Jeremiah 31:36
New International Version
“Only if these decrees vanish from my sight,” declares the LORD, “will Israel ever cease being a nation before me.” declares the LORD.

New Living Translation
“I am as likely to reject my people Israel as I am to abolish the laws of nature!”

English Standard Version
“If this fixed order departs from before me, declares the LORD, then shall the offspring of Israel cease from being a nation before me forever.”

Berean Standard Bible
“Only if this fixed order departed from My presence, declares the LORD, would Israel’s descendants ever cease to be a nation before Me.”

King James Bible
If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.

New King James Version
“If those ordinances depart From before Me, says the LORD, Then the seed of Israel shall also cease From being a nation before Me forever.”

New American Standard Bible
“If this fixed order departs From Me,” declares the LORD, “Then the descendants of Israel also will cease To be a nation before Me forever.”

NASB 1995
“If this fixed order departs From before Me,” declares the LORD, “Then the offspring of Israel also will cease From being a nation before Me forever.”

NASB 1977
“If this fixed order departs From before Me,” declares the LORD, “Then the offspring of Israel also shall cease From being a nation before Me forever.”

Legacy Standard Bible
“If these statutes are removed From before Me,” declares Yahweh, “Then the seed of Israel also will cease From being a nation before Me forever.”

Amplified Bible
“If this fixed order departs From before Me,” says the LORD, “Then the descendants of Israel also will cease From being a nation before Me forever.”

Christian Standard Bible
If this fixed order departs from before me — this is the LORD’s declaration — only then will Israel’s descendants cease to be a nation before me forever.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If this fixed order departs from My presence— this is the LORD’s declaration— then also Israel’s descendants will cease to be a nation before Me forever.

American Standard Version
If these ordinances depart from before me, saith Jehovah, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.

Contemporary English Version
I will never forget to give those commands, and I will never let Israel stop being a nation. I, the LORD, have spoken.

English Revised Version
If these ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Only if these laws stop working, declares the LORD, will Israel's descendants stop being a nation in my presence.

Good News Translation
He promises that as long as the natural order lasts, so long will Israel be a nation.

International Standard Version
"If these laws cease to function in my presence," declares the LORD, "then the descendants of Israel will cease to be a nation in my presence for all time!"

Majority Standard Bible
“Only if this fixed order departed from My presence, declares the LORD, would Israel’s descendants ever cease to be a nation before Me.”

NET Bible
The LORD affirms, "The descendants of Israel will not cease forever to be a nation in my sight. That could only happen if the fixed ordering of the heavenly lights were to cease to operate before me."

New Heart English Bible
"If this fixed order departs from before me," says the LORD, "then the descendants of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me forever."

Webster's Bible Translation
If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.

World English Bible
“If these ordinances depart from before me,” says Yahweh, “then the offspring of Israel also will cease from being a nation before me forever.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“If these statutes depart from before Me,” "" A declaration of YHWH, "" “Even the seed of Israel ceases "" From being a nation before Me [for] all the days.”

Young's Literal Translation
If these statutes depart from before Me, An affirmation of Jehovah, Even the seed of Israel doth cease From being a nation before Me all the days.

Smith's Literal Translation
If these laws shall depart from my face, says Jehovah, also the seed of Israel shall cease from being a nation before me all the days.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If these ordinances shall fail before me, saith the Lord: then also the seed of Israel shall fail, so as not to be a nation before me for ever.

Catholic Public Domain Version
If these laws fail in my sight, says the Lord, then the offspring of Israel will also fail, so that they will not be a people in my sight for all time.”

New American Bible
If ever this fixed order gives way before me—oracle of the LORD— Then would the offspring of Israel cease as a people before me forever.

New Revised Standard Version
If this fixed order were ever to cease from my presence, says the LORD, then also the offspring of Israel would cease to be a nation before me forever.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
If those ordinances depart from before me, says the LORD, then the descendants of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
If these courses shall pass away from before me, says LORD JEHOVAH, also the seed of Israel shall come to an end, that they shall not be a nation before me all of their days
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
If these ordinances depart from before Me, Saith the LORD, Then the seed of Israel also shall cease From being a nation before Me for ever.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
if these ordinances cease from before me, saith the Lord, then shall the family of Israel cease to be a nation before me forever.
Audio Bible



Context
Mourning Turned to Joy
35Thus says the LORD, who gives the sun for light by day, who sets in order the moon and stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—the LORD of Hosts is His name: 36“Only if this fixed order departed from My presence, declares the LORD, would Israel’s descendants ever cease to be a nation before Me.” 37This is what the LORD says: “Only if the heavens above could be measured and the foundations of the earth below searched out would I reject all of Israel’s descendants because of all they have done,” declares the LORD.…

Cross References
Genesis 8:22
As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night shall never cease.”

