Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “Only if these decrees vanish from my sight,” declares the LORD, “will Israel ever cease being a nation before me.” declares the LORD. New Living Translation “I am as likely to reject my people Israel as I am to abolish the laws of nature!” English Standard Version “If this fixed order departs from before me, declares the LORD, then shall the offspring of Israel cease from being a nation before me forever.” Berean Standard Bible “Only if this fixed order departed from My presence, declares the LORD, would Israel’s descendants ever cease to be a nation before Me.” King James Bible If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever. New King James Version “If those ordinances depart From before Me, says the LORD, Then the seed of Israel shall also cease From being a nation before Me forever.” New American Standard Bible “If this fixed order departs From Me,” declares the LORD, “Then the descendants of Israel also will cease To be a nation before Me forever.” NASB 1995 “If this fixed order departs From before Me,” declares the LORD, “Then the offspring of Israel also will cease From being a nation before Me forever.” NASB 1977 “If this fixed order departs From before Me,” declares the LORD, “Then the offspring of Israel also shall cease From being a nation before Me forever.” Legacy Standard Bible “If these statutes are removed From before Me,” declares Yahweh, “Then the seed of Israel also will cease From being a nation before Me forever.” Amplified Bible “If this fixed order departs From before Me,” says the LORD, “Then the descendants of Israel also will cease From being a nation before Me forever.” Christian Standard Bible If this fixed order departs from before me — this is the LORD’s declaration — only then will Israel’s descendants cease to be a nation before me forever. Holman Christian Standard Bible If this fixed order departs from My presence— this is the LORD’s declaration— then also Israel’s descendants will cease to be a nation before Me forever. American Standard Version If these ordinances depart from before me, saith Jehovah, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever. Contemporary English Version I will never forget to give those commands, and I will never let Israel stop being a nation. I, the LORD, have spoken. English Revised Version If these ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever. GOD'S WORD® Translation Only if these laws stop working, declares the LORD, will Israel's descendants stop being a nation in my presence. Good News Translation He promises that as long as the natural order lasts, so long will Israel be a nation. International Standard Version "If these laws cease to function in my presence," declares the LORD, "then the descendants of Israel will cease to be a nation in my presence for all time!" NET Bible The LORD affirms, "The descendants of Israel will not cease forever to be a nation in my sight. That could only happen if the fixed ordering of the heavenly lights were to cease to operate before me." New Heart English Bible "If this fixed order departs from before me," says the LORD, "then the descendants of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me forever." Webster's Bible Translation If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“Only if this fixed order departed from My presence, declares the LORD, would Israel’s descendants ever cease to be a nation before Me.” World English Bible “If these ordinances depart from before me,” says Yahweh, “then the offspring of Israel also will cease from being a nation before me forever.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Version“If these statutes depart from before Me,” "" A declaration of YHWH, "" “Even the seed of Israel ceases "" From being a nation before Me [for] all the days.” Young's Literal Translation If these statutes depart from before Me, An affirmation of Jehovah, Even the seed of Israel doth cease From being a nation before Me all the days. Smith's Literal Translation If these laws shall depart from my face, says Jehovah, also the seed of Israel shall cease from being a nation before me all the days. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIf these ordinances shall fail before me, saith the Lord: then also the seed of Israel shall fail, so as not to be a nation before me for ever. Catholic Public Domain Version If these laws fail in my sight, says the Lord, then the offspring of Israel will also fail, so that they will not be a people in my sight for all time.” New American Bible If ever this fixed order gives way before me—oracle of the LORD— Then would the offspring of Israel cease as a people before me forever. New Revised Standard Version If this fixed order were ever to cease from my presence, says the LORD, then also the offspring of Israel would cease to be a nation before me forever. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleIf those ordinances depart from before me, says the LORD, then the descendants of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated If these courses shall pass away from before me, says LORD JEHOVAH, also the seed of Israel shall come to an end, that they shall not be a nation before me all of their days OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917If these ordinances depart from before Me, Saith the LORD, Then the seed of Israel also shall cease From being a nation before Me for ever. Brenton Septuagint Translation if these ordinances cease from before me, saith the Lord, then shall the family of Israel cease to be a nation before me forever. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Mourning Turned to Joy…35Thus 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.” 37This 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.… Cross References Genesis 8:22 As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night shall never cease.” Psalm 89:36-37 his offspring shall endure forever, and his throne before Me like the sun, / like the moon, established forever, a faithful witness in the sky.” Selah Isaiah 54:9-10 “For to Me this is like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth. So I have sworn that I will not be angry with you or rebuke you. / Though the mountains may be removed and the hills may be shaken, My loving devotion will not depart from you, and My covenant of peace will not be broken,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you. Romans 11:1-2 I ask then, did God reject His people? Certainly not! