King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 31:37 Mean?

Jeremiah 31:37 in the King James Version says “Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.”

Jeremiah 31:37 · KJV

Context

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.

37

Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.

38

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the city shall be built to the LORD from the tower of Hananeel unto the gate of the corner.

39

And the measuring line shall yet go forth over against it upon the hill Gareb, and shall compass about to Goath.

Read Jeremiah 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
If heaven above can be measured (אִם־יִמַּדּוּ שָׁמַיִם מִלְמַעְלָה)—God stakes Israel's security on physical impossibilities. The verb madad (מָדַד, to measure) appears in creation contexts—God 'measured' the waters in His hand (Isaiah 40:12). The parallel structure intensifies: measuring the immeasurable heavens, searching out unsearchable foundations of the earth (מוֹסְדֵי־אֶרֶץ, mosedei-eretz).

I will also cast off all the seed of Israel—the zera' (seed, זֶרַע) recalls the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 13:16, 15:5). God essentially says: 'My covenant with Abraham's offspring is as unbreakable as creation's structure.' This answers Israel's despairing question in exile: 'Has God abandoned us?' The New Covenant (vv. 31-34) doesn't replace but fulfills God's irrevocable election (Romans 11:1-2, 28-29).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Written to exiles who felt God had abandoned them after Jerusalem's destruction (586 BC), this verse follows the New Covenant promise (vv. 31-36). Ancient Near Eastern suzerain treaties often included permanence clauses tied to cosmic order—Jeremiah invokes this form to guarantee Israel's survival despite judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. What current circumstances tempt you to believe God has abandoned His promises to you?
  2. How does the immutability of physical creation reflect the unchangeability of God's covenantal character?
  3. In what ways does this verse inform Paul's argument in Romans 9-11 about Israel's future?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
כֹּ֣ה׀1 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

אָמַ֣ר2 of 23

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָֽה׃3 of 23

“the LORD”

H3068

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

אִם4 of 23
H518

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

יִמַּ֤דּוּ5 of 23

“can be measured”

H4058

properly, to stretch; by implication, to measure (as if by stretching a line); figuratively, to be extended

שָׁמַ֙יִם֙6 of 23

“If heaven”

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

מִלְמַ֔עְלָה7 of 23

“above”

H4605

properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc

וְיֵחָקְר֥וּ8 of 23

“searched out”

H2713

properly, to penetrate; hence, to examine intimately

מֽוֹסְדֵי9 of 23

“and the foundations”

H4146

a foundation

אֶ֖רֶץ10 of 23

“of the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

לְמָ֑טָּה11 of 23

“beneath”

H4295

downward, below or beneath; often adverbially with or without prefixes

גַּם12 of 23
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אֲנִ֞י13 of 23
H589

i

אֶמְאַ֨ס14 of 23

“I will also cast off”

H3988

to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear

בְּכָל15 of 23
H3605

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

זֶ֧רַע16 of 23

“all the seed”

H2233

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל17 of 23

“of Israel”

H3478

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

עַֽל18 of 23
H5921

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

כָּל19 of 23
H3605

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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר20 of 23
H834

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

עָשׂ֖וּ21 of 23

“for all that they have done”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

נְאֻם22 of 23

“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 31:37 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 31:37 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 33:24-26Isaiah 40:12Romans 11:1-5Jeremiah 33:22Romans 11:26-29Jeremiah 46:28

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