Jeremiah Chapter 31 · Verse 23

Authorized King James Version

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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
יֹאמְר֞וּ As yet they shall use H559
יֹאמְר֞וּ As yet they shall use
Strong's: H559
Word #: 2 of 23
to say (used with great latitude)
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
יֹאמְר֞וּ As yet they shall use H559
יֹאמְר֞וּ As yet they shall use
Strong's: H559
Word #: 8 of 23
to say (used with great latitude)
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
הַזֶּ֗ה
Strong's: H2088
Word #: 11 of 23
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
בְּאֶ֤רֶץ in the land H776
בְּאֶ֤רֶץ in the land
Strong's: H776
Word #: 12 of 23
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
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
הַ֥ר and mountain H2022
הַ֥ר and mountain
Strong's: H2022
Word #: 22 of 23
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
הַקֹּֽדֶשׁ׃ of holiness H6944
הַקֹּֽדֶשׁ׃ of holiness
Strong's: H6944
Word #: 23 of 23
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

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.

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