King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 30:3 Mean?

Jeremiah 30:3 in the King James Version says “For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the L... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.

Jeremiah 30:3 · KJV


Context

1

The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,

2

Thus speaketh the LORD God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book.

3

For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.

4

And these are the words that the LORD spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah.

5

For thus saith the LORD; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. of fear: or, there is fear, and not peace


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The phrase 'I will bring again the captivity' uses the Hebrew 'shub shebut' - a wordplay on returning/restoring. This promise transcends the Babylonian exile, pointing to ultimate restoration when Israel recognizes her Messiah (Rom 11:25-26). God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob remains unbreakable despite Israel's unfaithfulness. The land promise finds ultimate fulfillment in the new heavens and new earth.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This begins the 'Book of Consolation' (chapters 30-33), delivered while Jeremiah was imprisoned. Even in judgment's darkest hour, God promises ultimate restoration.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's faithfulness to His ancient promises strengthen your faith?
  2. What does this teach about the relationship between God's justice and His mercy?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
כִּ֠י1 of 21
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הִנֵּ֨ה2 of 21
H2009

lo!

יָמִ֤ים3 of 21

For lo the days

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

בָּאִים֙4 of 21

come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

נְאֻם5 of 21

saith

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֑ה6 of 21

the LORD

H3068

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

וַהֲשִׁבֹתִ֗ים7 of 21

and I will cause them to return

H7725

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

אֶת8 of 21
H853

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

שְׁב֨וּת9 of 21

the captivity

H7622

exile, concretely, prisoners; figuratively, a former state of prosperity

עַמִּ֧י10 of 21

of my people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל11 of 21

Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וִֽיהוּדָ֖ה12 of 21

and Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

אָמַ֣ר13 of 21

saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֑ה14 of 21

the LORD

H3068

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

וַהֲשִׁבֹתִ֗ים15 of 21

and I will cause them to return

H7725

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

אֶל16 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָאָ֛רֶץ17 of 21

to the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁר18 of 21
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נָתַ֥תִּי19 of 21

that I gave

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לַאֲבוֹתָ֖ם20 of 21

to their fathers

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וִֽירֵשֽׁוּהָ׃21 of 21

and they shall possess

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish


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 30:3 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 30:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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