Lectionary Calendar
Thursday, July 17th, 2025
the Week of Proper 10 / Ordinary 15
Attention!
StudyLight.org has pledged to help build churches in Uganda. Help us with that pledge and support pastors in the heart of Africa.
Click here to join the effort!

Read the Bible

Good News Translation

Jeremiah 31:2

In the desert I showed mercy to those people who had escaped death. When the people of Israel longed for rest,

Bible Study Resources

Dictionaries:

- Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Joy;   Remnant;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Expiation, Propitiation;   Grace;   Jeremiah;   Mercy, Merciful;   Wilderness;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Death;   Greek Versions of Ot;   Jeremiah;   Madmen;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Admonition;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for March 8;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
This is what the Lord says:
Hebrew Names Version
Thus says the LORD, The people who were left of the sword found favor in the wilderness; even Yisra'el, when I went to cause him to rest.
King James Version
Thus saith the Lord , The people which were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest.
English Standard Version
Thus says the Lord : "The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest,
New American Standard Bible
This is what the LORD says: "The people who survived the sword Found grace in the wilderness— Israel, when it went to find its rest."
New Century Version
This is what the Lord says: "The people who were not killed by the enemy's sword found help in the desert. I came to give rest to Israel."
Amplified Bible
Thus says the LORD, "The people who survived the sword Found grace in the wilderness [of exile]— Israel (the Northern Kingdom), when it went to find its rest."
World English Bible
Thus says Yahweh, The people who were left of the sword found favor in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Thus saith the Lord, The people which escaped the sworde, founde grace in the wildernes: he walked before Israel to cause him to rest.
Legacy Standard Bible
Thus says Yahweh,"The people who survived the swordFound grace in the wilderness—Israel, when it went to find its relief."
Berean Standard Bible
This is what the LORD says: "The people who survived the sword found favor in the wilderness when Israel went to find rest."
Contemporary English Version
In the desert I was kind to those who escaped death. I gave them peace, and when the time is right, I'll do the same for you. I, the Lord , have spoken.
Complete Jewish Bible
From a distance Adonai appeared to me, [saying,] "I love you with an everlasting love; this is why in my grace I draw you to me.
Darby Translation
Thus saith Jehovah: The people [that were] left of the sword have found grace in the wilderness, [even] Israel, when I go to give him rest.
Easy-to-Read Version
This is what the Lord says: "The people who escaped the enemy's sword will find comfort in the desert. Israel will go there looking for rest."
George Lamsa Translation
Thus says the LORD: The people who escaped from the sword found compassion in the wilderness when Israel went into exile.
Lexham English Bible
Thus says Yahweh: "The people of the survivors of the sword found grace in the desert; Israel going to find their rest."
Literal Translation
So says Jehovah, Israel, the people, the survivors of the sword, have found grace in the wilderness, I will go to give rest to him.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Thus saieth the LORDE: The people of Israel which escaped in ye wildernes from the swearde, founde grace to come in to their rest.
American Standard Version
Thus saith Jehovah, The people that were left of the sword found favor in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest.
Bible in Basic English
The Lord has said, Grace came in the waste land to a people kept safe from the sword, even to Israel on the way to his resting-place.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
'From afar the LORD appeared unto me.' 'Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with affection have I drawn thee.
King James Version (1611)
Thus saith the Lord; The people which were left of the sword found grace in the wildernesse, euen Israel, when I went to cause him to rest.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Thus saith the Lord: The people of Israel which escaped in the wildernesse from the sworde, founde grace to come into their rest.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
There is no longer any healing for Moab, nor glorying in Esebon: he has devised evils against her: we have cut her off from being a nation, and she shall be completely still: after thee shall go a sword;
English Revised Version
Thus saith the LORD, The people which were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
The Lord seith these thingis, The puple that was left of swerd, foond grace in desert; Israel schal go to his reste.
Update Bible Version
Thus says Yahweh, The people that were left of the sword found favor in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest.
Webster's Bible Translation
Thus saith the LORD, The people [who were] left by the sword found grace in the wilderness; [even] Israel, when I went to cause him to rest.
New English Translation
The Lord says, "The people of Israel who survived death at the hands of the enemy will find favor in the wilderness as they journey to find rest for themselves.
New King James Version
Thus says the LORD: "The people who survived the sword Found grace in the wilderness-- Israel, when I went to give him rest."
New Living Translation
This is what the Lord says: "Those who survive the coming destruction will find blessings even in the barren land, for I will give rest to the people of Israel."
New Life Bible
The Lord says, "The people who were not killed by the sword found loving-favor in the desert, when Israel looked for rest."
New Revised Standard
Thus says the Lord : The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest,
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Thus, saith Yahweh, - There hath found favour in the desert people escaped from the sword, - I must go to cause him, even Israel, to rest.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thus saith the Lord: The people that were left and escaped from the sword, found grace in the desert: Israel shall go to his rest.
Revised Standard Version
Thus says the LORD: "The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest,
Young's Literal Translation
Thus said Jehovah: Found grace in the wilderness Hath a people remaining from the sword Going to cause it to rest -- Israel.
THE MESSAGE
This is the way God put it: "They found grace out in the desert, these people who survived the killing. Israel, out looking for a place to rest, met God out looking for them!" God told them, "I've never quit loving you and never will. Expect love, love, and more love! And so now I'll start over with you and build you up again, dear virgin Israel. You'll resume your singing, grabbing tambourines and joining the dance. You'll go back to your old work of planting vineyards on the Samaritan hillsides, And sit back and enjoy the fruit— oh, how you'll enjoy those harvests! The time's coming when watchmen will call out from the hilltops of Ephraim: ‘On your feet! Let's go to Zion, go to meet our God !'"
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Thus says the LORD, "The people who survived the sword Found grace in the wilderness— Israel, when it went to find its rest."

