Jeremiah 31:7

Jeremiah 31:7, in plain English

You're invited to celebrate Jacob's restoration with gladness and shout praises to God, asking Him to save and preserve this surviving remnant of His people.

Why it's here

This isn't just the restoration of a nation—it's an event worth celebrating across communities. Jeremiah is essentially saying: when this happens, recognize it as God's work. Sing about it. Make it known. This is worth your joy.

Who's speaking

The LORD

Where it sits in the story

What happens to Israel matters beyond Israel. God's faithfulness to His people is something the whole world should know about. Restoration is meant to be proclaimed, celebrated, understood as God's character on display.

The scholarly reading

The LORD commands public celebration and thanksgiving for Jacob (Israel), calling the nations to witness this restoration and join in prayer for the remnant's salvation.

Language and setting

The command to 'sing with joy' (שִׂמְחוּ, simchu) invokes liturgical response; Jacob is called 'foremost of the nations' (בְרֹאשׁ הַגּוֹיִם, be'rosh hagoyim), a striking reversal of the humiliation-language that dominates exilic literature. The phrase 'remnant of Israel' (שְׁאֵרִית יִשְׂרָאֵל, sherith Yisrael) acknowledges that not all Israel survives intact—some have died, some have assimilated—yet those remaining constitute the covenant-people. This realistic assessment, combined with exultant hope, defines exilic theology.

Voice

The LORD, explicitly instructing His people in the form of imperative verbs that constitute divine commissioning.

Significance

This anticipates the New Testament's inclusion of gentiles in God's redemptive drama—the nations are called to witness and affirm Israel's restoration. Barnabas and later patristic commentators saw this as prefiguring the Church's universal mission.

5Again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria; the farmers will plant and enjoy the fruit.

6For there will be a day when watchmen will call out on the hills of Ephraim, ‘Arise, let us go up to Zion, to the LORD our God!’”

7For this is what the LORD says: “Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations! Make your praises heard, and say, ‘O LORD, save Your people, the remnant of Israel!’

8Behold, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, including the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor. They will return as a great assembly!

9They will come with weeping, and by their supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk beside streams of waters, on a level path where they will not stumble. For I am Israel’s Father, and Ephraim is My firstborn.”

Read all of Jeremiah 31 — God promises something revolutionary: a covenant written not on stone but on hearts. No longer external rules — internal transformation.