Jeremiah 31:20 Meaning and Explanation
“Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Despite judgment, God cannot forget His affection for Ephraim and will show mercy.
The Context of Jeremiah 31:20
God's conflicted love for the chastened people.
What Does Jeremiah 31:20 Mean?
The rhetorical questions affirm what Ephraim truly is: God's 'dear son' and 'pleasant child.' The Lord's judgment against Ephraim did not extinguish His love; rather, it magnified His internal struggle between justice and mercy. The heart of God is troubled by Ephraim's suffering.
'Since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him'—judgment does not sever relationship but intensifies it. God remembers Ephraim with yearning ('bowels are troubled'—a phrase of deepest compassion). The promise of mercy is not cold obligation but the overflow of a love that cannot ultimately be withheld.
Jeremiah 31:20 in the Original Language
me'ey (מעיי), 'bowels'—seat of compassion and maternal/paternal affection.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 31:20
What does Jeremiah 31:20 mean?
Despite judgment, God cannot forget His affection for Ephraim and will show mercy.
What is the context of Jeremiah 31:20?
God's conflicted love for the chastened people.