Jeremiah 31:20
Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the Lord.
Study Note
Study Note
'Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the Lord.' This divine soliloquy is among the most tender passages in the Hebrew prophets, depicting God as a parent whose love persists and even intensifies through discipline and distance. The phrase 'bowels are troubled' (hamu me'ay) expresses visceral, gut-level longing — the same root used of compassion in 1 Kings 3:26. Jesus's Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) where the father 'saw him... and had compassion, and ran' reflects this exact divine emotional posture.
Other Translations
Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a darling child? for as often as I speak against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my heart yearneth for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith Jehovah.
A precious son is Ephraim to Me? A child of delights? For since My speaking against him, I do thoroughly remember him still, Therefore have My bowels been moved for him, I do greatly love him, An affirmation of Jehovah.
Is Ephraim my dear son? is he the child of my delight? for whenever I say things against him, I still keep him in my memory: so my heart is troubled for him; I will certainly have mercy on him, says the Lord.
Cross References
And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he …
For the Lord shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that their power is …
And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the Lord: and his soul was grieved for …
Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and …
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him.
Wherefore my bowels shall sound like an harp for Moab, and mine inward parts for Kir–haresh.
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and …
For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, …