What is the meaning of Jeremiah 31:39? The measuring line will once again • God speaks of a literal instrument used by builders (cf. Zechariah 2:1-2) to survey and mark boundaries. • The phrase “once again” signals restoration after judgment; the city that had been torn down (Jeremiah 31:28) will be rebuilt (Jeremiah 31:38). • A straight line conveys careful, ordered planning—no haphazard patch-up but a deliberate, righteous rebuilding (Isaiah 28:17; Amos 7:7-8). • The verse follows immediately after the New Covenant promise (Jeremiah 31:31-34), tying spiritual renewal to physical renewal: when hearts are changed, communities are also restored (Isaiah 61:4). stretch out straight to the hill of Gareb • “Stretch out” pictures expansion; Jerusalem’s footprint will reach farther than before (Isaiah 54:2-3). • The hill of Gareb is likely the north-western edge of ancient Jerusalem, showing the new wall will cover exposed areas once vulnerable to attack (Nehemiah 3:19-20). • By naming a specific landmark, the Lord underscores the concreteness of His promise—real geography, real stones, real protection (Isaiah 62:6-7). • The straight course to Gareb mirrors God’s unwavering faithfulness; His plans do not veer off course (Psalm 33:11). and then turn toward Goah • The line “turns,” indicating a full enclosure: not merely a frontage but a complete perimeter (Ezekiel 48:30-35). • Goah, likely on the south-western side near the Valley of Hinnom (Jeremiah 31:40), shows the city will reclaim areas once associated with impurity and judgment—transforming disgrace into holiness (Isaiah 62:4). • The turning emphasizes balance: God’s restoration touches every side of life—north and south, public and private, sacred and formerly profane (Zechariah 14:10-11). • The promise anticipates a future Jerusalem where “it will never again be uprooted or demolished” (Jeremiah 31:40), foreshadowing the secure city of Revelation 21:2. summary The verse assures that Jerusalem will be rebuilt with precision and completeness. God Himself stretches the measuring line, extending it to specific points—Gareb and Goah—to confirm that every corner of the city, even those once defiled or exposed, will stand secure under His covenant faithfulness. |
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