Jeremiah 31:13

13 Then young women will rejoice and dance along with young men and old men. I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them. I will give them joy in place of their sorrow.

Jeremiah 31:13 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 31:13

Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men
and old together
Not any particular virgin, but all virgins, as Kimchi interprets it. The Targum is,

``then shall the congregation of Israel rejoice as in dances;''
it may very well be understood of the church of Christ, espoused to him as a chaste virgin, and of her spiritual joy in him, in allusion to the joy expressed by such persons in dancing, both upon civil and religious accounts; and it denotes that the joy should be very general and extensive, that persons of every age and sex should partake of it; see ( Zechariah 9:17 ) ; for I will turn their mourning into joy:
their mourning for sin, and for want of the divine presence, into joy, on account of the goodness of the Lord to them, and the large provisions made for them; though they come weeping to Zion, yet, when come thither, sing in the height of it, ( Jeremiah 31:9 Jeremiah 31:12 ) ; their fasts, as elsewhere, are turned into festivals; sometimes the joy of the saints is suddenly turned into grief, and again their sorrow turned into joy; see ( Psalms 30:5-7 Psalms 30:11 Psalms 30:12 ) ; and will comfort them;
with the discoveries of love, with the divine Presence, and views of pardoning grace: and make them rejoice from their sorrow;
cause their sorrow to break off through joy: or, "after their sorrow" F16; that being ended, joy shall succeed.
FOOTNOTES:

F16 (Mnwgym) "post moerorem suum", Cataker.

Jeremiah 31:13 In-Context

11 The LORD will free the descendants of Jacob and reclaim them from those who are stronger than they are.
12 They will come and shout for joy on top of Mount Zion. They will stream to it to enjoy the LORD's blessings: fresh grain, new wine, and olive oil, lambs and calves. Their lives will be like well-watered gardens, and they will never suffer again.
13 Then young women will rejoice and dance along with young men and old men. I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them. I will give them joy in place of their sorrow.
14 I will satisfy the priests with rich food. My people will be filled with my blessings," declares the LORD.
15 This is what the LORD says: A sound is heard in Ramah, the sound of crying in bitter grief. Rachel is crying for her children. She refuses to be comforted, because they are dead.
GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. Used by permission.