Jeremiah 31:37

37 Thus says the LORD: If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the eretz searched out beneath, then will I also cast off all the seed of Yisra'el for all that they have done, says 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 a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, who stirs up the sea, so that the waves of it roar; the LORD of hosts is his name:
36 If these ordinances depart from before me, says the LORD, then the seed of Yisra'el also shall cease from being a nation before me forever.
37 Thus says the LORD: If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the eretz searched out beneath, then will I also cast off all the seed of Yisra'el for all that they have done, says the LORD.
38 Behold, the days come, says the LORD, that the city shall be built to the LORD from the tower of Hanan'el to the gate of the corner.
39 The measuring line shall go out further straight onward to the hill Garev, and shall turn about to Go`ah.
The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.