King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 3:1 Mean?

Jeremiah 3:1 in the King James Version says “They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? sha... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD. They say: Heb. Saying

Jeremiah 3:1 · KJV


Context

1

They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD. They say: Heb. Saying

2

Lift up thine eyes unto the high places, and see where thou hast not been lien with. In the ways hast thou sat for them, as the Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy wickedness.

3

Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; and thou hadst a whore's forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse opens Jeremiah 3 with a hypothetical legal case based on Deuteronomy 24:1-4, which forbade a divorced woman who remarried from returning to her first husband. The Hebrew construction 'they say' (lēʾmōr, לֵאמֹר) introduces a well-known principle. God applies this law metaphorically to Israel's spiritual adultery through idolatry—she has 'played the harlot with many lovers' (zānîṯ rēʿîm rabbîm, זָנִית רֵעִים רַבִּים). Yet remarkably, God invites return: 'yet return again to me, saith the LORD.' This demonstrates grace transcending legal requirements. The rhetorical question 'shall not that land be greatly polluted?' uses the Hebrew ḥānōp̄ taḥănap̄, emphasizing severe defilement. Theologically, this reveals God's covenant love (ḥeseḏ) surpasses human divorce laws, anticipating the gospel's radical forgiveness and Christ's work reconciling unfaithful people to God.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jeremiah ministered during Judah's final decades before Babylonian exile (627-586 BC). Chapter 3 addresses both Northern Israel (already exiled by Assyria in 722 BC) and Judah. The divorce metaphor reflects ancient Near Eastern marriage customs where adultery justified divorce. Israel's 'lovers' were Canaanite gods—Baal, Asherah, and others—worshiped at high places throughout the land. Despite Josiah's reforms (622 BC) removing many idolatrous sites, popular religion remained syncretistic. The pollution language reflects covenant theology: idolatry defiled the land, requiring purification through judgment (Leviticus 18:24-28). God's invitation to return despite legal impossibility demonstrated extraordinary grace.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's willingness to receive back His spiritually adulterous people challenge our understanding of forgiveness and restoration?
  2. What 'lovers' compete for your devotion and loyalty that God is calling you to abandon in returning fully to Him?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
לֵאמֹ֡ר1 of 27

They say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הֵ֣ן2 of 27
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

יְשַׁלַּ֣ח3 of 27

put away

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

לְאִישׁ4 of 27

If a man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֶת5 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אִשְׁתּוֹ֩6 of 27

his wife

H802

a woman

וְהָלְכָ֨ה7 of 27

and she go

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

מֵאִתּ֜וֹ8 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וְהָיְתָ֣ה9 of 27
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לְאִישׁ10 of 27

If a man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אַחֵ֗ר11 of 27

from him and become another

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

וְשׁ֥וֹב12 of 27

shall he return unto her again

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֵלֶ֙יהָ֙13 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

ע֔וֹד14 of 27
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

הֲל֛וֹא15 of 27
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תֶּחֱנַ֖ף16 of 27

be greatly

H2610

to soil, especially in a moral sense

תֶּחֱנַ֖ף17 of 27

be greatly

H2610

to soil, especially in a moral sense

הָאָ֣רֶץ18 of 27

shall not that land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הַהִ֑יא19 of 27
H1931

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

וְאַ֗תְּ20 of 27
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

זָנִית֙21 of 27

but thou hast played the harlot

H2181

to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (

רֵעִ֣ים22 of 27

lovers

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

רַבִּ֔ים23 of 27

with many

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

וְשׁ֥וֹב24 of 27

shall he return unto her again

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֵלַ֖י25 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

נְאֻם26 of 27

to me saith

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָֹֽה׃27 of 27

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 3:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 3:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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