Jeremiah 33:11
The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
שִׂמְחָ֗ה
of gladness
H8057
שִׂמְחָ֗ה
of gladness
Strong's:
H8057
Word #:
4 of 32
blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)
חָתָן֮
of the bridegroom
H2860
חָתָן֮
of the bridegroom
Strong's:
H2860
Word #:
6 of 32
a relative by marriage (especially through the bride); figuratively, a circumcised child (as a species of religious espousal)
הוֹדוּ֩
Praise
H3034
הוֹדוּ֩
Praise
Strong's:
H3034
Word #:
11 of 32
physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the ha
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 32
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָֽה׃
for the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֽה׃
for the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
13 of 32
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֜וֹת
of hosts
H6635
צְבָא֜וֹת
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
14 of 32
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
15 of 32
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
ט֤וֹב
is good
H2896
ט֤וֹב
is good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
16 of 32
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
יְהוָֽה׃
for the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֽה׃
for the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
17 of 32
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
18 of 32
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לְעוֹלָ֣ם
endureth for ever
H5769
לְעוֹלָ֣ם
endureth for ever
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
19 of 32
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
חַסְדּ֔וֹ
for his mercy
H2617
חַסְדּ֔וֹ
for his mercy
Strong's:
H2617
Word #:
20 of 32
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
מְבִאִ֥ים
and of them that shall bring
H935
מְבִאִ֥ים
and of them that shall bring
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
21 of 32
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
תּוֹדָ֖ה
the sacrifice of praise
H8426
תּוֹדָ֖ה
the sacrifice of praise
Strong's:
H8426
Word #:
22 of 32
properly, an extension of the hand, i.e., (by implication) avowal, or (usually) adoration; specifically, a choir of worshippers
בֵּ֣ית
into the house
H1004
בֵּ֣ית
into the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
23 of 32
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יְהוָֽה׃
for the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֽה׃
for the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
24 of 32
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
25 of 32
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אָשִׁ֧יב
For I will cause to return
H7725
אָשִׁ֧יב
For I will cause to return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
26 of 32
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
27 of 32
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שְׁבוּת
the captivity
H7622
שְׁבוּת
the captivity
Strong's:
H7622
Word #:
28 of 32
exile, concretely, prisoners; figuratively, a former state of prosperity
כְּבָרִאשֹׁנָ֖ה
as at the first
H7223
כְּבָרִאשֹׁנָ֖ה
as at the first
Strong's:
H7223
Word #:
30 of 32
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
Cross References
1 Chronicles 16:34O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.Psalms 107:22And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.Psalms 107:1O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.Psalms 106:1Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.Hebrews 13:15By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.2 Chronicles 29:31Then Hezekiah answered and said, Now ye have consecrated yourselves unto the LORD, come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of the LORD. And the congregation brought in sacrifices and thank offerings; and as many as were of a free heart burnt offerings.2 Chronicles 5:13It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD;Isaiah 51:11Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.Revelation 18:23And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.1 Chronicles 16:8Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.
Historical Context
Babylonian conquest silenced Jerusalem's wedding celebrations and temple worship (Jeremiah 7:34, 16:9). The promised restoration of these joyful sounds signals comprehensive renewal—social (weddings), religious (sacrifices), and communal (praise). The post-exilic community rebuilt the temple and resumed sacrifices (Ezra 3:11 uses this same Psalm 136 refrain), but ultimate fulfillment awaits Christ's marriage supper of the Lamb.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the restoration of wedding joy represent more than just population growth—what does it say about covenant renewal?
- Why does restored worship center on God's chesed (loyal love) rather than His power or justice?
- In what ways does the church's worship today anticipate the ultimate 'voice of the bridegroom and bride' at Christ's return?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride—Four 'voices' replace death-silence with life-celebration. Sason (joy) and simchah (gladness) are wedding terms; marriage imagery represents covenant restoration. The bridegroom-bride motif runs from Hosea through Revelation (19:7-9), depicting God's relationship with His people as marital intimacy restored after adultery.
Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever (הוֹדוּ לַיהוָה צְבָאוֹת כִּי־טוֹב יְהוָה כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ, hodu laYHWH Tzeva'ot ki-tov YHWH ki le'olam chasdo)—This is Psalm 136's refrain, the temple liturgy. Restored worship centers on YHWH's chesed (loyal covenant love) that endures forever, despite Israel's unfaithfulness. Grace outlasts judgment.