Jeremiah 31:28
New International Version
Just as I watched over them to uproot and tear down, and to overthrow, destroy and bring disaster, so I will watch over them to build and to plant,” declares the LORD.

New Living Translation
In the past I deliberately uprooted and tore down this nation. I overthrew it, destroyed it, and brought disaster upon it. But in the future I will just as deliberately plant it and build it up. I, the LORD, have spoken!

English Standard Version
And it shall come to pass that as I have watched over them to pluck up and break down, to overthrow, destroy, and bring harm, so I will watch over them to build and to plant, declares the LORD.

Berean Standard Bible
Just as I watched over them to uproot and tear down, to demolish, destroy, and bring disaster, so I will watch over them to build and to plant,” declares the LORD.

King James Bible
And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the LORD.

New King James Version
And it shall come to pass, that as I have watched over them to pluck up, to break down, to throw down, to destroy, and to afflict, so I will watch over them to build and to plant, says the LORD.

New American Standard Bible
And just as I have watched over them to uproot them, tear them down, ruin, destroy, and bring disaster on them, so I will watch over them to build and to plant them,” declares the LORD.

NASB 1995
“As I have watched over them to pluck up, to break down, to overthrow, to destroy and to bring disaster, so I will watch over them to build and to plant,” declares the LORD.

NASB 1977
“And it will come about that as I have watched over them to pluck up, to break down, to overthrow, to destroy, and to bring disaster, so I will watch over them to build and to plant,” declares the LORD.

Legacy Standard Bible
And it will be that as I have watched over them to uproot, to tear down, to pull down, to destroy, and to bring calamity, so I will watch over them to build and to plant,” declares Yahweh.

Amplified Bible
It will be that as I have watched over them to uproot and to break down, to overthrow, destroy, and afflict with disaster, so I will watch over them to build and to plant [with good],” says the LORD.

Christian Standard Bible
Just as I watched over them to uproot and to tear them down, to demolish and to destroy, and to cause disaster, so will I watch over them to build and to plant them” —this is the LORD’s declaration.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Just as I watched over them to uproot and to tear them down, to demolish and to destroy, and to cause disaster, so will I be attentive to build and to plant them,” says the LORD.

American Standard Version
And it shall come to pass that, like as I have watched over them to pluck up and to break down and to overthrow and to destroy and to afflict, so will I watch over them to build and to plant, saith Jehovah.

Contemporary English Version
In the past, I took care to uproot them, to tear them down, and to destroy them. But when that day comes, I will take care to plant them and help them grow.

English Revised Version
And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them to pluck up and to break down, and to overthrow and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them to build and to plant, saith the LORD.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Once I watched over them to uproot them, to tear them down, and to wreck, ruin, and hurt them. Now I will watch over them to build them up and to plant them," declares the LORD.

Good News Translation
And just as I took care to uproot, to pull down, to overthrow, to destroy, and to demolish them, so I will take care to plant them and to build them up.

International Standard Version
Just as I've watched over them to pull up, tear down, overthrow, destroy, and bring disaster, so I'll watch over them to build and to plant," declares the LORD.

Majority Standard Bible
Just as I watched over them to uproot and tear down, to demolish, destroy, and bring disaster, so I will watch over them to build and to plant,” declares the LORD.

NET Bible
In the past I saw to it that they were uprooted and torn down, that they were destroyed and demolished. But now I will see to it that they are built up and firmly planted. I, the LORD, affirm it!"

New Heart English Bible
It shall happen that, like as I have watched over them to pluck up and to break down and to overthrow and to destroy and to afflict, so will I watch over them to build and to plant," says the LORD.

Webster's Bible Translation
And it shall come to pass, that as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them, to build and to plant, saith the LORD.

World English Bible
It will happen that, like as I have watched over them to pluck up and to break down and to overthrow and to destroy and to afflict, so I will watch over them to build and to plant,” says Yahweh.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it has been, as I watched over them to pluck up, "" And to break down, and to throw down, "" And to destroy, and to afflict; So I watch over them to build, and to plant,” "" A declaration of YHWH.

Young's Literal Translation
And it hath been, as I watched over them to pluck up, And to break down, and to throw down, And to destroy, and to afflict; So do I watch over them to build, and to plant, An affirmation of Jehovah.

Smith's Literal Translation
And it was as I watched over them to pluck up and to break down, and to destroy and to cut off, and to break in pieces; so will I watch over them to build and to plant, says Jehovah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to throw down, and to scatter, and destroy, and afflict: so will I watch over them, to build up, and to plant them, saith the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And just as I have watched over them, so that I may root up, and tear down, and scatter, and destroy, and afflict, so will I watch over them, so that I may build and plant them, says the Lord.

