Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the LORD our God.

JEREMIAH 3:22KJV
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Jeremiah 3:22 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 3:22 mean?

Jeremiah 3:22 presents a conversation between the LORD and his people. The LORD calls them to turn back from their unfaithfulness and promises to heal them. The people answer by acknowledging that the LORD is their God.

The verse uses the picture of children who have wandered from a parent. The promise to “heal” describes their unfaithfulness as something that needs restoring. After the weeping heard in verse 21, the people’s reply gives voice to their return.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 3:22

  • “Return” — שׁוּב (shuv): This word means to turn back or return. It gives the LORD’s call the picture of a change in direction.
  • “backsliding” — שׁוֹבֵב (shovev): This word can describe someone who turns away. Its connection with the word for “return” brings out the contrast between the children’s wandering and the direction of the LORD’s call.

Why Jeremiah 3:22 matters

  • The people’s answer is part of the verse, not just the LORD’s invitation. “Behold, we come unto thee” gives their response in their own voice.
  • Their return is tied to recognizing who their God is. They say, “for thou art the LORD our God,” making that recognition the reason they give for coming.
  • The surrounding passage shows what their unfaithfulness involved. In verse 23, the people admit that the help sought from the hills and mountains was deceptive, and they look instead to the LORD.

Where else these words appear

“backsliding” Hebrew H7726 · used in 4 verses

  • Isaiah 57:17 For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart.
  • Jeremiah 3:14 Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:
  • Jeremiah 50:6 My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace.

“backslidings” 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.

“come” Hebrew H857 · used in 20 verses

  • Deuteronomy 33:2 And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them.
  • Psalms 68:31 Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.
  • Isaiah 41:25 I have raised up one from the north, and he shall come: from the rising of the sun shall he call upon my name: and he shall come upon princes as upon morter, and as the potter treadeth clay.

“heal” Hebrew H7495 · used in 62 verses

  • Genesis 20:17 So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.
  • 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
  • Jeremiah 6:14 They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.