King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 31:27 Mean?

Jeremiah 31:27 in the King James Version says “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, ...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast.”

Jeremiah 31:27 · KJV

Context

25

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

26

Upon this I awaked, and beheld; and my sleep was sweet unto me.

27

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast.

28

And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the LORD.

29

In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children's teeth are set on edge.

Read Jeremiah 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast. God announces a new prophetic oracle with the standard formula 'the days come, saith the LORD' (hineh yamim ba'im ne'um-YHWH), marking a future divine intervention. The central image is agricultural: 'I will sow' (ezra, אֶזְרַע) the land with both human and animal seed. This reverses the desolation of judgment when the land was stripped of inhabitants and livestock.

The verb zara (זָרַע, to sow/scatter seed) is covenant language. God promised Abraham his 'seed' (zera, זֶרַע) would be as numerous as stars (Genesis 15:5). After exile's devastation—when the population was decimated and herds destroyed—God promises to 'sow' His people back into the land, causing multiplication. Both 'house of Israel' (northern kingdom, exiled 722 BC) and 'house of Judah' (southern kingdom, exiled 586 BC) will be restored. This comprehensive regathering of all twelve tribes points to messianic fulfillment.

Paul uses seed imagery for resurrection and the church's growth (1 Corinthians 15:36-38, 2 Corinthians 9:10). Jesus's parable of the sower shows God scattering seed (the gospel) to produce abundant harvest (Matthew 13:1-23). The ultimate fulfillment is the New Creation, where God's people multiply eternally in the renewed earth (Revelation 21:3-4).

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Historical & Cultural Context

By Jeremiah's time, the northern kingdom (Israel) had been exiled for over a century by Assyria (722 BC), and Judah faced Babylonian exile (586 BC). The land would be depopulated, cities ruined, livestock slaughtered. This promise of 'sowing' addressed that devastation—God would repopulate the land with both people and animals. The post-exilic return saw partial fulfillment as Jews returned to Judea, but the northern tribes largely remained scattered. Full restoration of all twelve tribes awaits Christ's return (Matthew 19:28, Acts 3:21, Romans 11:25-26).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the imagery of God 'sowing' His people like seed demonstrate both His sovereignty and His covenant faithfulness?
  2. What does the inclusion of both Israel and Judah teach about God's comprehensive plan of restoration for all His people?
  3. In what ways does Jesus's parable of the sower illustrate the New Testament fulfillment of God 'sowing' His kingdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
הִנֵּ֛ה1 of 16
H2009

lo!

יָמִ֥ים2 of 16

“Behold the days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

בָּאִ֖ים3 of 16

“come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

נְאֻם4 of 16

“saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֑ה5 of 16

“the LORD”

H3068

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

וְזָרַעְתִּ֗י6 of 16

“that I will sow”

H2232

to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify

אֶת7 of 16
H853

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

בֵּ֣ית8 of 16

“and the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙9 of 16

“of Israel”

H3478

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

וְאֶת10 of 16
H853

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

בֵּ֣ית11 of 16

“and the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוּדָ֔ה12 of 16

“of Judah”

H3063

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

וְזֶ֥רַע13 of 16

“and with the seed”

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

אָדָ֖ם14 of 16

“of man”

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

וְזֶ֥רַע15 of 16

“and with the seed”

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

בְּהֵמָֽה׃16 of 16

“of beast”

H929

properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)

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 31:27 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 31:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hosea 2:23Zechariah 10:9Ezekiel 36:11Ezekiel 36:9Jeremiah 30:19

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