New American Bible
As I once watched over them to uproot and tear down, to demolish, to destroy, and to harm, so I will watch over them to build and to plant—oracle of the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
And just as I have watched over them to pluck up and break down, to overthrow, destroy, and bring evil, so I will watch over them to build and to plant, says the LORD.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And it shall come to pass that as I purposed against them, to uproot them and to break them down and to overthrow them and to destroy and to afflict; so will I be mindful of them, to build and to plant, says the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And like when I purposed upon them to uproot them and to pull down and to overthrow and to destroy and to do evil, so I shall remember concerning them to build and to plant, says LORD JEHOVAH
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them to pluck up and to break down, and to overthrow and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them to build and to plant, saith the LORD.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it shall come to pass, that as I watched over them, to pull down, and to afflict, so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the Lord.
Audio Bible



Context
Mourning Turned to Joy
27“The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man and of beast. 28 Just as I watched over them to uproot and tear down, to demolish, destroy, and bring disaster, so I will watch over them to build and to plant,” declares the LORD. 29“In those days, it will no longer be said: ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the teeth of the children are set on edge.’…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 28:63
Just as it pleased the LORD to make you prosper and multiply, so also it will please Him to annihilate you and destroy you. And you will be uprooted from the land you are entering to possess.

Ezekiel 36:9
For behold, I am on your side; I will turn toward you, and you will be tilled and sown.

Isaiah 5:5-6
Now I will tell you what I am about to do to My vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it will be consumed; I will tear down its wall, and it will be trampled. / I will make it a wasteland, neither pruned nor cultivated, and thorns and briers will grow up. I will command the clouds that rain shall not fall on it.”

Amos 9:15
I will firmly plant them in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land that I have given them,” says the LORD your God.

Zechariah 8:13
As you have been a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you, and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid; let your hands be strong.”

Jeremiah 1:10
See, I have appointed you today over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and plant.”

Jeremiah 18:7-10
At any time I might announce that a nation or kingdom will be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed. / But if that nation I warned turns from its evil, then I will relent of the disaster I had planned to bring. / And if at another time I announce that I will build up and establish a nation or kingdom, ...

Hosea 2:23
And I will sow her as My own in the land, and I will have compassion on ‘No Compassion.’ I will say to those called ‘Not My People,’ ‘You are My people,’ and they will say, ‘You are my God.’”

Isaiah 27:2-6
In that day: “Sing about a fruitful vineyard. / I, the LORD, am its keeper; I water it continually. I guard it night and day so no one can disturb it; / I am not angry. If only thorns and briers confronted Me, I would march and trample them, I would burn them to the ground. ...

Ezekiel 11:19-20
And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them; I will remove their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh, / so that they may follow My statutes, keep My ordinances, and practice them. Then they will be My people, and I will be their God.

Romans 11:23-24
And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. / For if you were cut from a wild olive tree, and contrary to nature were grafted into one that is cultivated, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!

Matthew 13:30
Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat into my barn.’”

John 15:1-2
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard. / He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful.

Romans 9:22-23
What if God, intending to show His wrath and make His power known, bore with great patience the vessels of His wrath, prepared for destruction? / What if He did this to make the riches of His glory known to the vessels of His mercy, whom He prepared in advance for glory—

1 Corinthians 3:6-9
I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. / So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. / He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, said the LORD.

that like.

Jeremiah 44:27
Behold, I will watch over them for evil, and not for good: and all the men of Judah that are in the land of Egypt shall be consumed by the sword and by the famine, until there be an end of them.

Daniel 9:14
Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice.

to pluck.

Jeremiah 1:10
See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.

Jeremiah 18:7-9
At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; …

Jeremiah 45:4
Thus shalt thou say unto him, The LORD saith thus; Behold, that which I have built will I break down, and that which I have planted I will pluck up, even this whole land.

so.

Jeremiah 24:6
For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up.

Jeremiah 32:41
Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul.

Psalm 69:35
For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession.

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Jeremiah 31
1. The restoration of Israel.
10. The publication thereof.
15. Rahel mourning is comforted.
18. Ephraim repenting is brought home again.
22. Christ is promised.
27. His care over the church.
31. His new covenant.
35. The stability,
38. and amplitude of the church.














