Jeremiah 31:33

What does Jeremiah 31:33 mean?

A plain-English look at Jeremiah 31:33 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Jeremiah 31:33 means

Jeremiah 31:33 describes a new covenant God will establish with Israel, distinct from the old. Instead of laws written on stone, God promises to inscribe his law directly onto their hearts and minds. This signifies an internal transformation, a divinely empowered desire to obey rather than external compulsion. It highlights an intimate, personal relationship where God is truly their God and they are genuinely His people, implying a new level of spiritual understanding and commitment. This internalisation of the law leads to a deeper, more abiding obedience and a restored covenantal relationship.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith Jehovah: I will put my law in their inward parts, and in their heart will I write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith Jehovah: I will put my law in their inward parts, and in their heart will I write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But this is the agreement which I will make with the people of Israel after those days, says the Lord; I will put my law in their inner parts, writing it in their hearts; and I will be their God, and they will be my people.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

For this <FI>is<Fi> the covenant that I make, With the house of Israel, after those days, An affirmation of Jehovah, I have given My law in their inward part, And on their heart I do write it, And I have been to them for God, And they are to me for a people.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel, after those days, saith the Lord: I will give my law in their bowels, and I will write it in their heart: and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel, after those days, saith Jehovah: I will put my law in their inward parts, and will write it in their heart; and I will be theirGod, and they shall be my people.

Context

This verse is central to Jeremiah 31, which focuses on the restoration and new covenant God will make with Israel and Judah after their exile. Preceding verses speak of comfort, return from captivity, and joy, setting the stage for this transformative promise. Following verses elaborate on the permanence and everlasting nature of this new covenant, contrasting it with the broken Sinai covenant. God is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to the exiled Israelites, offering a message of hope and future spiritual renewal that undergirds the entire chapter's theme of restoration.

v.32not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was a husband unto them, saith Jehovah.

v.33This passage

v.34And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know Jehovah; for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith Jehovah: for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin will I remember no more.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Psalms 40:8

    I delight to do thy will, O my God; Yea, thy law is within my heart.

  • Romans 8:2

    For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.

  • Genesis 17:7

    And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee.

  • Ezekiel 37:27

    My tabernacle also shall be with them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

  • Hebrews 10:16

    This is the covenant that I will make with them After those days, saith the Lord: I will put my laws on their heart, And upon their mind also will I write them; then saith he,

  • Ezekiel 36:25

    And I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

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