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Jeremiah 31:8

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 31:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the uttermost parts of the earth, [and] with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall they return hither.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the uttermost parts of the earth, [and] with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall they return hither.
Jeremiah 31:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 31

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5Again shalt thou plant vineyards upon the mountains of Samaria; the planters shall plant, and shall enjoy [the fruit thereof].
6For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the hills of Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto Jehovah our God.
7For thus saith Jehovah, Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout for the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O Jehovah, save thy people, the remnant of Israel.
8Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the uttermost parts of the earth, [and] with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall they return hither.
9They shall come with weeping; and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by rivers of waters, in a straight way wherein they shall not stumble; for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my first-born.
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.
← Jeremiah 31:7Jeremiah 31:9 →
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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
“Behold, I will bring them from the north country, etc.] As from Babylon, at the end of the seventy years’ captivity, which lay north of Judea; so, in the latter day, from those northern countries, as ours, where they now are in great numbers: and gather them from the coasts of the earth; or “sides” of it; from all the parts of the world where they are: [and] with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together; signifying that no difficulties whatsoever should hinder them in their return to their own land; provision should be made for persons under these circumstances, so unfit to travel. All this may be understood, in a figurative sense, of…”
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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
“north--Assyria, Media, &c. (see on Jer 3:12; Jer 3:18; Jer 23:8). gather from . . . coasts of . . . earth-- (Eze 20:34, Eze 20:41; Eze 34:13). blind . . . lame, &c.--Not even the most infirm and unfit persons for a journey shall be left behind, so universal shall be the restoration. a great company--or, they shall return "in a great company" [MAURER].”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The coasts of the earth - See Jeremiah 6:22 note. Thither - Really, here. Not to the north country, but to Palestine, where Jeremiah wrote. A company is the word constantly used of Israel at the Exodus Exodus 16:3 as an organized community. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“31:8 The Lord promised to gather the surviving exiles from wherever they were scattered without overlooking the weak and helpless. • The great company of exiles who returned in 538–536 BC numbered 49,697 (Ezra 2:64).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I: Jer 3:12, Jer 23:8, Jer 29:14; Psa 107:3; Zac 2:6 the coasts: Psa 65:5, Psa 98:3; Isa 43:6, Isa 45:22, Isa 52:10; Eze 20:34, Eze 20:41, Eze 34:13 them the: Isa 40:11, Isa 42:16; Eze 34:16; Mic 4:6; Zep 3:19; Mat 12:20; Joh 21:15; Co1 8:10; Th1 5:14; Heb 4:15, Heb 12:12 Jeremiah 31:9”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification