King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 33:11 Mean?

Jeremiah 33:11 in the King James Version says “The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them ... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 33 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 33:11 · KJV


Context

9

And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.

10

Thus saith the LORD; Again there shall be heard in this place, which ye say shall be desolate without man and without beast, even in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, that are desolate, without man, and without inhabitant, and without beast,

11

The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.

12

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Again in this place, which is desolate without man and without beast, and in all the cities thereof, shall be an habitation of shepherds causing their flocks to lie down.

13

In the cities of the mountains, in the cities of the vale, and in the cities of the south, and in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, shall the flocks pass again under the hands of him that telleth them, saith the LORD.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride—Four 'voices' replace death-silence with life-celebration. Sason (joy) and simchah (gladness) are wedding terms; marriage imagery represents covenant restoration. The bridegroom-bride motif runs from Hosea through Revelation (19:7-9), depicting God's relationship with His people as marital intimacy restored after adultery.

Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever (הוֹדוּ לַיהוָה צְבָאוֹת כִּי־טוֹב יְהוָה כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ, hodu laYHWH Tzeva'ot ki-tov YHWH ki le'olam chasdo)—This is Psalm 136's refrain, the temple liturgy. Restored worship centers on YHWH's chesed (loyal covenant love) that endures forever, despite Israel's unfaithfulness. Grace outlasts judgment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Babylonian conquest silenced Jerusalem's wedding celebrations and temple worship (Jeremiah 7:34, 16:9). The promised restoration of these joyful sounds signals comprehensive renewal—social (weddings), religious (sacrifices), and communal (praise). The post-exilic community rebuilt the temple and resumed sacrifices (Ezra 3:11 uses this same Psalm 136 refrain), but ultimate fulfillment awaits Christ's marriage supper of the Lamb.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the restoration of wedding joy represent more than just population growth—what does it say about covenant renewal?
  2. Why does restored worship center on God's chesed (loyal love) rather than His power or justice?
  3. In what ways does the church's worship today anticipate the ultimate 'voice of the bridegroom and bride' at Christ's return?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 32 words
ק֣וֹל1 of 32

The voice

H6963

a voice or sound

שָׂשׂ֞וֹן2 of 32

of joy

H8342

cheerfulness; specifically, welcome

ק֣וֹל3 of 32

The voice

H6963

a voice or sound

שִׂמְחָ֗ה4 of 32

of gladness

H8057

blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)

ק֣וֹל5 of 32

The voice

H6963

a voice or sound

חָתָן֮6 of 32

of the bridegroom

H2860

a relative by marriage (especially through the bride); figuratively, a circumcised child (as a species of religious espousal)

ק֣וֹל7 of 32

The voice

H6963

a voice or sound

כַּלָּה֒8 of 32

of the bride

H3618

a bride (as if perfect); hence, a son's wife

ק֣וֹל9 of 32

The voice

H6963

a voice or sound

אָמַ֥ר10 of 32

of them that shall say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הוֹדוּ֩11 of 32

Praise

H3034

physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the ha

אֶת12 of 32
H853

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

יְהוָֽה׃13 of 32

for the LORD

H3068

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

צְבָא֜וֹת14 of 32

of hosts

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

כִּֽי15 of 32
H3588

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

ט֤וֹב16 of 32

is good

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

יְהוָֽה׃17 of 32

for the LORD

H3068

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

כִּֽי18 of 32
H3588

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

לְעוֹלָ֣ם19 of 32

endureth for ever

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

חַסְדּ֔וֹ20 of 32

for his mercy

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

מְבִאִ֥ים21 of 32

and of them that shall bring

H935

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

תּוֹדָ֖ה22 of 32

the sacrifice of praise

H8426

properly, an extension of the hand, i.e., (by implication) avowal, or (usually) adoration; specifically, a choir of worshippers

בֵּ֣ית23 of 32

into the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוָֽה׃24 of 32

for the LORD

H3068

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

כִּֽי25 of 32
H3588

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

אָשִׁ֧יב26 of 32

For I will cause to return

H7725

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

אֶת27 of 32
H853

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

שְׁבוּת28 of 32

the captivity

H7622

exile, concretely, prisoners; figuratively, a former state of prosperity

הָאָ֛רֶץ29 of 32

of the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

כְּבָרִאשֹׁנָ֖ה30 of 32

as at the first

H7223

first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)

אָמַ֥ר31 of 32

of them that shall say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָֽה׃32 of 32

for 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 33:11 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 33:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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