Jeremiah 31:35
Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name:
Original Language Analysis
כֹּ֣ה׀
H3541
כֹּ֣ה׀
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
1 of 19
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֥ה
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
נֹתֵ֥ן
which giveth
H5414
נֹתֵ֥ן
which giveth
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
4 of 19
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
שֶׁ֙מֶשׁ֙
the sun
H8121
שֶׁ֙מֶשׁ֙
the sun
Strong's:
H8121
Word #:
5 of 19
the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement
לְא֣וֹר
for a light
H216
לְא֣וֹר
for a light
Strong's:
H216
Word #:
6 of 19
illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
וְכוֹכָבִ֖ים
and of the stars
H3556
וְכוֹכָבִ֖ים
and of the stars
Strong's:
H3556
Word #:
10 of 19
a star (as round or as shining); figuratively, a prince
לְא֣וֹר
for a light
H216
לְא֣וֹר
for a light
Strong's:
H216
Word #:
11 of 19
illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
לָ֑יְלָה
by night
H3915
לָ֑יְלָה
by night
Strong's:
H3915
Word #:
12 of 19
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
רֹגַ֤ע
which divideth
H7280
רֹגַ֤ע
which divideth
Strong's:
H7280
Word #:
13 of 19
properly, to toss violently and suddenly (the sea with waves, the skin with boils); figuratively (in a favorable manner) to settle, i.e., quiet; speci
הַיָּם֙
the sea
H3220
הַיָּם֙
the sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
14 of 19
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
וַיֶּהֱמ֣וּ
thereof roar
H1993
וַיֶּהֱמ֣וּ
thereof roar
Strong's:
H1993
Word #:
15 of 19
to make a loud sound (like english 'hum'); by implication, to be in great commotion or tumult, to rage, war, moan, clamor
גַלָּ֔יו
when the waves
H1530
גַלָּ֔יו
when the waves
Strong's:
H1530
Word #:
16 of 19
something rolled, i.e., a heap of stone or dung (plural ruins), by analogy, a spring of water (plural waves)
יְהוָ֥ה
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
17 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Isaiah 51:15But I am the LORD thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The LORD of hosts is his name.Jeremiah 10:16The portion of Jacob is not like them: for he is the former of all things; and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: The LORD of hosts is his name.Isaiah 63:12That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name?Jeremiah 32:18Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is his name,Jeremiah 46:18As I live, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts, Surely as Tabor is among the mountains, and as Carmel by the sea, so shall he come.Jeremiah 50:34Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name: he shall throughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the land, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.Deuteronomy 4:19And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.
Historical Context
During the exile, it appeared God had abandoned Israel. The temple was destroyed, the land empty, the people scattered. Yet Jeremiah insists God's covenant remains. The physical ordinances of sun, moon, and sea testified that God had not abandoned His promises. This encouraged the faithful remnant to trust God's word despite contrary appearances. Faith believes God's promise even when circumstances seem to contradict it.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's faithfulness in maintaining creation's order assure us of His faithfulness to keep covenant promises?
- What does it mean that God's covenant with Israel is as permanent as the sun and moon—how does this inform our understanding of God's purposes for ethnic Israel?
- How should creation's reliable order increase our confidence in God's promises to believers in Christ?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God appeals to the fixed order of creation—sun by day, moon and stars by night, the sea's waves—to guarantee His covenant promises. These natural laws are utterly reliable; the sun rises every morning without fail. God stakes His covenant faithfulness on this same certainty. As long as these ordinances remain (which is forever), Israel will remain a nation before God. This is an unconditional promise grounded in God's unchanging character and sovereign control over creation.
The theological point is that God's covenant with Israel is as permanent and unbreakable as the laws of nature. Despite Israel's unfaithfulness, despite judgment and exile, God will not utterly cast them away. A remnant will always exist; God's purposes for Israel will be fulfilled. Paul develops this in Romans 11:1-2: 'Hath God cast away his people? God forbid.' God's gifts and calling are irrevocable (Romans 11:29).
This grounding of covenant promise in creation's order connects God's redemptive work with His work as Creator. The God who sustains the cosmos by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:3) is the same God who keeps covenant promises. His word in creation and His word in promise are equally reliable. When God speaks, whether to command light to shine or to promise salvation, His word accomplishes what He intends (Isaiah 55:10-11).