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Jeremiah 31:39

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 31:39 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the measuring line shall go out further straight onward unto the hill Gareb, and shall turn about unto Goah.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the measuring line shall go out further straight onward unto the hill Gareb, and shall turn about unto Goah.
Jeremiah 31:39 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 31

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
36If these ordinances depart from before me, saith Jehovah, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.
37Thus saith Jehovah: If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, then will I also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith Jehovah.
38Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that the city shall be built to Jehovah from the tower of Hananel unto the gate of the corner.
39And the measuring line shall go out further straight onward unto the hill Gareb, and shall turn about unto Goah.
40And the whole valley of the dead bodies and of the ashes, and all the fields unto the brook Kidron, unto the corner of the horse gate toward the east, shall be holy unto Jehovah; it shall not be plucked up, nor thrown down any more for ever.
← Jeremiah 31:38Jeremiah 31:40 →
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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
“And the measuring line shall yet go forth over against it, etc.] Or, “before it”f618; the gate proceeding right on from it; of the length of the measuring line, or reed; (see <264005>Ezekiel 40:5); though some render it, “before him”f619; before the Lord, under whose direction and powerful providence the work went on; so the city gates and walls of the New Jerusalem are said to be measured with a reed, (<662115>Revelation 21:15); upon the hill Gareb; which signifies a “scab”, so called, as is supposed, from scabby and leprous persons sent here to dwell, which was a “lazaretto” for them. Lightfoot, following Lyra, takes it to be the same with Mount Calvary: it was on the north side of the…”
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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
“measuring-line-- (Eze 40:8; Zac 2:1). Gareb--from a Hebrew root, "to scrape"; Syriac, "leprosy"; the locality outside of the city, to which lepers were removed. Goath--from a root, "to toil," referring to the toilsome ascent there: outside of the city of David, towards the southwest, as Gareb was northwest [JUNIUS].”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Over ... Gareb - Or, straight along the hill Gareb. Probably the hill of lepers, outside the old walls, toward the southwest. Goath - Goah. Unknown. return to 'Top of Page'”
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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
“The line - That is, it shall be built round about upon its old foundations. Jeremiah 31:40”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“31:39 Gareb and Goah do not appear elsewhere in Scripture, but they were probably on the west side of the city.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Eze 40:8; Zac 2:1, Zac 2:2 Jeremiah 31:40”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification