King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 31:16 Mean?

Jeremiah 31:16 in the King James Version says “Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith th...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy.”

Jeremiah 31:16 · KJV

Context

14

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

15

Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.

16

Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy.

17

And there is hope in thine end, saith the LORD, that thy children shall come again to their own border.

18

I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God.

Read Jeremiah 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy. This verse directly answers Rachel's weeping in v. 15 with divine comfort and promise. Refrain thy voice from weeping uses mana (מָנַע), meaning to withhold or restrain—not suppressing emotion but ceasing because grief's cause will be removed. And thine eyes from tears parallels this, emphasizing complete cessation of mourning.

The basis for this command is twofold: thy work shall be rewarded (pe'ulah, פְּעֻלָּה, labor/deed, and sakar, שָׂכָר, wage/reward) acknowledges that Rachel's 'work'—bearing and raising covenant children—will not be in vain. God will recompense her investment. Second, they shall come again from the land of the enemy promises concrete restoration. Come again (shuv, שׁוּב) is the key Hebrew word for return/repentance—physical return from Babylon and spiritual return to covenant faithfulness.

This promise reveals God's character: He sees and rewards faithful labor (Hebrews 6:10), even when circumstances seem to nullify it. The 'land of the enemy' was not final destination but temporary trial. This speaks powerfully to Christian hope—present suffering is not final; God will restore what was lost (Romans 8:18-23, Revelation 21:4).

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Historical & Cultural Context

For exiles watching Jerusalem's destruction and facing decades in Babylon, this promise offered tangible hope. Their parents' and grandparents' faithfulness in raising children in covenant faith would be rewarded—the next generation would return and rebuild. Historically, Cyrus's decree (538 BC) enabled return, vindicating this promise. Yet full restoration awaited Messiah, who reverses the curse, defeats the ultimate enemy (death), and restores God's people eternally. Paul applies similar logic in 1 Corinthians 15:58—labor in the Lord is 'not in vain' because resurrection ensures ultimate restoration.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's promise that 'your work shall be rewarded' comfort those whose faithful service seems fruitless?
  2. What does it mean that exile to 'the land of the enemy' is temporary, not permanent, for God's people?
  3. In what ways does Christian hope for resurrection and restoration enable us to 'refrain from weeping' even amid present loss?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
כֹּ֣ה׀1 of 17
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֣ר2 of 17

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֔ה3 of 17

“the LORD”

H3068

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

מִנְעִ֤י4 of 17

“Refrain”

H4513

to debar (negatively or positively) from benefit or injury

קוֹלֵךְ֙5 of 17

“thy voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

מִבֶּ֔כִי6 of 17

“from weeping”

H1065

a weeping; by analogy, a dripping

וְעֵינַ֖יִךְ7 of 17

“and thine eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

מִדִּמְעָ֑ה8 of 17

“from tears”

H1832

weeping

כִּי֩9 of 17
H3588

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

יֵ֨שׁ10 of 17

“shall be”

H3426

there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)

שָׂכָ֤ר11 of 17

“rewarded”

H7939

payment of contract; concretely, salary, fare, maintenance; by implication, compensation, benefit

לִפְעֻלָּתֵךְ֙12 of 17

“for thy work”

H6468

(abstractly) work

נְאֻם13 of 17

“saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֔ה14 of 17

“the LORD”

H3068

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

וְשָׁ֖בוּ15 of 17

“and they shall come again”

H7725

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

מֵאֶ֥רֶץ16 of 17

“from the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אוֹיֵֽב׃17 of 17

“of the enemy”

H341

hating; an adversary

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 31:16 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 31:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ruth 2:12Jeremiah 30:3Hebrews 6:10Mark 5:38-39Jeremiah 33:7Hebrews 11:6

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