Jeremiah 31:9

Authorized King James Version

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They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.

Original Language Analysis

בִּבְכִ֣י with weeping H1065
בִּבְכִ֣י with weeping
Strong's: H1065
Word #: 1 of 20
a weeping; by analogy, a dripping
יָבֹ֗אוּ They shall come H935
יָבֹ֗אוּ They shall come
Strong's: H935
Word #: 2 of 20
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
וּֽבְתַחֲנוּנִים֮ and with supplications H8469
וּֽבְתַחֲנוּנִים֮ and with supplications
Strong's: H8469
Word #: 3 of 20
earnest prayer
אֽוֹבִילֵם֒ will I lead H2986
אֽוֹבִילֵם֒ will I lead
Strong's: H2986
Word #: 4 of 20
properly, to flow; causatively, to bring (especially with pomp)
אֽוֹלִיכֵם֙ H1980
אֽוֹלִיכֵם֙
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 5 of 20
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 6 of 20
near, with or among; often in general, to
נַ֣חֲלֵי by the rivers H5158
נַ֣חֲלֵי by the rivers
Strong's: H5158
Word #: 7 of 20
a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)
מַ֔יִם of waters H4325
מַ֔יִם of waters
Strong's: H4325
Word #: 8 of 20
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ way H1870
בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ way
Strong's: H1870
Word #: 9 of 20
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
יָשָׁ֔ר in a straight H3477
יָשָׁ֔ר in a straight
Strong's: H3477
Word #: 10 of 20
straight (literally or figuratively)
לֹ֥א H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 11 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִכָּשְׁל֖וּ wherein they shall not stumble H3782
יִכָּשְׁל֖וּ wherein they shall not stumble
Strong's: H3782
Word #: 12 of 20
to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall
בָּ֑הּ H0
בָּ֑הּ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 13 of 20
כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 14 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הָיִ֤יתִי H1961
הָיִ֤יתִי
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 15 of 20
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְיִשְׂרָאֵל֙ to Israel H3478
לְיִשְׂרָאֵל֙ to Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 16 of 20
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לְאָ֔ב for I am a father H1
לְאָ֔ב for I am a father
Strong's: H1
Word #: 17 of 20
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וְאֶפְרַ֖יִם and Ephraim H669
וְאֶפְרַ֖יִם and Ephraim
Strong's: H669
Word #: 18 of 20
ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
בְּכֹ֥רִי is my firstborn H1060
בְּכֹ֥רִי is my firstborn
Strong's: H1060
Word #: 19 of 20
first-born; hence, chief
הֽוּא׃ H1931
הֽוּא׃
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 20 of 20
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

Analysis & Commentary

God describes the remnant's return: they come weeping with supplications (prayers), and God Himself leads them. These are tears of repentance, grief over sin, and joy at restoration. The phrase 'I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters' promises provision during their journey—unlike the historical return which faced hardship, the ultimate restoration will lack nothing. 'In a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble' assures that God removes obstacles and guides perfectly.

The declaration 'I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn' is profoundly tender. Despite Israel's rebellion, God remains their Father. Ephraim (representing the northern kingdom) is called 'firstborn'—the favored son receiving the inheritance. This shows that God's fatherly love transcends their unfaithfulness. He does not relate to them based on their merit but on His covenant commitment and paternal affection.

This fatherhood theme is central to the gospel. Jesus taught us to pray 'Our Father' and revealed God's fatherly heart through the prodigal son parable (Luke 15:11-32). Paul emphasizes that believers receive 'the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father' (Romans 8:15). God's relationship with His people is not merely contractual (covenant) but familial (father-child). This changes everything—we obey not from fear but from love, and we approach God with confidence as beloved children.

Historical Context

The historical return from Babylon was difficult—opposition from surrounding peoples, poverty, and the challenge of rebuilding (Ezra and Nehemiah chronicle these struggles). Yet Jeremiah's prophecy points beyond this to the ultimate return when God's people come from all nations (Acts 2; Revelation 7:9), led by Christ the Good Shepherd, to dwell forever in God's presence without tears, pain, or death (Revelation 21:4).

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