Jeremiah Chapter 50 · Verse 19

Authorized King James Version

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And I will bring Israel again to his habitation, and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan, and his soul shall be satisfied upon mount Ephraim and Gilead.

Original Language Analysis

וְשֹׁבַבְתִּ֤י And I will bring H7725
וְשֹׁבַבְתִּ֤י And I will bring
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 1 of 13
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 #: 2 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 3 of 13
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 4 of 13
near, with or among; often in general, to
נָוֵ֔הוּ to his habitation H5116
נָוֵ֔הוּ to his habitation
Strong's: H5116
Word #: 5 of 13
(adjectively) at home; hence (by implication of satisfaction) lovely; also (noun) a home, of god (temple), men (residence), flocks (pasture), or wild
וְרָעָ֥ה and he shall feed H7462
וְרָעָ֥ה and he shall feed
Strong's: H7462
Word #: 6 of 13
to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie
הַכַּרְמֶ֖ל on Carmel H3760
הַכַּרְמֶ֖ל on Carmel
Strong's: H3760
Word #: 7 of 13
karmel, the name of a hill and of a town in palestine
וְהַבָּשָׁ֑ן and Bashan H1316
וְהַבָּשָׁ֑ן and Bashan
Strong's: H1316
Word #: 8 of 13
bashan (often with the article), a region east of the jordan
וּבְהַ֥ר upon mount H2022
וּבְהַ֥ר upon mount
Strong's: H2022
Word #: 9 of 13
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
אֶפְרַ֛יִם Ephraim H669
אֶפְרַ֛יִם Ephraim
Strong's: H669
Word #: 10 of 13
ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
וְהַגִּלְעָ֖ד and Gilead H1568
וְהַגִּלְעָ֖ד and Gilead
Strong's: H1568
Word #: 11 of 13
gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites
תִּשְׂבַּ֥ע shall be satisfied H7646
תִּשְׂבַּ֥ע shall be satisfied
Strong's: H7646
Word #: 12 of 13
to sate, i.e., fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)
נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃ and his soul H5315
נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃ and his soul
Strong's: H5315
Word #: 13 of 13
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

Analysis & Commentary

And I will bring Israel again to his habitation—God promises restoration following judgment. The verb shuv (שׁוּב, bring again) means to return, restore, bring back—the same word used for repentance. Israel's return is both geographical (back to the land) and spiritual (back to covenant relationship). 'His habitation' (naveh, נָוֶה) means pasture, dwelling place—where the flock belongs under the shepherd's care.

And he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan, and his soul shall be satisfied upon mount Ephraim and Gilead—these geographical locations represent the fullness of the promised land. Carmel (northwest) was famed for fertility. Bashan (northeast) was renowned for pasture and cattle. Mount Ephraim (central hill country) and Gilead (east of Jordan) complete the picture of comprehensive restoration. The verb ra'ah (רָעָה, feed) means to pasture, to shepherd—God as shepherd leads His flock to abundant provision. 'His soul shall be satisfied' (saba, שָׂבַע) means filled, content, having enough—spiritual and physical restoration. This anticipates Jesus as the Good Shepherd (John 10:11) who abundantly satisfies His sheep (Psalm 23:1-3).

Historical Context

The return began in 538 BC under Cyrus's decree (Ezra 1). Multiple waves of exiles returned over subsequent decades, led by Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah. They rebuilt Jerusalem, the temple, and resettled the land. Yet the full restoration prophesied here was not completely realized in the post-exilic period—Rome would later conquer them again. Christian theology sees ultimate fulfillment in the new covenant people of God gathered from all nations, shepherded by Christ, awaiting the new heavens and new earth where God's people will be fully satisfied (Revelation 21-22).

Questions for Reflection