King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 31:19 Mean?

Jeremiah 31:19 in the King James Version says “Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, ...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jeremiah 31:19 · KJV

Context

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

21

Set thee up waymarks, make thee high heaps: set thine heart toward the highway, even the way which thou wentest: turn again, O virgin of Israel, turn again to these thy cities.

Read Jeremiah 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Ephraim continues his confession, describing the progression of repentance. 'After that I was turned, I repented'—the turning (conversion) precedes repentance. This reflects the ordo salutis (order of salvation): regeneration precedes repentance and faith. God must first give spiritual life before the dead sinner can respond. Then comes instruction—understanding the nature and severity of their sin. This leads to deep remorse: 'I smote upon my thigh'—a gesture of grief and shame. They bear 'the reproach of my youth'—acknowledging lifelong sin from their earliest days.

The phrase 'I did bear the reproach of my youth' shows that Israel's sin was not recent innovation but long-standing rebellion. From their youth as a nation (the wilderness generation), they had been unfaithful. This honest assessment—recognizing deep, systemic, lifelong sin—is necessary for genuine repentance. Superficial religion addresses symptoms; genuine repentance acknowledges root corruption and total dependence on God's grace.

This pattern appears throughout Scripture. Conviction of sin (through the Holy Spirit's work) leads to repentance, which produces godly sorrow, which results in changed behavior (2 Corinthians 7:10). The order matters: God must first work in us (turn us) before we can work out our salvation (Philippians 2:12-13). This protects the doctrine of grace—salvation is God's work, though it engages our whole person in response.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The exile forced Israel to confront what they had denied during prosperity—that their sin was serious and God's judgment just. Stripped of temple, land, and political power, they had to face reality: they were rebels who deserved punishment, not victims of injustice. This painful self-awareness was necessary for restoration. Similarly, the Holy Spirit convicts sinners of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8) before they can genuinely come to Christ.

Reflection Questions

  1. What is the relationship between God's work of 'turning' us and our response of repenting and believing?
  2. How does genuine repentance differ from mere regret or shame—what characterizes true godly sorrow over sin?
  3. Why is it important to acknowledge our 'youth'—the deep, long-standing nature of our sin—rather than viewing ourselves as generally good people who made mistakes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
כִּֽי1 of 16
H3588

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

וְאַֽחֲרֵי֙2 of 16

“Surely after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

שׁוּבִי֙3 of 16

“that I was turned”

H7725

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

נִחַ֔מְתִּי4 of 16

“I repented”

H5162

properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo

וְאַֽחֲרֵי֙5 of 16

“Surely after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

הִוָּ֣דְעִ֔י6 of 16

“that I was instructed”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

סָפַ֖קְתִּי7 of 16

“I smote”

H5606

to clap the hands (in token of compact, derision, grief, indignation, or punishment); by implication of satisfaction, to be enough; by implication of

עַל8 of 16
H5921

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

יָרֵ֑ךְ9 of 16

“upon my thigh”

H3409

the thigh (from its fleshy softness); by euphemistically the generative parts; figuratively, a shank, flank, side

בֹּ֚שְׁתִּי10 of 16

“I was ashamed”

H954

properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed

וְגַם11 of 16
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

נִכְלַ֔מְתִּי12 of 16

“yea even confounded”

H3637

properly, to wound; but only figuratively, to taunt or insult

כִּ֥י13 of 16
H3588

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

נָשָׂ֖אתִי14 of 16

“because I did bear”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

חֶרְפַּ֥ת15 of 16

“the reproach”

H2781

contumely, disgrace, the pudenda

נְעוּרָֽי׃16 of 16

“of my youth”

H5271

(only in plural collective or emphatic form) youth, the state (juvenility) or the persons (young people)

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 31:19 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 31:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 3:25Ezekiel 36:31Ezekiel 21:12Luke 18:13Deuteronomy 30:2Psalms 25:7

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