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.