Just as I watched over them
The phrase "watched over" in Hebrew is "שָׁקַד" (shaqad), which conveys a sense of vigilance and attentiveness. Historically, this reflects God's active role in the lives of the Israelites, both in judgment and in blessing. The imagery here is of a watchful guardian, emphasizing God's sovereignty and His intimate involvement in the unfolding of His divine plan. This vigilance is not passive but is a deliberate and purposeful oversight, ensuring that His will is accomplished.

to uproot and tear down
The words "uproot" and "tear down" are translated from the Hebrew "נָתַשׁ" (natash) and "נָתַץ" (natats), respectively. These terms are often used in the context of judgment and destruction. Archaeologically, this reflects the historical periods of conquest and exile that Israel experienced, such as the Babylonian captivity. Spiritually, it signifies God's authority to remove what is unfruitful or rebellious, akin to a gardener removing weeds to allow for healthy growth.

to demolish and destroy
"Demolish" and "destroy" come from the Hebrew "הָרַס" (haras) and "אָבַד" (abad). These words further emphasize the completeness of God's judgment against sin and disobedience. Historically, this can be seen in the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, which served as a tangible reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. Yet, this destruction is not without purpose; it is a precursor to renewal and restoration.

and to bring disaster
The phrase "bring disaster" is derived from the Hebrew "רָעָה" (ra'ah), meaning calamity or evil. This reflects the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, where disobedience leads to curses as outlined in Deuteronomy. However, this disaster is not arbitrary; it serves as a corrective measure intended to bring the people back to repentance and reliance on God.

so I will watch over them
Here, the repetition of "watch over" (שָׁקַד, shaqad) signifies a shift from judgment to restoration. It underscores God's unwavering commitment to His people, promising that just as He was diligent in judgment, He will be equally diligent in their restoration. This is a profound assurance of God's faithfulness and His desire to see His people flourish.

to build and to plant
The words "build" and "plant" are translated from the Hebrew "בָּנָה" (banah) and "נָטַע" (nata). These terms are rich with imagery of construction and agriculture, symbolizing growth, stability, and prosperity. Scripturally, this points to the promises of restoration and renewal found throughout the prophetic books, where God promises to restore Israel to a place of blessing and abundance. It is a message of hope, indicating that God's ultimate plan is one of redemption and life.

declares the LORD
This phrase, "declares the LORD," is a common prophetic formula in Hebrew, "נְאֻם יְהוָה" (ne'um YHWH), which serves to affirm the authority and certainty of the message. It is a divine seal, assuring the listener that these words are not merely human speculation but are the assured promises of the Almighty. This declaration invites trust and faith in God's unchanging character and His sovereign will.

(28) Like as I have watched over them . . .--Some twenty-three years had passed since the prophet's call to his office, but the words that called him to it are living still. The very symbolism of the "almond," with the play upon its meaning, as the "wakeful" or "watching" tree (see Notes on Jeremiah 1:10-11), the very terms in which his two-fold work was painted, are present to his thoughts, yet are seen under a new and brighter aspect. Up to this time his task had been mainly that of a prophet of evil, "rooting out" and "pulling down." Now he sees before him the happier work of "building up" and "planting."

Verse 28. - As I have watched... so will I watch, etc. The allusion is to the twofold commission given to the prophet (Jeremiah 1:10), which was partly to pluck up and to destroy, partly to build and to plant. Jehovah has hitherto been "watchful" (another point of contact with ch. 1; see on Jeremiah 1:12) over the fulfilment of the destructive prophecies; he will now be equally zealous for that of the promises of regeneration.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Just as
כַּאֲשֶׁ֧ר (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

I watched
שָׁקַ֣דְתִּי (šā·qaḏ·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 8245: To be alert, sleepless, to be on the lookout

over
עֲלֵיהֶ֗ם (‘ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

them to uproot
לִנְת֧וֹשׁ (lin·ṯō·wōš)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5428: To pull or pluck up, root out

and tear them down,
וְלִנְת֛וֹץ (wə·lin·ṯō·wṣ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5422: To pull down, break down

to demolish,
וְלַהֲרֹ֖ס (wə·la·hă·rōs)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 2040: To pull down, in pieces, break, & destroy

destroy,
וּלְהַאֲבִ֣יד (ū·lə·ha·’ă·ḇîḏ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6: To wander away, lose oneself, to perish

and bring disaster,
וּלְהָרֵ֑עַ (ū·lə·hā·rê·a‘)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7489: To spoil, to make, good for, nothing, bad

so
כֵּ֣ן (kên)
Adverb
Strong's 3651: So -- thus

will I be attentive
אֶשְׁקֹ֧ד (’eš·qōḏ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 8245: To be alert, sleepless, to be on the lookout

to build them
לִבְנ֥וֹת (liḇ·nō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1129: To build

and to plant them,”
וְלִנְט֖וֹעַ (wə·lin·ṭō·w·a‘)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5193: To strike in, fix, to plant

declares
נְאֻם־ (nə·’um-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5002: An oracle

the LORD.
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 31:28 It shall happen that like as (Jer.)
Jeremiah 31:27
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