King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 31:8 Mean?

Jeremiah 31:8 in the King James Version says “Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind ...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jeremiah 31:8 · KJV

Context

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

10

Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.

Read Jeremiah 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. This verse promises comprehensive restoration that reverses the exile. I will bring them from the north country specifically addresses Babylon (consistently called 'north' in Jeremiah though geographically northeast, since invaders approached via the northern route). Gather them from the coasts of the earth uses qavats (קָבַץ), meaning to assemble or collect what has been scattered—the same word used of regathering after worldwide dispersion (Deuteronomy 30:3-4).

Remarkably, the regathered include the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth—precisely those least able to make the arduous journey from Babylon. This demonstrates that restoration is divine work, not human achievement. In ancient warfare, the weak were often left behind or perished; God promises none will be excluded from His regathering. This merciful inclusion echoes Isaiah 35:5-6 where blind eyes and lame legs are healed in the messianic age.

A great company shall return thither (קָהָל גָּדוֹל, qahal gadol) envisions massive restoration exceeding the actual historical return under Zerubbabel (c. 50,000 per Ezra 2:64). This points beyond the post-exilic return to the great ingathering of Jew and Gentile in Messiah's kingdom (Isaiah 11:10-12, Matthew 8:11, Revelation 7:9).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The return from Babylon (538 BC onward) fulfilled this partially—exiles did return to rebuild. Yet numbers were modest, and the prophecy's full scope (worldwide regathering, comprehensive inclusion of the weak) remained unfulfilled. Second Temple Judaism recognized this tension, developing hope for a future, greater regathering. Jesus' ministry deliberately included the blind, lame, and outcast (Luke 14:13, 21), signaling the messianic restoration's arrival. The church's mission to 'the ends of the earth' (Acts 1:8) continues this ingathering until Christ returns.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's promise to include 'the blind and the lame' in restoration challenge human tendency to value strength and ability?
  2. What does it mean that restoration is God's work ('I will bring them') rather than human achievement?
  3. In what ways does the church's inclusion of weak, marginalized, and unlikely members reflect this prophecy's fulfillment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
הִנְנִי֩1 of 18
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

מֵבִ֨יא2 of 18

“Behold I will bring”

H935

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

אוֹתָ֜ם3 of 18
H853

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

אָרֶץ֒4 of 18

“country”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

צָפ֗וֹן5 of 18

“them from the north”

H6828

properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)

וְקִבַּצְתִּים֮6 of 18

“and gather”

H6908

to grasp, i.e., collect

מִיַּרְכְּתֵי7 of 18

“them from the coasts”

H3411

properly, the flank; but used only figuratively, the rear or recess

אָרֶץ֒8 of 18

“country”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

בָּ֚ם9 of 18
H0
עִוֵּ֣ר10 of 18

“and with them the blind”

H5787

blind (literally or figuratively)

וּפִסֵּ֔חַ11 of 18

“and the lame”

H6455

lame

הָרָ֥ה12 of 18

“the woman with child”

H2030

pregnant

וְיֹלֶ֖דֶת13 of 18

“and her that travaileth with child”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

יַחְדָּ֑ו14 of 18

“together”

H3162

properly, a unit, i.e., (adverb) unitedly

קָהָ֥ל15 of 18

“company”

H6951

assemblage (usually concretely)

גָּד֖וֹל16 of 18

“a great”

H1419

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

יָשׁ֥וּבוּ17 of 18

“shall return”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

הֵֽנָּה׃18 of 18
H2008

hither or thither (but used both of place and time)

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 31:8 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 31:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 34:16Isaiah 42:16Jeremiah 23:8Micah 4:6Hebrews 12:12Jeremiah 3:18

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