Jeremiah 31:22 Meaning and Explanation
“How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the LORD hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God will create a new thing: the vulnerable will be protected and restored.
The Context of Jeremiah 31:22
Promise of God's new creative work reversing old patterns.
What Does Jeremiah 31:22 Mean?
The question expresses divine frustration with Israel's ongoing waywardness, yet 'how long' implies a limit—backsliding will not be permanent. The 'new thing' is God's work, not human achievement. This mystery—'a woman shall compass a man'—inverts natural power: the vulnerable, the seemingly weak, will enfold and protect the strong.
The image may suggest reversal of conquest (woman protecting, binding man), protection of the vulnerable, or transformation of social order. Whatever the precise meaning, it emphasizes that restoration will involve a radical reordering—God's new creation transcends current categories of strength and weakness, judgment and mercy.
Jeremiah 31:22 in the Original Language
bara (בָּרָא), 'created'—to bring forth something new and unprecedented.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 31:22
What does Jeremiah 31:22 mean?
God will create a new thing: the vulnerable will be protected and restored.
What is the context of Jeremiah 31:22?
Promise of God's new creative work reversing old patterns.