Jeremiah 31:37
Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
כֹּ֣ה׀
H3541
כֹּ֣ה׀
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
יְהוָֽה׃
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֽה׃
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
4 of 23
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יִמַּ֤דּוּ
can be measured
H4058
יִמַּ֤דּוּ
can be measured
Strong's:
H4058
Word #:
5 of 23
properly, to stretch; by implication, to measure (as if by stretching a line); figuratively, to be extended
שָׁמַ֙יִם֙
If heaven
H8064
שָׁמַ֙יִם֙
If heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
6 of 23
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
מִלְמַ֔עְלָה
above
H4605
מִלְמַ֔עְלָה
above
Strong's:
H4605
Word #:
7 of 23
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
וְיֵחָקְר֥וּ
searched out
H2713
וְיֵחָקְר֥וּ
searched out
Strong's:
H2713
Word #:
8 of 23
properly, to penetrate; hence, to examine intimately
לְמָ֑טָּה
beneath
H4295
לְמָ֑טָּה
beneath
Strong's:
H4295
Word #:
11 of 23
downward, below or beneath; often adverbially with or without prefixes
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
12 of 23
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
אֶמְאַ֨ס
I will also cast off
H3988
אֶמְאַ֨ס
I will also cast off
Strong's:
H3988
Word #:
14 of 23
to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
15 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
זֶ֧רַע
all the seed
H2233
זֶ֧רַע
all the seed
Strong's:
H2233
Word #:
16 of 23
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
17 of 23
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
עַֽל
H5921
עַֽל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
18 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
19 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
20 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Isaiah 40:12Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?Jeremiah 33:22As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David my servant, and the Levites that minister unto me.
Historical Context
Written to exiles who felt God had abandoned them after Jerusalem's destruction (586 BC), this verse follows the New Covenant promise (vv. 31-36). Ancient Near Eastern suzerain treaties often included permanence clauses tied to cosmic order—Jeremiah invokes this form to guarantee Israel's survival despite judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- What current circumstances tempt you to believe God has abandoned His promises to you?
- How does the immutability of physical creation reflect the unchangeability of God's covenantal character?
- In what ways does this verse inform Paul's argument in Romans 9-11 about Israel's future?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
If heaven above can be measured (אִם־יִמַּדּוּ שָׁמַיִם מִלְמַעְלָה)—God stakes Israel's security on physical impossibilities. The verb madad (מָדַד, to measure) appears in creation contexts—God 'measured' the waters in His hand (Isaiah 40:12). The parallel structure intensifies: measuring the immeasurable heavens, searching out unsearchable foundations of the earth (מוֹסְדֵי־אֶרֶץ, mosedei-eretz).
I will also cast off all the seed of Israel—the zera' (seed, זֶרַע) recalls the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 13:16, 15:5). God essentially says: 'My covenant with Abraham's offspring is as unbreakable as creation's structure.' This answers Israel's despairing question in exile: 'Has God abandoned us?' The New Covenant (vv. 31-34) doesn't replace but fulfills God's irrevocable election (Romans 11:1-2, 28-29).