BibleWord.ai› Bible› Jeremiah› Chapter 31› Verse 13

Jeremiah 31:13

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 31:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old together; for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old together; for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.
Jeremiah 31:13 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 31

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10Hear the word of Jehovah, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off; and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as shepherd doth his flock.
11For Jehovah hath ransomed Jacob, and redeemed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he.
12And they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow unto the goodness of Jehovah, to the grain, and to the new wine, and to the oil, and to the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.
13Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old together; for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.
14And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith Jehovah.
15Thus saith Jehovah: A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children; she refuseth to be comforted for her children, because they are not.
16Thus saith Jehovah: Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears; for thy work shall be rewarded, saith Jehovah; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy.
← Jeremiah 31:12Jeremiah 31:14 →
← Full Chapter 31 Jeremiah Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together, etc.] Not any particular virgin, but all virgins, as Kimchi interprets it. The Targum is, “then shall the congregation of Israel rejoice as in dances;” it may very well be understood of the church of Christ, espoused to him as a chaste virgin, and of her spiritual joy in him, in allusion to the joy expressed by such persons in dancing, both upon civil and religious accounts; and it denotes that the joy should be very general and extensive, that persons of every age and sex should partake of it; (see <380917>Zechariah 9:17); for I will turn their mourning into joy: their mourning for sin, and for want of the divine…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“young . . . old-- (Zac 8:4-5).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Both gives the idea of the men dancing, which is incorrect. Except at a religious solemnity 2 Samuel 6:14, dancing was confined to women. Render and young men and old rejoice together. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“31:13 The Lord would replace mourning, a daily experience in exile, with his comfort and a continual outpouring of rejoicing (see Isa 40:1-3; 61:3).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“shall: Jer 31:4; Neh 12:27, Neh 12:43; Psa 30:11, Psa 149:3; Zac 8:4, Zac 8:5, Zac 8:19 for: Ezr 6:22; Est 9:22; Isa 35:10, Isa 51:3, Isa 51:11, Isa 60:20, Isa 61:3, Isa 65:18, Isa 65:19; Joh 16:22 Jeremiah 31:14”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Jeremiah 31 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification