Jeremiah 31:4

Authorized King James Version

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Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry.

Original Language Analysis

ע֤וֹד H5750
ע֤וֹד
Strong's: H5750
Word #: 1 of 11
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
וְֽנִבְנֵ֔ית Again I will build H1129
וְֽנִבְנֵ֔ית Again I will build
Strong's: H1129
Word #: 2 of 11
to build (literally and figuratively)
וְֽנִבְנֵ֔ית Again I will build H1129
וְֽנִבְנֵ֔ית Again I will build
Strong's: H1129
Word #: 3 of 11
to build (literally and figuratively)
בְּתוּלַ֖ת O virgin H1330
בְּתוּלַ֖ת O virgin
Strong's: H1330
Word #: 4 of 11
a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a city or state
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 5 of 11
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
ע֚וֹד H5750
ע֚וֹד
Strong's: H5750
Word #: 6 of 11
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
תַּעְדִּ֣י thou shalt again be adorned H5710
תַּעְדִּ֣י thou shalt again be adorned
Strong's: H5710
Word #: 7 of 11
to advance, i.e., pass on or continue; causatively, to remove; specifically, to bedeck (i.e., bring an ornament upon)
תֻפַּ֔יִךְ with thy tabrets H8596
תֻפַּ֔יִךְ with thy tabrets
Strong's: H8596
Word #: 8 of 11
a tambourine
וְיָצָ֖את and shalt go forth H3318
וְיָצָ֖את and shalt go forth
Strong's: H3318
Word #: 9 of 11
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
בִּמְח֥וֹל in the dances H4234
בִּמְח֥וֹל in the dances
Strong's: H4234
Word #: 10 of 11
a (round) dance
מְשַׂחֲקִֽים׃ of them that make merry H7832
מְשַׂחֲקִֽים׃ of them that make merry
Strong's: H7832
Word #: 11 of 11
to laugh (in pleasure or detraction); by implication, to play

Analysis & Commentary

Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel—the double emphasis עוֹד אֶבְנֵךְ וְנִבְנֵית (od evnekh v'nivneit, 'again I will build you and you shall be built') combines divine action with resultant state. God as builder (cf. Psalm 127:1) reverses His role as demolisher (Jeremiah 1:10). The title virgin of Israel (בְּתוּלַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, betulat Yisrael) paradoxically addresses a nation whose spiritual adultery filled Jeremiah's earlier oracles (chapters 2-3). Grace restores virginity, a foreshadowing of Christ making His bride 'without spot or wrinkle' (Ephesians 5:27).

Thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances—the תֻּפִּים (tuppim, tambourines) and מְחוֹל (mechol, circle dances) recall Miriam celebrating exodus (Exodus 15:20). Restoration means return to joy, not mere survival. God's salvation aims at dancing daughters, not merely breathing exiles.

Historical Context

Chapter 31, the 'Book of Consolation,' promises restoration after the 70 years' captivity (written circa 587 BC). The imagery reverses judgment oracles: where God demolished (1:10), He now builds; where harlotry defiled (chapter 3), virginity is restored. These prophecies found initial fulfillment in the post-exilic return (538 BC onward) but reach ultimate fulfillment in Christ's new covenant (31:31-34).

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