Jeremiah 31:32 Meaning and Explanation
“Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The new covenant will differ from the old covenant broken at Sinai.
The Context of Jeremiah 31:32
Contrast with the Sinai covenant and acknowledgment of Israel's breaking it.
What Does Jeremiah 31:32 Mean?
The original covenant at Sinai is remembered as a covenant of law and obligation, given after the exodus when God 'took them by the hand.' Though Israel broke it, God maintained the relationship—'I was an husband unto them'—suggesting constant care despite breach. The foundation of relationship is unshaken.
The contrast with what follows is implicit: if the old covenant was written on stone and kept by external law, what is new? The emphasis on Israel's breaking and God's patient husbanding suggests that the new covenant will address the interior change that makes breaking impossible. The basis shifts from external obligation to internal transformation.
Jeremiah 31:32 in the Original Language
haya (הָיָה), 'was'—expressing God's persistent commitment despite covenant breach.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 31:32
What does Jeremiah 31:32 mean?
The new covenant will differ from the old covenant broken at Sinai.
What is the context of Jeremiah 31:32?
Contrast with the Sinai covenant and acknowledgment of Israel's breaking it.