King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 31:9 Mean?

Jeremiah 31:9 in the King James Version says “They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Jeremiah 31:9 · KJV

Context

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.

11

For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he.

Read Jeremiah 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God describes the remnant's return: they come weeping with supplications (prayers), and God Himself leads them. These are tears of repentance, grief over sin, and joy at restoration. The phrase 'I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters' promises provision during their journey—unlike the historical return which faced hardship, the ultimate restoration will lack nothing. 'In a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble' assures that God removes obstacles and guides perfectly.

The declaration 'I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn' is profoundly tender. Despite Israel's rebellion, God remains their Father. Ephraim (representing the northern kingdom) is called 'firstborn'—the favored son receiving the inheritance. This shows that God's fatherly love transcends their unfaithfulness. He does not relate to them based on their merit but on His covenant commitment and paternal affection.

This fatherhood theme is central to the gospel. Jesus taught us to pray 'Our Father' and revealed God's fatherly heart through the prodigal son parable (Luke 15:11-32). Paul emphasizes that believers receive 'the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father' (Romans 8:15). God's relationship with His people is not merely contractual (covenant) but familial (father-child). This changes everything—we obey not from fear but from love, and we approach God with confidence as beloved children.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The historical return from Babylon was difficult—opposition from surrounding peoples, poverty, and the challenge of rebuilding (Ezra and Nehemiah chronicle these struggles). Yet Jeremiah's prophecy points beyond this to the ultimate return when God's people come from all nations (Acts 2; Revelation 7:9), led by Christ the Good Shepherd, to dwell forever in God's presence without tears, pain, or death (Revelation 21:4).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean that God is 'a father to Israel'—how does this paternal relationship shape our understanding of God's dealings with His people?
  2. How do the tears of returning exiles reflect both repentance for past sin and joy at restoration—and how does this apply to Christian conversion?
  3. In what ways does God 'lead' His people along straight paths where they will not stumble?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
בִּבְכִ֣י1 of 20

“with weeping”

H1065

a weeping; by analogy, a dripping

יָבֹ֗אוּ2 of 20

“They shall come”

H935

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

וּֽבְתַחֲנוּנִים֮3 of 20

“and with supplications”

H8469

earnest prayer

אֽוֹבִילֵם֒4 of 20

“will I lead”

H2986

properly, to flow; causatively, to bring (especially with pomp)

אֽוֹלִיכֵם֙5 of 20
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אֶל6 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

נַ֣חֲלֵי7 of 20

“by the rivers”

H5158

a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)

מַ֔יִם8 of 20

“of waters”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ9 of 20

“way”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

יָשָׁ֔ר10 of 20

“in a straight”

H3477

straight (literally or figuratively)

לֹ֥א11 of 20
H3808

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

יִכָּשְׁל֖וּ12 of 20

“wherein they shall not stumble”

H3782

to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall

בָּ֑הּ13 of 20
H0
כִּֽי14 of 20
H3588

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

הָיִ֤יתִי15 of 20
H1961

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

לְיִשְׂרָאֵל֙16 of 20

“to Israel”

H3478

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

לְאָ֔ב17 of 20

“for I am a father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וְאֶפְרַ֖יִם18 of 20

“and Ephraim”

H669

ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

בְּכֹ֥רִי19 of 20

“is my firstborn”

H1060

first-born; hence, chief

הֽוּא׃20 of 20
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

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 31:9 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 31:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 5:4Exodus 4:22Jeremiah 3:4Jeremiah 50:4Jeremiah 31:20Psalms 23:2

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