King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 31:18 Mean?

Jeremiah 31:18 in the King James Version says “I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustom...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jeremiah 31:18 · KJV

Context

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.

20

Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD. are: Heb. sound

Read Jeremiah 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God depicts Ephraim (representing Israel) acknowledging God's discipline: 'Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke.' This agricultural metaphor describes an untrained ox resisting the yoke—bucking, fighting, refusing to submit. Israel had been like this, resisting God's good guidance. But now they cry, 'Turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God.' This is profound theology—even repentance is God's work. They cannot turn themselves; God must do the turning.

The prayer 'turn thou me' reflects the Reformed doctrine of effectual calling and irresistible grace. Fallen humans cannot turn to God on their own; spiritual death means we lack ability to respond to God (Ephesians 2:1). God must regenerate us, open our eyes, change our hearts—then we respond. The phrase 'I shall be turned' acknowledges that when God turns us, we will certainly turn. This is not divine coercion but divine enablement—God changes the heart's disposition so that we willingly, gladly turn to Him.

This passage destroys any notion of works-righteousness or self-improvement religion. Salvation is God's work from beginning to end. He chastises, He turns, He restores. Our role is to recognize our inability and cry out for His intervention. This theology humbles the proud, comforts the struggling, and gives all glory to God for salvation.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The exile had been God's 'chastisement'—painful discipline intended to break Israel's stubborn rebellion and bring them to repentance. Like the prodigal son in the far country coming to himself (Luke 15:17), the exiles recognized their sin and God's righteous judgment. This acknowledgment was prerequisite to restoration. God does not restore the impenitent, but He freely restores those who confess their need and cry out for His mercy.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean that even our repentance ('turn thou me') is God's work—how does this affect our understanding of conversion?
  2. How does the image of an untrained bullock resisting the yoke illustrate human resistance to God's good purposes?
  3. In what ways does God 'chastise' His children, and how should we respond to His discipline?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
שָׁמַ֗עְתִּי1 of 15

“I have surely”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

שָׁמַ֗עְתִּי2 of 15

“I have surely”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

אֶפְרַ֙יִם֙3 of 15

“Ephraim”

H669

ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

מִתְנוֹדֵ֔ד4 of 15

“bemoaning”

H5110

to nod, i.e., waver; figuratively, to wander, flee, disappear; also (from shaking the head in sympathy), to console, deplore, or (from tossing the hea

וָֽאִוָּסֵ֔ר5 of 15

“himself thus Thou hast chastised”

H3256

to chastise, literally (with blows) or figuratively (with words); hence, to instruct

וָֽאִוָּסֵ֔ר6 of 15

“himself thus Thou hast chastised”

H3256

to chastise, literally (with blows) or figuratively (with words); hence, to instruct

כְּעֵ֖גֶל7 of 15

“as a bullock”

H5695

a (male) calf (as frisking round), especially one nearly grown (i.e., a steer)

לֹ֣א8 of 15

“unaccustomed”

H3808

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

לֻמָּ֑ד9 of 15
H3925

properly, to goad, i.e., (by implication) to teach (the rod being an middle eastern incentive)

וְאָשׁ֔וּבָה10 of 15

“thou me and I shall be turned”

H7725

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

וְאָשׁ֔וּבָה11 of 15

“thou me and I shall be turned”

H7725

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

כִּ֥י12 of 15
H3588

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

אַתָּ֖ה13 of 15
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

יְהוָ֥ה14 of 15

“for thou art the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהָֽי׃15 of 15

“my God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

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 31:18 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 31:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 31:9Psalms 80:3Isaiah 9:13Jeremiah 3:21-22Job 5:17Revelation 3:19

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