Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.

JEREMIAH 31:13KJV
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Jeremiah 31:13 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 31:13 mean?

Jeremiah 31:13 describes a future time when God will replace sorrow with joy for His people: young women will dance, and both young and old men will celebrate together, because God promises to turn their mourning into happiness and comfort them, making them rejoice instead of grieve. This verse is a promise of restoration and deep emotional healing after a period of suffering.

The prophet Jeremiah is speaking God's message to the people of Israel, who have experienced great loss and exile. In this verse, God assures them that their time of sadness will end, and all generations—young and old, men and women—will join in joyful celebration. The verse highlights a complete reversal of fortune, with God personally involved in comforting and transforming their sorrow into gladness.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 31:13

  • The word for "virgin" is בְּתוּלָה (betulah), which often means a young unmarried woman. Its use here emphasizes innocence and new beginnings, highlighting the freshness of the coming joy.
  • "Rejoice" is שָׂמַח (samach), which means to be glad or joyful. This word is used twice in the verse, stressing the depth and fullness of the promised happiness.
  • "Dance" is מָחוֹל (machol), referring to a joyful, communal dance. This detail shows that the joy is not just private but shared openly in the community.
  • "Turn" is הָפַךְ (haphak), meaning to change or transform. The promise is not just to end mourning, but to actively transform it into joy—a complete reversal.
  • "Mourning" is אֵבֶל (evel), which means deep grief or lamentation, often connected to loss or disaster. The contrast with "joy" (שָׂשׂוֹן, sason) and "rejoice" (שָׂמַח, samach) is especially strong in the original language.

Why Jeremiah 31:13 matters

  • Jeremiah 31:13 clarifies that God's promise of restoration is for everyone, not just a select group—both young and old, men and women, are included in the celebration.
  • The verse emphasizes that God is not distant but personally involved in comforting His people, showing a tender and active care in their healing.
  • This verse connects to the larger theme of Jeremiah 31, where God promises a new covenant and a return from exile, making it a key moment of hope in the book.

Where else these words appear

“dance” Hebrew H4234 · used in 6 verses

  • Psalms 30:11 Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
  • Psalms 149:3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
  • Jeremiah 31:4 Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry.

“sorrow” Hebrew H3015 · used in 14 verses

  • Genesis 42:38 And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.
  • Psalms 31:10 For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.
  • Isaiah 51:11 Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.

“mourning” Hebrew H60 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 27:41 And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.
  • Esther 4:3 And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
  • Jeremiah 6:26 O daughter of my people, gird thee with sackcloth, and wallow thyself in ashes: make thee mourning, as for an only son, most bitter lamentation: for the spoiler shall suddenly come upon us.

“joy” Hebrew H8342 · used in 22 verses

  • Esther 8:16 The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.
  • Isaiah 12:3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
  • Jeremiah 15:16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.