Jeremiah 30

Jacob's Trouble and the Promise of Restoration

The chapter moves from the command to write restoration words, to the promise of return for Israel and Judah, to the terror of Jacob's trouble, to deliverance from foreign yoke, to healing of the incurable wound, and finally to covenant restoration under a ruler who draws near to the LORD.

World English Bible, Public Domain

Jeremiah 30:1-3

God preserves His promises of restoration through written revelation so that His people will know that judgment will not have the final word.

1 The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, saying,

2 “Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, ‘Write all the words that I have spoken to you in a book.

3 For, behold, the days come,’ says Yahweh, ‘that I will reverse the captivity of my people Israel and Judah,’ says Yahweh. ‘I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they will possess it.’ ”

Jeremiah 30:4-7

God warns of severe judgment and national distress, but His covenant purposes ensure that His people will not be ultimately destroyed.

4 These are the words that Yahweh spoke concerning Israel and concerning Judah.

5 For Yahweh says: “We have heard a voice of trembling; a voice of fear, and not of peace.

6 Ask now, and see whether a man travails with child. Why do I see every man with his hands on his waist, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned pale?

7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it. It is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he will be saved out of it.

Jeremiah 30:8-11

God disciplines His people but ultimately liberates them so that they may live under His rightful rule.

8 It will come to pass in that day, says Yahweh of Armies, that I will break his yoke from off your neck, and will burst your bonds. Strangers will no more make them their bondservants;

9 but they will serve Yahweh their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up to them.

10 Therefore don’t be afraid, O Jacob my servant, says Yahweh. Don’t be dismayed, Israel. For, behold, I will save you from afar, and save your offspring from the land of their captivity. Jacob will return, and will be quiet and at ease. No one will make him afraid.

11 For I am with you, says Yahweh, to save you; for I will make a full end of all the nations where I have scattered you, but I will not make a full end of you; but I will correct you in measure, and will in no way leave you unpunished.”

Jeremiah 30:12-17

God’s discipline exposes the seriousness of sin, yet His covenant mercy ultimately brings healing and restoration.

12 For Yahweh says, “Your hurt is incurable. Your wound is grievous.

13 There is no one to plead your cause, that you may be bound up. You have no healing medicines.

14 All your lovers have forgotten you. They don’t seek you. For I have wounded you with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one, for the greatness of your iniquity, because your sins were increased.

15 Why do you cry over your injury? Your pain is incurable. For the greatness of your iniquity, because your sins have increased, I have done these things to you.

16 Therefore all those who devour you will be devoured. All your adversaries, everyone of them, will go into captivity. Those who plunder you will be plunder. I will make all who prey on you become prey.

17 For I will restore health to you, and I will heal you of your wounds,” says Yahweh; “because they have called you an outcast, saying, ‘It is Zion, whom no man seeks after.’ ”

Jeremiah 30:18-22

God’s restoration includes physical renewal, communal flourishing, righteous leadership, and renewed covenant relationship with His people.

18 Yahweh says: “Behold, I will reverse the captivity of Jacob’s tents, and have compassion on his dwelling places. The city will be built on its own hill, and the palace will be inhabited in its own place.

19 Thanksgiving will proceed out of them with the voice of those who make merry. I will multiply them, and they will not be few; I will also glorify them, and they will not be small.

20 Their children also will be as before, and their congregation will be established before me. I will punish all who oppress them.

21 Their prince will be one of them, and their ruler will proceed from among them. I will cause him to draw near, and he will approach me; for who is he who has had boldness to approach me?” says Yahweh.

22 “You shall be my people, and I will be your God.

Jeremiah 30:23-24

God’s judgment is unstoppable and purposeful, ensuring that His redemptive plans are ultimately fulfilled.

23 Behold, Yahweh’s storm, his wrath, has gone out, a sweeping storm: it will burst on the head of the wicked.

24 The fierce anger of Yahweh will not return until he has accomplished, and until he has performed the intentions of his heart. In the latter days you will understand it.”

Key Terms

כָּתַב katav H3789
סֵפֶר sefer H5612
שׁוּב שְׁבוּת shuv shevut H7725
צָרָה tsarah H6869
יָשַׁע yasha H3467
עֹל ol H5923
מוֹסֵרוֹת moserot H4147
עָבַד avad H5647
דָּוִד David H1732
קוּם qum H6965
יָסַר yasar H3256

World English Bible (WEB): Public Domain Scripture text · License details