuild Jerusalem and the temple, and worship resumed. However, the city remained under foreign control and never achieved the glory envisioned by the prophets during the Second Temple period. This pointed forward to the true fulfillment in Christ, who established a new temple (His body and the church), gathered a new people, and promised a new Jerusalem descending from heaven (Revelation 21:2).
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean for Jerusalem to be a 'habitation of justice'—how should God's people embody justice in their communities?
- How is the church both the partial fulfillment of this promise now and awaiting its complete fulfillment in the new creation?
- In what ways does restoration include not just rebuilding physical structures but establishing righteousness and holiness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God promises that Jerusalem and its surrounding cities will again pronounce a blessing over Zion: 'The LORD bless thee, O habitation of justice, and mountain of holiness.' The title 'habitation of justice' contrasts with the corrupt city that oppressed the poor and perverted justice. The restoration will not merely rebuild structures but establish righteousness. The 'mountain of holiness' refers to the temple mount, which will again be the place where God dwells and His people worship in holiness.
This vision of Jerusalem as a place of justice and holiness points beyond the historical return to the ultimate city of God. Revelation 21-22 describes the new Jerusalem where nothing unclean enters, where God dwells with His people, and where justice perfectly reigns. The church is presently this 'habitation of justice' insofar as it embodies righteousness and worships in spirit and truth. Yet the full realization awaits Christ's return.
The phrase 'as yet they shall use this speech' indicates that blessing will replace cursing. Jerusalem had become a byword of destruction and judgment (Jeremiah 24:9), but it will again be associated with God's favor. This reflects the biblical pattern: what God judges, He ultimately restores and blesses. His purposes are always redemptive, even when they include judgment.