King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 31:20 Mean?

Jeremiah 31:20 in the King James Version says “Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: theref...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Jeremiah 31:20 · KJV

Context

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.

22

How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the LORD hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man.

Read Jeremiah 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Despite pronouncing judgment on Ephraim, God's fatherly love remains. The rhetorical questions—'Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child?'—expect affirmative answers: Yes! Though God spoke against Ephraim in judgment, He earnestly remembers him still. The Hebrew intensifies this: zakhor ezkerenu (זָכֹר אֶזְכְּרֶנּוּ)—'remembering, I remember him'—emphasizing constant, affectionate remembrance. God's 'bowels' (inner being, compassion) are 'troubled' for Ephraim, showing deep emotional connection. The conclusion: 'I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD.'

This passage reveals the tension in God's heart (anthropomorphically speaking)—the necessity of judging sin conflicts with His fatherly love for His rebellious children. Yet mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13). God's love is not sentimental tolerance of sin; He truly judges and disciplines. But His ultimate purpose is restoration, not destruction. The exile was meant to bring Israel back, not cast them away forever.

This theology grounds Christian assurance. Those whom God loves, He loves to the end (John 13:1). Though He disciplines His children (Hebrews 12:5-11), He never stops loving them or remembering them. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38-39). Even God's anger at sin is temporary, but His love endures forever (Psalm 103:8-10).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Throughout Israel's rebellion, God's prophets revealed His grief over their unfaithfulness. God describes Himself as a husband whose wife committed adultery (Hosea), a father whose children rebelled (Isaiah 1:2), a vineyard owner whose vineyard produced wild grapes (Isaiah 5). These metaphors show God's genuine sorrow over sin and His persistent love despite betrayal. This sets the stage for understanding Christ's tears over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41) and His willingness to die for enemies (Romans 5:8).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage help us understand the relationship between God's judgment of sin and His love for sinners?
  2. What does it mean that God 'earnestly remembers' His people even while disciplining them?
  3. How should God's persistent fatherly love for rebellious Israel encourage believers struggling with assurance of salvation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
הֲבֵן֩1 of 23

“son”

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

יַקִּ֨יר2 of 23

“my dear”

H3357

precious

לִ֜י3 of 23
H0
אֶפְרַ֗יִם4 of 23

“Is Ephraim”

H669

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

אִ֚ם5 of 23
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

יֶ֣לֶד6 of 23

“child”

H3206

something born, i.e., a lad or offspring

שַׁעֲשֻׁעִ֔ים7 of 23

“is he a pleasant”

H8191

enjoyment

כִּֽי8 of 23
H3588

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

מִדֵּ֤י9 of 23

“for since”

H1767

enough (as noun or adverb), used chiefly with preposition in phrases

דַבְּרִי֙10 of 23

“I spake”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

בּ֔וֹ11 of 23
H0
אֶזְכְּרֶ֖נּוּ12 of 23

“against him I do earnestly”

H2142

properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male

אֶזְכְּרֶ֖נּוּ13 of 23

“against him I do earnestly”

H2142

properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male

ע֑וֹד14 of 23
H5750

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

עַל15 of 23
H5921

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

כֵּ֗ן16 of 23
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

הָמ֤וּ17 of 23

“are troubled”

H1993

to make a loud sound (like english 'hum'); by implication, to be in great commotion or tumult, to rage, war, moan, clamor

מֵעַי֙18 of 23

“him still therefore my bowels”

H4578

used only in plural the intestines, or (collectively) the abdomen, figuratively, sympathy; by implication, a vest; by extension the stomach, the uteru

ל֔וֹ19 of 23
H0
אֲֽרַחֲמֶ֖נּוּ20 of 23

“for him I will surely”

H7355

to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate

אֲֽרַחֲמֶ֖נּוּ21 of 23

“for him I will surely”

H7355

to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate

נְאֻם22 of 23

“upon him saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָֽה׃23 of 23

“the LORD”

H3068

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

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 31:20 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 31:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 55:7Micah 7:18-19Isaiah 63:15Lamentations 3:31-32Psalms 103:13Judges 10:16

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