Psalm 89:36-37
his offspring shall endure forever, and his throne before Me like the sun, / like the moon, established forever, a faithful witness in the sky.” Selah

Isaiah 54:9-10
“For to Me this is like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth. So I have sworn that I will not be angry with you or rebuke you. / Though the mountains may be removed and the hills may be shaken, My loving devotion will not depart from you, and My covenant of peace will not be broken,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

Romans 11:1-2
I ask then, did God reject His people? Certainly not! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. / God did not reject His people, whom He foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says about Elijah, how he appealed to God against Israel:

Psalm 148:6
He established them forever and ever; He issued a decree that will never pass away.

Isaiah 40:8
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”

Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.

Isaiah 51:6
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth below; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and its people will die like gnats. But My salvation will last forever, and My righteousness will never fail.

Hebrews 1:10-12
And: “In the beginning, O Lord, You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. / They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment. / You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed; but You remain the same, and Your years will never end.”

Isaiah 55:3
Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David.

Romans 11:29
For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable.

Malachi 3:6
“Because I, the LORD, do not change, you descendants of Jacob have not been destroyed.

2 Peter 3:7
And by that same word, the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

Isaiah 45:17
But Israel will be saved by the LORD with an everlasting salvation; you will not be put to shame or humiliated, to ages everlasting.

Luke 21:33
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.


Treasury of Scripture

If those ordinances depart from before me, said the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.

those.

Jeremiah 33:20-26
Thus saith the LORD; If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season; …

Psalm 72:5,17
They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations…

Psalm 89:36,37
His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me…

cease.

Jeremiah 46:28
Fear thou not, O Jacob my servant, saith the LORD: for I am with thee; for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I have driven thee: but I will not make a full end of thee, but correct thee in measure; yet will I not leave thee wholly unpunished.

Deuteronomy 32:26
I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men:

Amos 9:8,9
Behold, the eyes of the Lord GOD are upon the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from off the face of the earth; saving that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob, saith the LORD…

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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.














Only if this fixed order
The phrase "fixed order" refers to the established natural laws and ordinances that govern the universe, such as the cycles of day and night, the seasons, and the celestial bodies. In Hebrew, the word used here is "חֻקּוֹת" (chuqqot), which can mean statutes or decrees. This highlights the unchanging and reliable nature of God's creation. The implication is that just as these natural laws are constant and dependable, so is God's promise to Israel. The fixed order serves as a metaphor for God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with Israel.

departed from My presence
The idea of departing from God's presence suggests a scenario that is impossible or unthinkable. In the Hebrew context, "departed" (סוּר, sur) implies turning away or removal. God's presence is synonymous with His sustaining power and authority over creation. The impossibility of the fixed order departing from God underscores the certainty and permanence of His promises. It reassures the faithful that God's covenant with Israel is as enduring as the natural order itself.

declares the LORD
This phrase is a divine affirmation, emphasizing the authority and certainty of the statement. In Hebrew, "declares" (נְאֻם, ne'um) is often used in prophetic literature to introduce a solemn pronouncement from God. The use of "the LORD" (יהוה, Yahweh) invokes the covenant name of God, reminding the reader of His eternal nature and faithfulness. It is a reminder that the words spoken are not merely human speculation but divine truth.

would Israel’s descendants ever cease
The phrase "Israel’s descendants" refers to the people of Israel, the chosen nation through whom God has chosen to reveal Himself and His purposes. The Hebrew word for "descendants" (זֶרַע, zera) can also mean seed, indicating continuity and future generations. The notion of ceasing (חָדַל, chadal) implies coming to an end or being cut off. This part of the verse reassures that the nation of Israel will never be completely destroyed or lose its identity, as long as the fixed order remains.

to be a nation before Me
The concept of being a "nation before Me" signifies a recognized and established people in the sight of God. The Hebrew word for nation (גּוֹי, goy) is often used to describe a distinct group with a common identity and purpose. The phrase "before Me" (לְפָנַי, lefanai) indicates a special relationship and standing in the presence of God. This underscores the idea that Israel's existence and identity are not merely political or social but are deeply rooted in their covenant relationship with God.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Only if
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

this
הָאֵ֛לֶּה (hā·’êl·leh)
Article | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

fixed order
הַחֻקִּ֥ים (ha·ḥuq·qîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2706: Something prescribed or owed, a statute

departed
יָמֻ֜שׁוּ (yā·mu·šū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 4185: To depart, remove

from My presence,
מִלְּפָנַ֖י (mil·lə·p̄ā·nay)
Preposition-m, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6440: The face

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

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

would Israel’s
יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

descendants
זֶ֨רַע (ze·ra‘)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2233: Seed, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

ever
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

cease
יִשְׁבְּת֗וּ (yiš·bə·ṯū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7673: To repose, desist from exertion

to be
מִֽהְי֥וֹת (mih·yō·wṯ)
Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a nation
גּ֛וֹי (gō·w)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

before Me.”
לְפָנַ֖י (lə·p̄ā·nay)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6440: The face


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 31:36 If these ordinances depart from before me (Jer.)
Jeremiah 31:35
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