Jeremiah 31:37

37 Thus says the LORD, "1If the heavens above * can be measured And the foundations of the earth searched out below, Then I will also 2cast off all the offspring of Israel For all that they have done," declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 31:37 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 31:37

Thus saith the Lord, if heaven above can be measured
Either the space between the highest heavens and the earth; or the extent of the heavens, from one end of them to the other, which cannot be done by man; so the Targum,

``as it is impossible that man should know the measure of the heavens above;''
otherwise it is measured by the Lord, for he hath "meted out heaven with a span", ( Isaiah 40:12 ) ; and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath:
so as to be known what they are, or on what they are fastened, since the earth is hung upon nothing, ( Job 38:6 ) ( 26:7 ) ; I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have
done, saith the Lord;
as the former cannot be, so neither the latter; when there was a very great rejection of the Jews for their disbelief of the Messiah, they were not all cast off; the Apostle Paul was an instance to the contrary, and so were others: "the remnant according to the election of grace"; and there is a time coming when all Israel shall be saved, ( Romans 11:5 Romans 11:25 Romans 11:26 ) ; nor shall any of the spiritual Israel be cast off by him, or cast away from him, so as to perish; the Israel, whom God foreknew, is chosen, redeemed, and whom he calls by his grace; no, not for all the sins and transgressions they have been guilty of, however they may deserve it. The reasons are, because of his unchangeable love to them; his unalterable covenant with them; the satisfaction his son has made for them; and the free and full pardon of their sins, which he has granted to them.

Jeremiah 31:37 In-Context

35 Thus says the LORD , Who gives the sun for light by day And the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar; The LORD of hosts is His name:
36 "If this fixed order departs From before Me," declares the LORD , "Then the offspring of Israel also will cease From being a nation before Me forever ."
37 Thus says the LORD , "If the heavens above can be measured And the foundations of the earth searched out below, Then I will also cast off all the offspring of Israel For all that they have done," declares the LORD .
38 "Behold, days are coming," declares the LORD , "when the city will be rebuilt for the LORD from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate.
39 "The measuring line will go out farther straight ahead to the hill Gareb; then it will turn to Goah.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Isaiah 40:12; Jeremiah 33:22
  • 2. Jeremiah 33:24-26; Rom 11:2-5, 26, 27
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