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. / God did not reject His people, whom He foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says about Elijah, how he appealed to God against Israel: Psalm 148:6 He established them forever and ever; He issued a decree that will never pass away. Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away. Isaiah 51:6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth below; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and its people will die like gnats. But My salvation will last forever, and My righteousness will never fail. Hebrews 1:10-12 And: “In the beginning, O Lord, You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. / They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment. / You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed; but You remain the same, and Your years will never end.” Isaiah 55:3 Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David. Romans 11:29 For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. Malachi 3:6 “Because I, the LORD, do not change, you descendants of Jacob have not been destroyed. 2 Peter 3:7 And by that same word, the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. Isaiah 45:17 But Israel will be saved by the LORD with an everlasting salvation; you will not be put to shame or humiliated, to ages everlasting. Luke 21:33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away. Treasury of Scripture If those ordinances depart from before me, said the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever. those. Jeremiah 33:20-26 Thus saith the LORD; If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season; … Psalm 72:5,17 They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations… Psalm 89:36,37 His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me… cease. Jeremiah 46:28 Fear thou not, O Jacob my servant, saith the LORD: for I am with thee; for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I have driven thee: but I will not make a full end of thee, but correct thee in measure; yet will I not leave thee wholly unpunished. Deuteronomy 32:26 I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men: Amos 9:8,9 Behold, the eyes of the Lord GOD are upon the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from off the face of the earth; saving that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob, saith the LORD… Jump to Previous Affirmation Broken Cease Declares Decrees Depart Departs Descendants Fixed Forever Israel Nation Offspring Order Ordinances Seed Sight Statutes VanishJump to Next Affirmation Broken Cease Declares Decrees Depart Departs Descendants Fixed Forever Israel Nation Offspring Order Ordinances Seed Sight Statutes VanishJeremiah 31 1. The restoration of Israel.10. The publication thereof. 15. Rahel mourning is comforted. 18. Ephraim repenting is brought home again. 22. Christ is promised. 27. His care over the church. 31. His new covenant. 35. The stability, 38. and amplitude of the church. Only if this fixed order departed from My presence, declares the LORD This phrase emphasizes the unchanging nature of God's covenant with Israel. The "fixed order" refers to the natural laws governing the universe, such as the cycles of day and night, which are established by God. This reflects the creation account in Genesis, where God sets the celestial bodies in place. The phrase "declares the LORD" underscores the authority and certainty of God's promise. In biblical context, this assurance is given during a time of turmoil and exile for Israel, reinforcing God's faithfulness despite their circumstances. The fixed order symbolizes God's unchanging nature, as seen in Malachi 3:6, "For I the LORD do not change." would Israel’s descendants ever cease to be a nation before Me Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, known for his prophecies concerning the judgment and restoration of Israel. He is the author of the Book of Jeremiah. 2. Israel The nation chosen by God, often referred to in the context of God's covenant and promises. In this verse, it represents the descendants of Jacob and the people of God. 3. The LORD (Yahweh) The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging nature. He is the speaker in this verse, affirming His commitment to Israel. 4. Fixed Order Refers to the natural order established by God, such as the laws of nature and the universe. It symbolizes God's unchanging faithfulness and sovereignty. 5. Covenant The divine promise and agreement between God and Israel, which includes the assurance of Israel's continued existence as a nation. Teaching Points God's Unchanging NatureJust as the natural order is constant, so is God's faithfulness to His promises. Believers can trust in God's unwavering commitment to His word. The Assurance of God's Promises The verse reassures us that God's promises to Israel are secure. This serves as a reminder that God's promises to us are equally steadfast. The Importance of Covenant Understanding the concept of covenant helps us grasp the depth of God's relationship with His people. It is a binding agreement that God will not break. Hope in Restoration For Israel, this verse is a promise of restoration and continuity. For Christians, it is a reminder of the hope we have in Christ for spiritual restoration. Faithfulness in Our Lives As God is faithful to His promises, we are called to reflect His faithfulness in our relationships and commitments. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 31:36?2. How does Jeremiah 31:36 affirm God's unchanging nature and promises to Israel? 3. What conditions in Jeremiah 31:36 ensure Israel's permanence as a nation before God? 4. How does Jeremiah 31:36 connect with God's covenant promises in Genesis 17:7? 5. How can we trust God's promises in our lives, as seen in Jeremiah 31:36? 