Jeremiah Chapter 31 · Verse 27
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast.
Original Language Analysis
יָמִ֥ים
Behold the days
H3117
יָמִ֥ים
Behold the days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
2 of 16
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְזָרַעְתִּ֗י
that I will sow
H2232
וְזָרַעְתִּ֗י
that I will sow
Strong's:
H2232
Word #:
6 of 16
to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בֵּ֣ית
and the house
H1004
בֵּ֣ית
and the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
8 of 16
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
9 of 16
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בֵּ֣ית
and the house
H1004
בֵּ֣ית
and the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
11 of 16
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יְהוּדָ֔ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֔ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
12 of 16
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
וְזֶ֥רַע
and with the seed
H2233
וְזֶ֥רַע
and with the seed
Strong's:
H2233
Word #:
13 of 16
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
אָדָ֖ם
of man
H120
אָדָ֖ם
of man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
14 of 16
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
Cross References
Hosea 2:23And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.Ezekiel 36:11And I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bring fruit: and I will settle you after your old estates, and will do better unto you than at your beginnings: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.Ezekiel 36:9For, behold, I am for you, and I will turn unto you, and ye shall be tilled and sown:Zechariah 10:9And I will sow them among the people: and they shall remember me in far countries; and they shall live with their children, and turn again.
Historical Context
By Jeremiah's time, the northern kingdom (Israel) had been exiled for over a century by Assyria (722 BC), and Judah faced Babylonian exile (586 BC). The land would be depopulated, cities ruined, livestock slaughtered. This promise of 'sowing' addressed that devastation—God would repopulate the land with both people and animals. The post-exilic return saw partial fulfillment as Jews returned to Judea, but the northern tribes largely remained scattered. Full restoration of all twelve tribes awaits Christ's return (Matthew 19:28, Acts 3:21, Romans 11:25-26).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the imagery of God 'sowing' His people like seed demonstrate both His sovereignty and His covenant faithfulness?
- What does the inclusion of both Israel and Judah teach about God's comprehensive plan of restoration for all His people?
- In what ways does Jesus's parable of the sower illustrate the New Testament fulfillment of God 'sowing' His kingdom?
Analysis & Commentary
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast. God announces a new prophetic oracle with the standard formula 'the days come, saith the LORD' (hineh yamim ba'im ne'um-YHWH), marking a future divine intervention. The central image is agricultural: 'I will sow' (ezra, אֶזְרַע) the land with both human and animal seed. This reverses the desolation of judgment when the land was stripped of inhabitants and livestock.
The verb zara (זָרַע, to sow/scatter seed) is covenant language. God promised Abraham his 'seed' (zera, זֶרַע) would be as numerous as stars (Genesis 15:5). After exile's devastation—when the population was decimated and herds destroyed—God promises to 'sow' His people back into the land, causing multiplication. Both 'house of Israel' (northern kingdom, exiled 722 BC) and 'house of Judah' (southern kingdom, exiled 586 BC) will be restored. This comprehensive regathering of all twelve tribes points to messianic fulfillment.
Paul uses seed imagery for resurrection and the church's growth (1 Corinthians 15:36-38, 2 Corinthians 9:10). Jesus's parable of the sower shows God scattering seed (the gospel) to produce abundant harvest (Matthew 13:1-23). The ultimate fulfillment is the New Creation, where God's people multiply eternally in the renewed earth (Revelation 21:3-4).