King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 31:34 Mean?

Jeremiah 31:34 in the King James Version says “And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall a... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

Jeremiah 31:34 · KJV


Context

32

Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: although: or, should I have continued an husband unto them?

33

But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

34

And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

35

Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name:

36

If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse describes the relational intimacy and comprehensive forgiveness of the New Covenant. 'And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother' uses lamad (לָמַד, teach), referring to basic instruction about knowing God. The promise isn't that teaching ceases entirely but that universal, direct knowledge of God will characterize New Covenant believers. 'Saying, Know the LORD' uses yada (יָדַע), intimate, experiential knowledge—not mere intellectual awareness but personal relationship. Under the old covenant, knowledge of God was mediated through priests, prophets, and teachers. Most Israelites knew God secondhand. The New Covenant democratizes this knowledge. 'For they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them' uses kol (כֹּל, all) with qaton (קָטֹן, least/small) and gadol (גָּדוֹל, great/large)—comprehensive scope regardless of age, status, or education. Every believer will have direct access to God and experiential knowledge of Him. 'Saith the LORD' adds divine authority. The climactic promise follows: 'For I will forgive their iniquity' uses salach (סָלַח), meaning pardon, forgive—a verb used exclusively of divine forgiveness in the Old Testament. 'And I will remember their sin no more' employs zakar (זָכַר, remember) with negation—God chooses to not hold sins against His people. This doesn't mean divine omniscience fails but that sins are removed from the covenant relationship. They're forgiven, covered, and no longer affect standing before God. The verse establishes that the New Covenant provides: (1) universal knowledge of God among all believers, (2) direct access without mediating priesthood, (3) complete forgiveness of sins, and (4) permanent removal of sin's guilt. This finds fulfillment in Christ's high priesthood (Hebrews 7-10), the Spirit's indwelling every believer (Romans 8:9), and justification by faith (Romans 3:21-26). John writes: 'Ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things' (1 John 2:20).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Under the Mosaic covenant, access to God was restricted and mediated. The high priest alone entered the Holy of Holies once annually (Leviticus 16). Common Israelites approached God through priests who offered sacrifices. Religious education required rabbis and scribes. Most people knew God's Law through oral teaching, as few possessed written copies. Knowledge of God was hierarchical and indirect. The Day of Atonement provided annual covering for sins (Leviticus 16), but sins were 'remembered' year after year—the sacrifices repeated endlessly because they couldn't perfect the conscience (Hebrews 10:1-4). The old covenant featured ongoing consciousness of sin and distance from God. Jeremiah's prophecy promised revolution: every believer would know God personally and directly. Sins would be forgiven completely and permanently, not merely covered temporarily. This awaited Christ's once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10-14) and the Spirit's universal outpouring. Pentecost fulfilled Joel's prophecy: 'I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh' (Joel 2:28). The early church experienced this democratization—unlearned fishermen like Peter preached with authority, the Spirit revealed truth to all believers (1 Corinthians 2:12), and access to God's presence became universal (Ephesians 2:18). The Reformation recovered this truth when reformers insisted Scripture belonged in the hands of common people, not just clergy. Every believer is a priest (1 Peter 2:9) with direct access to God through Christ. The promise that God 'remembers sins no more' secures eternal justification—once forgiven through Christ, believers stand righteous before God permanently.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the New Covenant promise of universal knowledge of God change the role of teachers and spiritual leaders in the church?
  2. What does it mean practically that God 'remembers your sins no more' under the New Covenant?
  3. In what ways should every believer's direct access to God through Christ shape personal spiritual life and church structure?
  4. How does the complete forgiveness promised in the New Covenant differ from the repeated sacrifices required under the old covenant?
  5. What assurance does this verse provide for believers struggling with guilt over past sins that have been confessed and forgiven?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
וְלֹ֧א1 of 29
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יְלַמְּד֣וּ2 of 29

And they shall teach

H3925

properly, to goad, i.e., (by implication) to teach (the rod being an middle eastern incentive)

ע֗וֹד3 of 29
H5750

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

וְאִ֤ישׁ4 of 29

and every man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֶת5 of 29
H853

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

רֵעֵ֜הוּ6 of 29

his neighbour

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

וְאִ֤ישׁ7 of 29

and every man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֶת8 of 29
H853

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

אָחִיו֙9 of 29

his brother

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

לֵאמֹ֔ר10 of 29

saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יֵדְע֨וּ11 of 29

Know

H3045

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

אֶת12 of 29
H853

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

יְהוָ֔ה13 of 29

the LORD

H3068

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

כִּֽי14 of 29
H3588

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

כוּלָּם֩15 of 29
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יֵדְע֨וּ16 of 29

Know

H3045

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

אוֹתִ֜י17 of 29
H853

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

לְמִקְטַנָּ֤ם18 of 29

me from the least

H6996

abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)

וְעַד19 of 29
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

גְּדוֹלָם֙20 of 29

of them unto the greatest

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

נְאֻם21 of 29

of them saith

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֔ה22 of 29

the LORD

H3068

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

כִּ֤י23 of 29
H3588

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

אֶסְלַח֙24 of 29

for I will forgive

H5545

to forgive

לַֽעֲוֹנָ֔ם25 of 29

their iniquity

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

וּלְחַטָּאתָ֖ם26 of 29

their sin

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

לֹ֥א27 of 29
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אֶזְכָּר28 of 29

and I will remember

H2142

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

עֽוֹד׃29 of 29
H5750

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


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 31:34 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 31:34 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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