Jeremiah Chapter 31 · Verse 9
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
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)
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)
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
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
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
Cross References
Jeremiah 3:4Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My father, thou art the guide of my youth?Matthew 5:4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.Exodus 4:22And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:Jeremiah 50:4In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping: they shall go, and seek the LORD their God.Jeremiah 31:20Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD.Isaiah 63:13That led them through the deep, as an horse in the wilderness, that they should not stumble?Psalms 23:2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.Revelation 7:17For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.Isaiah 64:8But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.Jeremiah 3:19But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me.
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).
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean that God is 'a father to Israel'—how does this paternal relationship shape our understanding of God's dealings with His people?
- How do the tears of returning exiles reflect both repentance for past sin and joy at restoration—and how does this apply to Christian conversion?
- In what ways does God 'lead' His people along straight paths where they will not stumble?
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.