King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 31:7 Mean?

Jeremiah 31:7 in the King James Version says “For thus saith the LORD; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, ...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For thus saith the LORD; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O LORD, save thy people, the remnant of Israel.”

Jeremiah 31:7 · KJV

Salvation

Context

5

Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria: the planters shall plant, and shall eat them as common things. eat: Heb. profane them

6

For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the LORD our God.

7

For thus saith the LORD; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O LORD, save thy people, the remnant of Israel.

8

Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither.

9

They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. supplications: or, favours

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For thus saith the LORD; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O LORD, save thy people, the remnant of Israel. This verse commands celebration for restoration that is both certain (prophetic perfect tense) and intercessory (prayer for salvation). Sing with gladness uses rinnah (רִנָּה), a joyful shout or cry of jubilation, while shout translates tsahal (צָהַל), meaning to cry out shrilly with joy. These are not quiet hymns but exuberant proclamation.

Among the chief of the nations (בְּרֹאשׁ הַגּוֹיִם, b'rosh ha-goyim) positions Israel's restoration as testimony to the Gentile world—God's purposes for Israel have cosmic scope. Publish ye, praise ye employs shama (שָׁמַע, make heard) and halal (הָלַל, praise), demanding public proclamation, not private piety.

The prayer O LORD, save thy people, the remnant of Israel uses yoshia (יוֹשִׁיעָ, save/deliver), the verbal root of 'Jesus' (Yeshua). The remnant (she'erit, שְׁאֵרִית) refers to survivors—those preserved through judgment. This remnant theology pervades Scripture: God always preserves a faithful few (Isaiah 10:20-22, Romans 11:5). Though nations rise against Israel, God's covenant ensures a remnant survives to inherit promises. This points to Christ, the ultimate remnant of one (Isaiah 49:3-6), through whom faithful Israel—Jew and Gentile—is constituted.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Written during Babylon's siege of Jerusalem (588-586 BC), this call to celebrate salvation seemed absurd. The nation faced destruction, not deliverance. Yet Jeremiah commanded prophetic faith—praising God for promises before their fulfillment. The 'remnant' acknowledges that judgment would nearly extinguish Israel, but God would preserve survivors. Historically, Cyrus's decree (538 BC) allowed return, but only a small remnant chose to leave Babylon. The theology of remnant shaped Judaism's self-understanding: not all ethnic Israelites constitute true Israel, but only those faithful to covenant.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to praise God for promises not yet fulfilled, and how does this demonstrate faith?
  2. How does the concept of 'the remnant' challenge assumptions that numerical majority equals divine approval?
  3. In what sense are believers today called to 'publish' God's salvation 'among the chief of the nations'?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
כִּי1 of 20
H3588

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

כֹ֣ה׀2 of 20
H3541

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

וְאִמְר֔וּ3 of 20

“For thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָה֙4 of 20

“O LORD”

H3068

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

רָנּ֤וּ5 of 20

“Sing”

H7442

properly, to creak (or emit a stridulous sound), i.e., to shout (usually for joy)

לְיַֽעֲקֹב֙6 of 20

“for Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

שִׂמְחָ֔ה7 of 20

“with gladness”

H8057

blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)

וְצַהֲל֖וּ8 of 20

“and shout”

H6670

to gleam, i.e., (figuratively) be cheerful

בְּרֹ֣אשׁ9 of 20

“among the chief”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

הַגּוֹיִ֑ם10 of 20

“of the nations”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

הַשְׁמִ֤יעוּ11 of 20

“publish”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

הַֽלְלוּ֙12 of 20

“ye praise”

H1984

to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causativ

וְאִמְר֔וּ13 of 20

“For thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הוֹשַׁ֤ע14 of 20

“save”

H3467

properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor

יְהוָה֙15 of 20

“O LORD”

H3068

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

אֶֽת16 of 20
H853

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

עַמְּךָ֔17 of 20

“thy people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אֵ֖ת18 of 20
H853

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

שְׁאֵרִ֥ית19 of 20

“the remnant”

H7611

a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃20 of 20

“of Israel”

H3478

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

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 31:7 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 31:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 37:31Psalms 14:7Psalms 28:9Isaiah 42:10-12Jeremiah 23:3Micah 2:12

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