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Jeremiah 31:19

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 31:19 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth.
Jeremiah 31:19 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 31

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
17And there is hope for thy latter end, saith Jehovah; and [thy] children shall come again to their own border.
18I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself [thus], Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a calf unaccustomed [to the yoke]: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art Jehovah my God.
19Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth.
20Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a darling child? for as often as I speak against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my heart yearneth for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith Jehovah.
21Set thee up waymarks, make thee guide-posts; set thy heart toward the highway, even the way by which thou wentest: turn again, O virgin of Israel, turn again to these thy cities.
22How long wilt thou go hither and thither, O thou backsliding daughter? for Jehovah hath created a new thing in the earth: a woman shall encompass a man.
← Jeremiah 31:18Jeremiah 31:20 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Surely after that I was turned I repented, etc.] Ephraim’s prayer was answered; as he prayed he might be turned, he was; and when he was turned, then he repented, not only of sin in general, but of such sins as he had been particularly guilty of; not only of the grosser actions of life, but of inward sins, secret lusts and corruptions; even of sins of holy things, having now different sentiments, affections, and conduct: and this is what is called evangelical repentance, and is from the grace of God; springs from love; flows from a sight of God and a view of Christ; is increased by the discoveries of God’s love, and is unto life and salvation; and this sort of repentance follows upon…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“after that I was turned, I repented--Repentance in the full sense follows, not precedes, our being turned to God by God (Zac 12:10). The Jews' "looking to Him whom they pierced" shall result in their "mourning for Him." Repentance is the tear that flows from the eye of faith turned to Jesus. He Himself gives it: we give it not of ourselves, but must come to Him for it (Act 5:31). instructed--made to learn by chastisement. God's Spirit often works through the corrections of His providence. smote upon . . . thigh-- (Eze 21:12). A token of indignant remorse, shame, and grief, because of his past sin. bear . . . reproach of . . . youth--"because the calamities which I bore were the just…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The religious character of the restoration of the ten tribes. Chastisement brought repentance, and with it forgiveness; therefore God decrees their restoration. Jeremiah 31:15 Ramah, mentioned because of its nearness to Jerusalem, from which it was distant about five miles. As the mother of three tribes, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh, Rachel is regarded as the mother of the whole ten. This passage is quoted by Matthew (marginal reference) as a type. In Jeremiah it is a poetical figure representing in a dramatic form the miserable condition of the kingdom of Ephraim devastated by the sword of the Assyrians. Jeremiah 31:16 Rachel’s work had been that of bearing and bringing up children, and…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Surely - After God had changed our hearts, we repented. I smote - After God had instructed us, by his prophets, by our afflictions, and by his Holy Spirit, we smote upon our thighs in testimony of our sorrow. The reproach - The just punishment of the sins which I had long ago committed. Jeremiah 31:20”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“31:19 When the exiles realized the stupidity of their sins, they were ashamed.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Surely after: Deu 30:2, Deu 30:6-8; Eze 36:26, Eze 36:31; Zac 12:10; Luk 15:17-19; Joh 6:44, Joh 6:45; Eph 2:3-5; Ti2 2:25; Tit 3:3-7 I smote: Eze 21:12; Luk 18:13; Co2 7:10, Co2 7:11 I was ashamed: Jer 3:25; Lev 26:41, Lev 26:42; Ezr 9:6; Eze 6:9, Eze 16:61-63, Eze 20:43, Eze 20:44, Eze 36:31; Rom 6:21 I did: Jer 3:25, Jer 22:21, Jer 32:30; Job 13:26, Job 20:11; Psa 25:7; Isa 54:4; Eze 23:3; Luk 15:30 Jeremiah 31:20”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification