King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 31:28 Mean?

Jeremiah 31:28 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jeremiah 31:28 · KJV

Context

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.

30

But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge.

Read Jeremiah 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. This verse establishes divine symmetry between judgment and restoration. The phrase 'I have watched over them' uses shaqad (שָׁקַד), meaning to be wakeful, vigilant, attentive—the same verb from Jeremiah 1:12 where God declares 'I will hasten (shoqed) my word to perform it.' God is not passive; He actively superintends both judgment and blessing.

Five verbs describe God's judgment: (1) pluck up (natash, נָתַשׁ—uproot), (2) break down (nathats, נָתַץ—demolish), (3) throw down (haras, הָרַס—raze), (4) destroy (abad, אָבַד—ruin utterly), and (5) afflict (hara, הָרַע—bring calamity). These verbs appeared in Jeremiah's original commission (1:10) as the negative aspect of his ministry. God actively brought this judgment on sinful Judah—it wasn't passive abandonment but sovereign discipline.

The 'so will I watch over them' establishes equal divine vigilance for restoration. Two positive verbs follow: build (banah, בָּנָה) and plant (nata, נָטַע)—agricultural and architectural images of establishing permanence. What God tore down, He will rebuild; what He uprooted, He will replant. This demonstrates God's redemptive purpose: judgment is remedial, not final. He disciplines to restore, not to abandon (Hebrews 12:5-11).

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Historical & Cultural Context

This verse directly references Jeremiah's call in 1:10, creating literary bookends around his forty-year ministry of judgment. The destruction came precisely as warned—Jerusalem fell in 586 BC, the temple was burned, the people were exiled. God had indeed 'watched over' His word to bring judgment. The return under Cyrus (538 BC) initiated the rebuilding phase, though full restoration awaited future fulfillment. Ezra and Nehemiah chronicle the partial return—they rebuilt the temple and walls but faced ongoing opposition and incomplete restoration. The ultimate 'building and planting' occurs through Christ, who builds His church (Matthew 16:18) and plants believers as fruitful vines (John 15:1-8).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does God's equal vigilance in both judgment and restoration teach us about His character and purposes?
  2. How does this verse challenge the false dichotomy between God's justice and His mercy?
  3. In what ways does God's promise to 'build and plant' after 'plucking up and breaking down' give hope during seasons of discipline or suffering?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וְהָיָ֞ה1 of 16
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כַּאֲשֶׁ֧ר2 of 16
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אֶשְׁקֹ֧ד3 of 16

“And it shall come to pass that like as I have watched over”

H8245

to be alert, i.e., sleepless; hence to be on the lookout (whether for good or ill)

עֲלֵיהֶ֗ם4 of 16
H5921

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

לִנְת֧וֹשׁ5 of 16

“them to pluck up”

H5428

to tear away

וְלִנְת֛וֹץ6 of 16

“and to break down”

H5422

to tear down

וְלַהֲרֹ֖ס7 of 16

“and to throw down”

H2040

to pull down or in pieces, break, destroy

וּלְהַאֲבִ֣יד8 of 16

“and to destroy”

H6

properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)

וּלְהָרֵ֑עַ9 of 16

“and to afflict”

H7489

properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)

כֵּ֣ן10 of 16
H3651

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

אֶשְׁקֹ֧ד11 of 16

“And it shall come to pass that like as I have watched over”

H8245

to be alert, i.e., sleepless; hence to be on the lookout (whether for good or ill)

עֲלֵיהֶ֛ם12 of 16
H5921

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

לִבְנ֥וֹת13 of 16

“them to build”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

וְלִנְט֖וֹעַ14 of 16

“and to plant”

H5193

properly, to strike in, i.e., fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively)

נְאֻם15 of 16

“saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָֽה׃16 of 16

“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 31:28 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 31:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 24:6Jeremiah 1:10Jeremiah 44:27Jeremiah 18:7-9Jeremiah 45:4Acts 15:16

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