Jeremiah 31:37

God's faithfulness

³⁵ Thus says the LORD, who gives the sun for light by day, who sets in order the moon and stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—the LORD of Hosts is His name:

³⁶ “Only if this fixed order departed from My presence, declares the LORD, would Israel’s descendants ever cease to be a nation before Me.”

This is what the LORD says: “Only if the heavens above could be measured and the foundations of the earth below searched out would I reject all of Israel’s descendants because of all they have done,” declares the LORD.

³⁸ “The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when this city will be rebuilt for Me, from the tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate.

³⁹ The measuring line will once again stretch out straight to the hill of Gareb and then turn toward Goah.

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: This is what the LORD says: “Only if the heavens above could be measured and the foundations of the earth below searched out would I reject all of Israel’s descendants because of all they have done,” declares the LORD.
KJV: Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.
WEB: The LORD says: “If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, then I will also cast off all the offspring of Israel for all that they have done,” says the LORD.
ASV: Thus saith Jehovah: If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, then will I also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith Jehovah.
DARBY: Thus saith Jehovah: If the heavens above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off the whole seed of Israel, for all that they have done, saith Jehovah.
BLB: Thus says YHWH: “If the heavens above could be measured, and the foundations of the earth below searched out, also I will cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done,” a declaration of YHWH.

ÅB: Så sier Herren: Dersom himmelen kan måles der oppe, og jordens grunnvoller utforskes der nede, da vil også jeg forkaste all Israels slekt for alt det de har gjort, sier Herren.
OTB: Dette sier Herren: "Først hvis himlene der oppe kan måles og jordens grunnvoller nedenfor kan utforskes, vil jeg forkaste alle Israels etterkommere på grunn av alt de har gjort," sier Herren.
B1930: Så sier Herren: Dersom himmelen kan måles der oppe, og jordens grunnvoller utforskes der nede, da vil også jeg forkaste all Israels ætt for alt det de har gjort, sier Herren.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Jeremiah 33:24–26
“Have you not noticed what these people are saying: ‘The LORD has rejected the two families He had chosen’? So they despise My people and no longer regard them as a nation.
Read in context
Isaiah 40:12
Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or marked off the heavens with the span of his hand? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on a scale and the hills with a balance?
Read in context
Romans 11:1–5
I ask then, did God reject His people? Certainly not! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin.
Read in context
Jeremiah 33:22
As the hosts of heaven cannot be counted and as the sand on the seashore cannot be measured, so too will I multiply the descendants of My servant David and the Levites who minister before Me.”
Read in context
Romans 11:26–29
And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will remove godlessness from Jacob.
Read in context
Jeremiah 46:28
And you, My servant Jacob, do not be afraid, declares the LORD, for I am with you. Though I will completely destroy all the nations to which I have banished you, I will not completely destroy you. Yet I will discipline you justly, and will by no means leave you unpunished.”
Read in context
Job 11:7–9
Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?
Read in context
Proverbs 30:4
Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has bound up the waters in His cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is the name of His Son— surely you know!
Read in context