King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 50:19 Mean?

Jeremiah 50:19 in the King James Version says “And I will bring Israel again to his habitation, and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan, and his soul shall be satisfied...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 50 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And I will bring Israel again to his habitation, and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan, and his soul shall be satisfied upon mount Ephraim and Gilead.”

Jeremiah 50:19 · KJV

Context

17

Israel is a scattered sheep; the lions have driven him away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones.

18

Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will punish the king of Babylon and his land, as I have punished the king of Assyria.

19

And I will bring Israel again to his habitation, and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan, and his soul shall be satisfied upon mount Ephraim and Gilead.

20

In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve.

21

Go up against the land of Merathaim, even against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod: waste and utterly destroy after them, saith the LORD, and do according to all that I have commanded thee. of Merathaim: or, of the rebels Pekod: or, Visitation

Read Jeremiah 50 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And I will bring Israel again to his habitation—God promises restoration following judgment. The verb shuv (שׁוּב, bring again) means to return, restore, bring back—the same word used for repentance. Israel's return is both geographical (back to the land) and spiritual (back to covenant relationship). 'His habitation' (naveh, נָוֶה) means pasture, dwelling place—where the flock belongs under the shepherd's care.

And he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan, and his soul shall be satisfied upon mount Ephraim and Gilead—these geographical locations represent the fullness of the promised land. Carmel (northwest) was famed for fertility. Bashan (northeast) was renowned for pasture and cattle. Mount Ephraim (central hill country) and Gilead (east of Jordan) complete the picture of comprehensive restoration. The verb ra'ah (רָעָה, feed) means to pasture, to shepherd—God as shepherd leads His flock to abundant provision. 'His soul shall be satisfied' (saba, שָׂבַע) means filled, content, having enough—spiritual and physical restoration. This anticipates Jesus as the Good Shepherd (John 10:11) who abundantly satisfies His sheep (Psalm 23:1-3).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The return began in 538 BC under Cyrus's decree (Ezra 1). Multiple waves of exiles returned over subsequent decades, led by Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah. They rebuilt Jerusalem, the temple, and resettled the land. Yet the full restoration prophesied here was not completely realized in the post-exilic period—Rome would later conquer them again. Christian theology sees ultimate fulfillment in the new covenant people of God gathered from all nations, shepherded by Christ, awaiting the new heavens and new earth where God's people will be fully satisfied (Revelation 21-22).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's promise to restore Israel after using Babylon to judge them demonstrate that discipline is not abandonment?
  2. What does the imagery of feeding on abundant pastures teach about the nature of God's restoration—not merely return to status quo but to fullness?
  3. In what ways does this verse point forward to Christ as the Good Shepherd who brings ultimate restoration and satisfaction?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וְשֹׁבַבְתִּ֤י1 of 13

“And I will bring”

H7725

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

אֶת2 of 13
H853

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

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙3 of 13

“Israel”

H3478

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

אֶל4 of 13
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

נָוֵ֔הוּ5 of 13

“to his habitation”

H5116

(adjectively) at home; hence (by implication of satisfaction) lovely; also (noun) a home, of god (temple), men (residence), flocks (pasture), or wild

וְרָעָ֥ה6 of 13

“and he shall feed”

H7462

to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie

הַכַּרְמֶ֖ל7 of 13

“on Carmel”

H3760

karmel, the name of a hill and of a town in palestine

וְהַבָּשָׁ֑ן8 of 13

“and Bashan”

H1316

bashan (often with the article), a region east of the jordan

וּבְהַ֥ר9 of 13

“upon mount”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

אֶפְרַ֛יִם10 of 13

“Ephraim”

H669

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

וְהַגִּלְעָ֖ד11 of 13

“and Gilead”

H1568

gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites

תִּשְׂבַּ֥ע12 of 13

“shall be satisfied”

H7646

to sate, i.e., fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)

נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃13 of 13

“and his soul”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

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 50:19 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 50:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 30:10Micah 7:14Jeremiah 3:18Jeremiah 31:14Jeremiah 31:8-10Amos 9:14-15

Places in This Verse

BashanRegion · Modern: Saham al Jawlan · 32.78°N, 35.93°E53 verses across 15 books
Gilead 1Region · Modern: Tell edh Dhahab esh Sherqiyeh · 32.19°N, 35.69°E86 verses across 21 books
Mount CarmelMountain · Modern: Mount Carmel · 32.67°N, 35.02°E18 verses across 9 books
Mount EphraimRegion · Modern: Beitin · 31.92°N, 35.24°E3 verses across 1 book
View all places in Jeremiah 50 →

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