King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 31:12 Mean?

Jeremiah 31:12 in the King James Version says “Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.”

Jeremiah 31:12 · KJV

Context

10

Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.

11

For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he.

12

Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.

13

Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.

14

And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the LORD.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse paints a picture of comprehensive restoration and joy. The returned exiles will 'sing in the height of Zion'—worship on God's holy mountain. They will 'flow together' (nahar, נָהַר), a word suggesting streaming like a river, united movement toward God. The object of their gathering is 'the goodness of the LORD'—specifically His material provision: wheat, wine, oil, flocks, and herds. Their soul will be 'as a watered garden'—flourishing, productive, beautiful. 'They shall not sorrow any more at all' promises complete reversal of mourning.

This comprehensive blessing—spiritual (worship, joy) and material (abundant provision)—reflects the holistic nature of God's restoration. The prophets never separated spiritual and physical blessing; God's salvation encompasses the whole person and ultimately the whole creation. The phrase 'watered garden' recalls Eden and anticipates the new creation. What was lost in the fall will be restored through God's redemptive work.

For Christians, this finds initial fulfillment in the joy and provision of the church, the new covenant community. Yet it also points forward to the new heavens and new earth, where God's people will experience unending joy, complete provision, and the end of all sorrow (Revelation 21:4). The material blessings listed here remind us that God's ultimate purpose includes the restoration of creation itself, not merely the salvation of disembodied souls (Romans 8:21).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The returned exiles did rebuild Jerusalem, reinstitute temple worship, and experience God's provision. Yet the restoration was partial—they remained under foreign domination (Persia, Greece, Rome), poverty characterized many, and sorrow was not eliminated. This partial fulfillment pointed forward to the complete fulfillment in Christ's kingdom, inaugurated at His first coming and consummated at His return.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the promise of comprehensive restoration—both spiritual and material—shape our understanding of salvation and the new creation?
  2. What does it mean that believers' souls will be 'as a watered garden'—what kind of flourishing does this describe?
  3. In what ways do we experience these blessings now, and what aspects await final fulfillment when Christ returns?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
וּבָאוּ֮1 of 26

“Therefore they shall come”

H935

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

וְרִנְּנ֣וּ2 of 26

“and sing”

H7442

properly, to creak (or emit a stridulous sound), i.e., to shout (usually for joy)

בִמְרוֹם3 of 26

“in the height”

H4791

altitude, i.e., concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively (elation), or adverbially (aloft)

צִיּוֹן֒4 of 26

“of Zion”

H6726

tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem

וְנָהֲר֞וּ5 of 26

“and shall flow together”

H5102

to sparkle, i.e., (figuratively) be cheerful

אֶל6 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

ט֣וּב7 of 26

“to the goodness”

H2898

good (as a noun), in the widest sense, especially goodness (superlative concretely, the best), beauty, gladness, welfare

יְהוָ֗ה8 of 26

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

עַל9 of 26
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

דָּגָן֙10 of 26

“for wheat”

H1715

properly, increase, i.e., grain

וְעַל11 of 26
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

תִּירֹ֣שׁ12 of 26

“and for wine”

H8492

must or fresh grape-juice (as just squeezed out); by implication (rarely) fermented wine

וְעַל13 of 26
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יִצְהָ֔ר14 of 26

“and for oil”

H3323

oil (as producing light); figuratively, anointing

וְעַל15 of 26
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

בְּנֵי16 of 26

“and for the young”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

צֹ֖אן17 of 26

“of the flock”

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

וּבָקָ֑ר18 of 26

“and of the herd”

H1241

a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd

וְהָיְתָ֤ה19 of 26
H1961

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

נַפְשָׁם֙20 of 26

“and their soul”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

כְּגַ֣ן21 of 26

“garden”

H1588

a garden (as fenced)

רָוֶ֔ה22 of 26

“shall be as a watered”

H7302

sated (with drink)

וְלֹא23 of 26
H3808

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

יוֹסִ֥יפוּ24 of 26

“any more”

H3254

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

לְדַאֲבָ֖ה25 of 26

“and they shall not sorrow”

H1669

to pine

עֽוֹד׃26 of 26
H5750

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

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 31:12 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 31:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 35:10Isaiah 58:11Joel 3:18Isaiah 60:20John 16:22Jeremiah 33:9-11

Places in This Verse

ZionSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E148 verses across 19 books
View all places in Jeremiah 31 →

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