Jeremiah 3:1

Faithfulness and loyalty Marriage

“If a man divorces his wife and she leaves him to marry another, can he ever return to her? Would not such a land be completely defiled? But you have played the harlot with many lovers— and you would return to Me?” declares the LORD.

² “Lift up your eyes to the barren heights and see. Is there any place where you have not been violated? You sat beside the highways waiting for your lovers, like a nomad in the desert. You have defiled the land with your prostitution and wickedness.

³ Therefore the showers have been withheld, and no spring rains have fallen. Yet you have the brazen look of a prostitute; you refuse to be ashamed.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: “If a man divorces his wife and she leaves him to marry another, can he ever return to her? Would not such a land be completely defiled? But you have played the harlot with many lovers— and you would return to Me?” declares the LORD.
KJV: They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man’s, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD.
WEB: “They say, ‘If a man puts away his wife, and she goes from him, and becomes another man’s, should he return to her again?’ Wouldn’t that land be greatly polluted? But you have played the prostitute with many lovers; yet return again to me,” says the LORD.
ASV: They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man`s, will he return unto her again? will not that land be greatly polluted? But thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith Jehovah.
DARBY: They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? Would not that land be utterly polluted? But thou hast committed fornication with many lovers; yet return to me, saith Jehovah.
BLB: They say, “If a man divorces his wife, and she goes from him and becomes another man’s, can he return to her again? Shall not that land be completely defiled? And you have played the harlot with many lovers, and yet return to Me?” A declaration of YHWH.

ÅB: Det heter: Når en mann lar sin hustru fare, og hun går fra ham og blir en annen manns, kan han da igjen komme tilbake til henne? Ville ikke da landet bli vanhelliget? Og du, du har drevet hor med mange venner og skulle enda komme tilbake til meg igjen? sier Herren.
OTB: Herren sier: “Hvis en mann skiller seg fra sin kone og hun forlater ham for å bli en annen manns kone, skal han vende tilbake til henne igjen? Ville ikke landet bli grundig besmittet? Likevel har du oppført deg som en skjøge med mange elskere; vil du vende tilbake til meg?” erklærer Herren.
B1930: Det heter: Når en mann lar sin hustru fare, og hun går fra ham og blir en annen manns, kan han da igjen komme tilbake til henne? Vilde ikke da landet bli vanhelliget? Og du, du har drevet hor med mange venner og skulde enda komme tilbake til mig igjen? sier Herren.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Deuteronomy 24:1–4
If a man marries a woman, but she becomes displeasing to him because he finds some indecency in her, he may write her a certificate of divorce, hand it to her, and send her away from his house.
Read in context
Ezekiel 16:26
You prostituted yourself with your lustful neighbors, the Egyptians, and increased your promiscuity to provoke Me to anger.
Read in context
Jeremiah 4:1
“If you will return, O Israel, return to Me,” declares the LORD. “If you will remove your detestable idols from My sight and no longer waver,
Read in context
Ezekiel 23:4–49
The older was named Oholah, and her sister was named Oholibah. They became Mine and gave birth to sons and daughters. As for their identities, Oholah is Samaria, and Oholibah is Jerusalem.
Read in context
Jeremiah 2:20
“For long ago you broke your yoke and tore off your chains, saying, ‘I will not serve!’ Indeed, on every high hill and under every green tree you lay down as a prostitute.
Read in context
Ezekiel 16:28–29
Then you prostituted yourself with the Assyrians, because you were not yet satisfied. Even after that, you were still not satisfied.
Read in context
Deuteronomy 4:29–31
But if from there you will seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Read in context
Hosea 2:5–7
For their mother has played the harlot and has conceived them in disgrace. For she thought, ‘I will go after my lovers, who give me bread and water, wool and linen, oil and drink.’
Read in context