Contextual Overview

1 The Lord says, "The time is coming when I will be the God of all the tribes of Israel, and they will be my people. 2 In the desert I showed mercy to those people who had escaped death. When the people of Israel longed for rest, 3 I appeared to them from far away. People of Israel, I have always loved you, so I continue to show you my constant love. 4 Once again I will rebuild you. Once again you will take up your tambourines and dance joyfully. 5 Once again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria, and those who plant them will eat what the vineyards produce. 6 Yes, the time is coming when sentries will call out on the hills of Ephraim, ‘Let's go up to Zion, to the Lord our God.'" 7 The Lord says, "Sing with joy for Israel, the greatest of the nations. Sing your song of praise, ‘The Lord has saved his people; he has rescued all who are left.' 8 I will bring them from the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. The blind and the lame will come with them, pregnant women and those about to give birth. They will come back a great nation. 9 My people will return weeping, praying as I lead them back. I will guide them to streams of water, on a smooth road where they will not stumble. I am like a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my oldest son."

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

The people: Exodus 1:16, Exodus 1:22, Exodus 2:23, Exodus 5:21, Exodus 12:37, Exodus 14:8-12, Exodus 15:9, Exodus 15:10, Exodus 17:8-13

found: Jeremiah 2:2, Deuteronomy 1:30, Deuteronomy 1:33, Deuteronomy 2:7, Deuteronomy 8:2, Deuteronomy 8:3, Deuteronomy 8:16, Nehemiah 9:12-15, Psalms 78:14-16, Psalms 78:23-29, Psalms 78:52, Psalms 105:37-43, Psalms 136:16-24, Isaiah 63:7-14, Ezekiel 20:14-17

when: Numbers 10:33, Deuteronomy 12:9, Psalms 95:11, Isaiah 63:14, Matthew 11:28, Hebrews 4:8, Hebrews 4:9

Reciprocal: Genesis 6:8 - General Genesis 33:10 - if now Numbers 32:5 - if we have Song of Solomon 3:6 - this Hosea 9:10 - found

Cross-References

Genesis 4:5
but he rejected Cain and his offering. Cain became furious, and he scowled in anger.
Genesis 30:27
Laban said to him, "Let me say this: I have learned by divination that the Lord has blessed me because of you.
Genesis 31:9
God has taken flocks away from your father and given them to me.
Genesis 31:11
The angel of God spoke to me in the dream and said, ‘Jacob!' ‘Yes,' I answered.
Exodus 4:10
But Moses said, "No, Lord , don't send me. I have never been a good speaker, and I haven't become one since you began to speak to me. I am a poor speaker, slow and hesitant."
Deuteronomy 19:4
If you accidentally kill someone who is not your enemy, you may escape to any of these cities and be safe.
Deuteronomy 28:54
Even the most refined man of noble birth will become so desperate during the siege that he will eat some of his own children because he has no other food. He will not even give any to his brother or to the wife he loves or to any of his children who are left.
1 Samuel 19:7
So Jonathan called David and told him everything; then he took him to Saul, and David served the king as he had before.
Daniel 3:19
Then Nebuchadnezzar lost his temper, and his face turned red with anger at Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. So he ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than usual.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Thus saith the Lord, the people [which were] left of the sword,.... Which were not consumed by the sword of Pharaoh, who perished not through his cruel edicts, and by his sword, when drawn at the Red sea; nor by the sword of the Amalekites and Amorites; or of their own brethren, who sometimes, for their sins, were ordered to slay many, as on account of the molten calf, and joining to Baalpeor: but there was a remnant that escaped, who

found grace in the wilderness; in the sight of God, who went before them, protected and defended them from their enemies; gave them his holy law, his statutes, and his judgments; fed them with manna and quails; clave the rocks, and gave them water to drink; and supplied them with everything necessary for them, Psalms 78:5;

[even] Israel, when I went to cause him to rest; went before him in a pillar of cloud by day, and in a pillar of fire by night; and in the ark, the symbol of his presence; and not only to search out a resting place for them for a few days, but to bring them to Canaan, the land of rest, which he had promised them, Exodus 13:21; now this past instance of divine goodness is mentioned, to encourage faith in the fulfilment of the above promise. The whole is paraphrased by the Targum thus,

"these things saith the Lord, who gave mercies to the people that came out of Egypt; he supplied their necessities in the wilderness, when they fled from before those who slay with the sword; he led them by his word, to cause Israel to dwell in a place of rest.''

Some render the words in the future, "shall find grace", c. "shall go to his rest", c. and so apply it to the Jews that escaped the sword of the Chaldeans, and found favour in the wilderness of the people into which they were brought, and as they returned into their own land from the captivity. And it, nay be also applied to the Jews that were left of the sword of the Romans in their last destruction, who have found much favour among the nations as they do in ours, and others, now and who in time will return to their own land, and be in rest, Jeremiah 30:10. Yea, it is applicable enough to the church and people of God in their present state; who are left of the sword of the Papists, and are now in the wilderness, where they are nourished for a time, and times, and half a time; and before long will be brought into a state of settled rest and tranquillity.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The people which were left of the sword - A promise of the restoration of the ten tribes to their land.

The wilderness - Either the desert which lay between Assyria and Palestine; or more probably an allusion to the wilderness of Mount Sinai.

Found grace ... rest - Rather, “shall certainly find grace; I will go to give Israel rest.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Jeremiah 31:2. The people which were left of the sword — Those of the ten tribes that had escaped death by the sword of the Assyrians.

Found grace in the wilderness — The place of their exile; a wilderness, compared to their own land.-Dahler. See Isaiah 40:3.


 
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile