King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 31:23 Mean?

Jeremiah 31:23 in the King James Version says “Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As yet they shall use this speech in the land of Judah and in the citie...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As yet they shall use this speech in the land of Judah and in the cities thereof, when I shall bring again their captivity; The LORD bless thee, O habitation of justice, and mountain of holiness.”

Jeremiah 31:23 · KJV

Context

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.

23

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As yet they shall use this speech in the land of Judah and in the cities thereof, when I shall bring again their captivity; The LORD bless thee, O habitation of justice, and mountain of holiness.

24

And there shall dwell in Judah itself, and in all the cities thereof together, husbandmen, and they that go forth with flocks.

25

For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.

Read Jeremiah 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God promises that Jerusalem and its surrounding cities will again pronounce a blessing over Zion: 'The LORD bless thee, O habitation of justice, and mountain of holiness.' The title 'habitation of justice' contrasts with the corrupt city that oppressed the poor and perverted justice. The restoration will not merely rebuild structures but establish righteousness. The 'mountain of holiness' refers to the temple mount, which will again be the place where God dwells and His people worship in holiness.

This vision of Jerusalem as a place of justice and holiness points beyond the historical return to the ultimate city of God. Revelation 21-22 describes the new Jerusalem where nothing unclean enters, where God dwells with His people, and where justice perfectly reigns. The church is presently this 'habitation of justice' insofar as it embodies righteousness and worships in spirit and truth. Yet the full realization awaits Christ's return.

The phrase 'as yet they shall use this speech' indicates that blessing will replace cursing. Jerusalem had become a byword of destruction and judgment (Jeremiah 24:9), but it will again be associated with God's favor. This reflects the biblical pattern: what God judges, He ultimately restores and blesses. His purposes are always redemptive, even when they include judgment.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The returned exiles did rebuild Jerusalem and the temple, and worship resumed. However, the city remained under foreign control and never achieved the glory envisioned by the prophets during the Second Temple period. This pointed forward to the true fulfillment in Christ, who established a new temple (His body and the church), gathered a new people, and promised a new Jerusalem descending from heaven (Revelation 21:2).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean for Jerusalem to be a 'habitation of justice'—how should God's people embody justice in their communities?
  2. How is the church both the partial fulfillment of this promise now and awaiting its complete fulfillment in the new creation?
  3. In what ways does restoration include not just rebuilding physical structures but establishing righteousness and holiness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
כֹּֽה1 of 23
H3541

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

יֹאמְר֞וּ2 of 23

“As yet they shall use”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֛ה3 of 23

“The LORD”

H3068

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

צְבָאוֹת֙4 of 23

“of hosts”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

אֱלֹהֵ֣י5 of 23

“the 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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל6 of 23

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

ע֣וֹד7 of 23
H5750

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

יֹאמְר֞וּ8 of 23

“As yet they shall use”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶת9 of 23
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַדָּבָ֣ר10 of 23

“this speech”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הַזֶּ֗ה11 of 23
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

בְּאֶ֤רֶץ12 of 23

“in the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

יְהוּדָה֙13 of 23

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וּבְעָרָ֔יו14 of 23

“and in the cities”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

בְּשׁוּבִ֖י15 of 23

“thereof when I shall bring again”

H7725

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

אֶת16 of 23
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שְׁבוּתָ֑ם17 of 23

“their captivity”

H7622

exile, concretely, prisoners; figuratively, a former state of prosperity

יְבָרֶכְךָ֧18 of 23

“bless”

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

יְהוָ֛ה19 of 23

“The LORD”

H3068

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

נְוֵה20 of 23

“thee O habitation”

H5116

(adjectively) at home; hence (by implication of satisfaction) lovely; also (noun) a home, of god (temple), men (residence), flocks (pasture), or wild

צֶ֖דֶק21 of 23

“of justice”

H6664

the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity

הַ֥ר22 of 23

“and mountain”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

הַקֹּֽדֶשׁ׃23 of 23

“of holiness”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

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 31:23 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 31:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Zechariah 8:3Jeremiah 50:7Isaiah 1:26Isaiah 60:21Obadiah 1:17Jeremiah 23:5-8

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Jeremiah 31 →

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