Yeremia 31:1

31:1 At that time I will be the God of all the clans of Israel ¹ 

and they will be my people.

I, the Lord, affirm it!” ² 

Yeremia 24:7

24:7 I will give them the desire to acknowledge that I ³  am the Lord. I will be their God and they will be my people. For they will wholeheartedly ⁴  return to me.’

Yeremia 30:22

30:22 Then you will again be my people

and I will be your God. ⁵ 

Yeremia 32:38

32:38 They will be my people, and I will be their God. ⁶ 

[31:1]  ¹ sn This verse repeats v. 22 but with specific reference to all the clans of Israel, i.e., to all Israel and Judah. It functions here as a transition to the next section which will deal with the restoration of Israel (31:3-20) and Judah (31:21-25) and their reunification in the land (31:27-29) under a new covenant relation with God (31:31-37). See also the study note on 30:3 for further reference to this reunification in Jeremiah and the other prophets.

[31:1]  ² tn Heb “Oracle of the Lord.”

[24:7]  ³ tn Heb “I will give them a heart to know me that I am the Lord.” For the use of “heart” here referring to “inclinations, resolutions, and determinations of the will” see BDB 525 s.v. לֵב 4 and compare the usage in 2 Chr 12:14. For the use of “know” to mean “acknowledge” see BDB 384 s.v. יָדַע Qal.1.f and compare the usage in Jer 39:4. For the construction “know ‘someone’ that he…” = “know that ‘someone’…” see GKC 365 §117.h and compare the usage in 2 Sam 3:25.

[24:7]  ⁴ tn Heb “with all their heart.”

[30:22]  ⁵ sn This was their highest privilege (cf. Exod 6:7, Lev 26:12; Jer 24:7) but also their greatest responsibility (cf. Jer 7:3; 11:4). It is a formula referring to a covenant relationship in which God pledges to protect, provide, and be present with his people and they in turn promise to be loyal and obedient to him (see Deut 26:17-18; 29:10-13).

[32:38]  ⁶ sn The covenant formula setting forth the basic relationship is reinstituted along with a new covenant (v. 40). See also 24:7; 30:22; 31:1 and the study note on 30:22.