Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever.

JEREMIAH 3:12KJV
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Jeremiah 3:12 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 3:12 mean?

Jeremiah 3:12 describes God sending a message to the people of Israel in the north, calling them to return to Him despite their unfaithfulness, and promising not to stay angry forever because He is merciful. The verse shows God’s willingness to forgive if the people turn back to Him.

In this verse, God speaks through the prophet Jeremiah, addressing the northern kingdom of Israel after their history of turning away from Him. The command to "proclaim these words toward the north" refers to reaching out to those exiled or scattered Israelites. The verse emphasizes God’s character as merciful and not quick to hold onto anger, offering hope for restoration if the people repent.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 3:12

  • "Return" (שׁוּב, shuv): This word means to turn back or return, often used for repentance. Here, it highlights God’s invitation for Israel to change direction and come back to Him.
  • "Backsliding" (מְשׁוּבָה, meshubah): This word refers to turning away or being unfaithful. It paints a picture of Israel’s repeated wandering from God.
  • "Merciful" (חָסִיד, chasid): This word means kind, faithful, or loyal in love. God’s mercy is the reason He offers forgiveness instead of lasting anger.
  • "Keep" (נָטַר, natar): This word means to guard or keep, often in the sense of holding onto something like anger. God says He will not keep or hold onto His anger forever, showing His readiness to let go of wrath.

Why Jeremiah 3:12 matters

  • Jeremiah 3:12 corrects the idea that God is always angry or unwilling to forgive; it stresses that His mercy is greater than His anger.
  • The verse connects to the larger message of Jeremiah, where God repeatedly calls His people back rather than simply punishing them.
  • Understanding the words for "return" and "backsliding" helps clarify that God’s call is not just about physical return, but a change of heart and direction.

Where else these words appear

“keep” Hebrew H5201 · used in 8 verses

  • Leviticus 19:18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
  • Song of Solomon 1:6 Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.
  • Song of Solomon 8:12 My vineyard, which is mine, is before me: thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred.

“backsliding” Hebrew H4878 · used in 12 verses

  • Proverbs 1:32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
  • Jeremiah 3:8 And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.
  • Jeremiah 8:5 Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.

“merciful” Hebrew H2623 · used in 32 verses

  • Deuteronomy 33:8 And of Levi he said, Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah;
  • Psalms 32:6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.
  • Psalms 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

“north” Hebrew H6828 · used in 141 verses

  • Genesis 13:14 And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:
  • 1 Chronicles 26:14 And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.
  • Ezekiel 21:4 Seeing then that I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth out of his sheath against all flesh from the south to the north: