King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 31:17 Mean?

Jeremiah 31:17 in the King James Version says “And there is hope in thine end, saith the LORD, that thy children shall come again to their own border.” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Jeremiah 31:17 · KJV

Hope

Context

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.

19

Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And there is hope in thine end, saith the LORD, that thy children shall come again to their own border. This verse continues comforting Rachel (and through her, all Israel) with concrete promises of restoration. There is hope (yesh tikvah, יֵשׁ־תִּקְוָה) uses tikvah, which means expectation, hope, or even a cord/thread (same word for Rahab's scarlet cord in Joshua 2:18). The phrase suggests strong, tangible hope, not wishful thinking.

In thine end (acharit, אַחֲרִית) means latter end, future, or outcome—the final chapter of your story, not the present crisis. This echoes Jeremiah 29:11's 'expected end' (tikvah and acharit appear together). God sees the entire narrative arc; present judgment is not the final word. Thy children shall come again reiterates the promise of v. 16, emphasizing return (shuv) as certainty, not possibility.

To their own border (gevul, גְּבוּל, boundary/territory) promises restoration to the promised land—the geographical inheritance God swore to Abraham's descendants (Genesis 15:18-21). This has layered fulfillment: literal return from Babylon, ongoing hope for scattered Jews, and ultimate restoration in the new creation where God's people inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5, Romans 4:13, Revelation 21:1-4). The 'border' expands from Canaan to encompass renewed creation.

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Historical & Cultural Context

For Rachel's descendants in exile, this promise meant the Northern Kingdom's apparent extinction was not final. Though Assyria deported the ten tribes (722 BC) and Babylon later took Judah (586 BC), God would restore them. Historically, some northerners joined Judah's return, and post-exilic texts mention northern tribal presence (1 Chronicles 9:3, Luke 2:36). Yet full tribal restoration awaits eschatological fulfillment. Jesus' promise that the twelve apostles will judge the twelve tribes (Matthew 19:28) and Revelation's sealing of 144,000 from all tribes (Revelation 7:4-8) point to this ultimate restoration.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the promise of 'hope in your end' change how we interpret present suffering or apparent defeat?
  2. What does it mean that God's promises include not just spiritual but physical/territorial restoration?
  3. In what ways does the 'return to their own border' find ultimate fulfillment in the new creation rather than merely ethnic Israel's restoration?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
וְיֵשׁ1 of 8

“And there is”

H3426

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

תִּקְוָ֥ה2 of 8

“hope”

H8615

literally a cord (as an attachment); figuratively, expectancy

לְאַחֲרִיתֵ֖ךְ3 of 8

“in thine end”

H319

the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity

נְאֻם4 of 8

“saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֑ה5 of 8

“the LORD”

H3068

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

וְשָׁ֥בוּ6 of 8

“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);

בָנִ֖ים7 of 8

“that thy children”

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

לִגְבוּלָֽם׃8 of 8

“to their own border”

H1366

properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed

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 31:17 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 31:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Lamentations 3:21Hosea 3:5Lamentations 3:26Lamentations 3:18Hosea 2:15Jeremiah 29:11-16

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