Jeremiah 31:18
Parallel Verses
New International Version
"I have surely heard Ephraim's moaning: 'You disciplined me like an unruly calf, and I have been disciplined. Restore me, and I will return, because you are the LORD my God.


English Standard Version
I have heard Ephraim grieving, ‘You have disciplined me, and I was disciplined, like an untrained calf; bring me back that I may be restored, for you are the LORD my God.


New American Standard Bible
"I have surely heard Ephraim grieving, 'You have chastised me, and I was chastised, Like an untrained calf; Bring me back that I may be restored, For You are the LORD my God.


King James Bible
I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God.


Holman Christian Standard Bible
I have heard Ephraim moaning, "You disciplined me, and I have been disciplined like an untrained calf. Restore me, and I will return, for you, LORD, are my God.


International Standard Version
"I've certainly heard Ephraim shuddering with grief as they said, 'You have disciplined me, and I'm disciplined like an untrained calf. Restore me, and let me return, for you are the LORD my God.


American Standard Version
I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus , Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a calf unaccustomed to the yoke : turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art Jehovah my God.


Douay-Rheims Bible
Hearing I heard Ephraim when he went into captivity: thou hast chastised me, and I was instructed, as a young bullock unaccustomed to the yoke. Convert me, and I shall be converted, for thou art the Lord my God.


Darby Bible Translation
I have indeed heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus: Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised as a bullock not trained: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art Jehovah my God.


Young's Literal Translation
I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself, 'Thou hast chastised me, And I am chastised, as a heifer not taught, Turn me back, and I turn back, For thou art Jehovah my God.


Cross References
Acts 3:26
To you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.


Numbers 2:18
On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of Ephraim according to their armies: and the captain of the sons of Ephraim shall be Elishama the son of Ammihud.


Job 5:17
Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects: therefore despise not you the chastening of the Almighty:


Psalm 80:3
Turn us again, O God, and cause your face to shine; and we shall be saved.


Psalm 80:7
Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause your face to shine; and we shall be saved.


Psalm 94:12
Blessed is the man whom you chasten, O LORD, and teach him out of your law;


Psalm 118:18
The LORD has chastened me sore: but he has not given me over to death.


Psalm 119:67
Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept your word.


Jeremiah 3:21
A voice was heard on the high places, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel: for they have perverted their way, and they have forgotten the LORD their God.


Jeremiah 17:14
Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for you are my praise.


Jump to Previous
Bemoaning Bullock Calf Chastised Cow Disciplined Ears Ephraim E'phraim Ephraim's Grief Grieving Heard Heifer Indeed Moaning Restore Restored Surely Taught Thou Training Turn Turned Undergone Unruly Untrained Unused Words Yoke Young
Jump to Next
Bemoaning Bullock Calf Chastised Cow Disciplined Ears Ephraim E'phraim Ephraim's Grief Grieving Heard Heifer Indeed Moaning Restore Restored Surely Taught Thou Training Turn Turned Undergone Unruly Untrained Unused Words Yoke Young
Commentaries
31:18-20 Ephraim (the ten tribes) is weeping for sin. He is angry at himself for his sin, and folly, and frowardness. He finds he cannot, by his own power, keep himself close with God, much less bring himself back when he is revolted. Therefore he prays, Turn thou me, and I shall be turned. His will was bowed to the will of God. When the teaching of God's Spirit went with the corrections of his providence, then the work was done. This is our comfort in affliction, that the Lord thinks upon us. God has mercy in store, rich mercy, sure mercy, suitable mercy, for all who seek him in sincerity.

18. Ephraim—representing the ten tribes.

bemoaning himself—The spirit of penitent supplication shall at last be poured on Israel as the necessary forerunner of their restoration (Zec 12:10-14).

Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised—In the first clause the chastisement itself is meant; in the second the beneficial effect of it in teaching the penitent true wisdom.

bullock unaccustomed to … yoke—A similar image occurs in De 32:15. Compare "stiff-necked," Ac 7:51; Ex 32:9, an image from refractory oxen. Before my chastisement I needed the severe correction I received, as much as an untamed bullock needs the goad. Compare Ac 9:5, where the same figure is used of Saul while unconverted. Israel has had a longer chastisement than Judah, not having been restored even at the Jews' return from Babylon. Hereafter, at its restoration, it shall confess the sore discipline was all needed to "accustom" it to God's "easy yoke" (Mt 11:29, 30).

turn thou me—by Thy converting Spirit (La 5:21). But why does Ephraim pray for conversion, seeing that he is already converted? Because we are converted by progressive steps, and need the same power of God to carry forward, as to originate, our conversion (Joh 6:44, 65; compare with Isa 27:3; 1Pe 1:5; Php 1:6).

Jeremiah 31:17
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