Jeremiah 31:36
If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.
Original Language Analysis
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 16
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יָמֻ֜שׁוּ
depart
H4185
יָמֻ֜שׁוּ
depart
Strong's:
H4185
Word #:
2 of 16
to withdraw (both literally and figuratively, whether intransitive or transitive)
הַחֻקִּ֥ים
If those ordinances
H2706
הַחֻקִּ֥ים
If those ordinances
Strong's:
H2706
Word #:
3 of 16
an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)
לְפָנַ֖י
before
H6440
לְפָנַ֖י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
5 of 16
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
גַּם֩
H1571
גַּם֩
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
8 of 16
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
זֶ֨רַע
then the seed
H2233
זֶ֨רַע
then the seed
Strong's:
H2233
Word #:
9 of 16
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
10 of 16
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
יִשְׁבְּת֗וּ
also shall cease
H7673
יִשְׁבְּת֗וּ
also shall cease
Strong's:
H7673
Word #:
11 of 16
to repose, i.e., desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative, figurative or specific)
מִֽהְי֥וֹת
H1961
מִֽהְי֥וֹת
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
12 of 16
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
גּ֛וֹי
from being a nation
H1471
גּ֛וֹי
from being a nation
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
13 of 16
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
לְפָנַ֖י
before
H6440
לְפָנַ֖י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
14 of 16
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
Historical Context
Throughout history, attempts have been made to destroy the Jewish people—from Pharaoh to Haman to Antiochus to Hitler. Yet they persist, against all odds. This survival testifies to God's covenant faithfulness. Even when most Jews rejected Jesus as Messiah, a remnant believed (Romans 11:5), and the gospel went to Gentiles. Yet Paul insists God has not rejected His people (Romans 11:1), and all Israel will be saved (Romans 11:26).
Questions for Reflection
- How should we understand God's irrevocable covenant with Israel in light of the church as God's people including Gentiles?
- What does the Jewish people's continued existence throughout history reveal about God's covenant faithfulness?
- How does understanding Israel's permanence inform our interpretation of biblical prophecy and eschatology?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This verse completes the thought from verse 35: only if the sun, moon, and stars cease their courses will Israel cease to be a nation before God. This is an impossibility—therefore Israel's continuation is certain. The phrase 'seed of Israel' refers to the covenant people, the descendants of Jacob. God promises their perpetual existence, regardless of human unfaithfulness or historical catastrophes.
This raises important theological questions about Israel's continuing role in God's purposes. Reformed theology has wrestled with how this relates to the church. Some see the church as the 'new Israel' that completely replaces ethnic Israel. Others see a continuing distinction, with God's purposes for ethnic Israel distinct from but related to the church. Romans 9-11 addresses these questions, affirming that God's gifts and calling regarding Israel are irrevocable, yet also that Gentiles are grafted into the people of God.
The safest interpretation affirms both/and: the church (including both Jewish and Gentile believers) is the fulfillment of Israel's purpose as God's people, yet this does not negate God's continuing purposes for ethnic Israel. All true Israel is saved (Romans 11:26)—both the believing remnant from ethnic Israel and Gentiles brought in through faith. The permanence promised here ultimately applies to all who are in Christ, the true seed of Abraham (Galatians 3:29).