6. How does Jeremiah 31:36 encourage us to remain faithful amidst challenges today? 7. How does Jeremiah 31:36 affirm God's unchanging nature and promises to Israel? 8. What historical context surrounds Jeremiah 31:36 and its message to the Israelites? 9. How does Jeremiah 31:36 relate to the concept of God's covenant with Israel? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 31? 11. Is God a deity of order? 12. How can Jeremiah 31:35-37 claim that the fixed order of the sun, moon, and stars ensures Israel's permanence when modern science shows celestial bodies change over time? 13. How do we reconcile God's promise never to forsake Israel (Deut. 31:6) with the nation's repeated historical exiles and oppressions? 14. (Leviticus 26:44) Does God's promise never to fully reject Israel conflict with other passages about divine judgment and exile? What Does Jeremiah 31:36 Mean Only if this fixed orderGod anchors His promise to the very fabric of creation. Earlier He says, “Thus says the LORD, who gives the sun for light by day, and the fixed order of the moon and stars for light by night” (Jeremiah 31:35). • The rhythm of day and night (Genesis 8:22) and the unbroken pattern of seasons (Psalm 74:16-17) stand as daily reminders that His covenantal word is just as steady. • Jeremiah later repeats the thought: “If you can break My covenant with the day and My covenant with the night… then My covenant with David My servant may also be broken” (Jeremiah 33:20-21). Because the heavens still run on schedule, we can be sure His pledge to Israel remains intact. departed from My presence The verse imagines an impossible scenario—creation somehow slipping out of God’s sustaining hand. Scripture pictures such a collapse only as poetic hyperbole (Job 34:14-15; Psalm 104:29). • God does not merely set the universe in motion; He upholds it continually (Colossians 1:17). • If the cosmic order could leave His presence, everything would unravel—yet He explicitly says it will not (Jeremiah 31:35). The permanence of creation therefore becomes a living illustration of His unwavering relationship with Israel. declares the LORD This phrase stamps the statement with divine authority. • When God says, “I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass” (Isaiah 46:11), His word is unbreakable. • Hebrews affirms, “It is impossible for God to lie” (Hebrews 6:18). Every time Scripture adds “declares the LORD,” He is placing His own character as collateral behind the promise. would Israel’s descendants God focuses on the physical offspring of Jacob. • He once told Abraham, “Look to the heavens and count the stars… so shall your offspring be” (Genesis 15:5). • Paul insists, “Has God rejected His people? Certainly not!” (Romans 11:1-2). The continuity of Israel’s lineage is woven into God’s redemptive timeline, ultimately culminating in the salvation of “all Israel” (Romans 11:26). ever cease to be a nation The threat of extinction has shadowed Israel’s history, yet the Lord guarantees national survival. • Even under judgment He vowed, “I will not reject them or abhor them to destroy them completely” (Leviticus 26:44-45). • Jeremiah later confronts doubters: “Have you not noticed what these people are saying… ‘The LORD has rejected the two families He chose’?… I will restore their fortunes” (Jeremiah 33:24-26). Israel’s national identity, therefore, is safeguarded by covenant, not by geopolitical strength. before Me The phrase highlights relationship, not mere existence. • David’s line was promised to endure “before Me forever; your throne will be established like the days of the heavens” (Psalm 89:36-37). • God intends Israel to be “a people for His treasured possession” (Deuteronomy 7:6), living continually in His sight. Their ongoing place “before” Him underscores acceptance, purpose, and future restoration (Jeremiah 32:40-41). summary Jeremiah 31:36 uses the steadfast precision of the cosmos to illustrate God’s equally steadfast promise: as long as the sun rises and the stars shine, Israel will remain a nation in His presence. The idea of creation failing is presented only to show how unthinkable it is that God would abandon His covenant people. Every sunrise, therefore, whispers a reminder that His word stands firm, His plan for Israel is intact, and His faithfulness reaches “to all generations” (Psalm 119:90). Hebrew “Only ifאִם־ (’im-) Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not this הָאֵ֛לֶּה (hā·’êl·leh) Article | Pronoun - common plural Strong's 428: These, those fixed order הַחֻקִּ֥ים (ha·ḥuq·qîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 2706: Something prescribed or owed, a statute departed יָמֻ֜שׁוּ (yā·mu·šū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 4185: To depart, remove from My presence, מִלְּפָנַ֖י (mil·lə·p̄ā·nay) Preposition-m, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular Strong's 6440: The face declares נְאֻם־ (nə·’um-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 5002: An oracle the LORD, יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel would Israel’s יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc descendants זֶ֨רַע (ze·ra‘) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 2233: Seed, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity ever כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every cease יִשְׁבְּת֗וּ (yiš·bə·ṯū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 7673: To repose, desist from exertion to be מִֽהְי֥וֹת (mih·yō·wṯ) Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be a nation גּ֛וֹי (gō·w) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts before Me.” לְפָנַ֖י (lə·p̄ā·nay) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular Strong's 6440: The face Links Jeremiah 31:36 NIVJeremiah 31:36 NLT Jeremiah 31:36 ESV Jeremiah 31:36 NASB Jeremiah 31:36 KJV Jeremiah 31:36 BibleApps.com Jeremiah 31:36 Biblia Paralela Jeremiah 31:36 Chinese Bible Jeremiah 31:36 French Bible Jeremiah 31:36 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Jeremiah 31:36 If these ordinances depart from before me (Jer.) |
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