For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.

JEREMIAH 31:25KJV
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What does Jeremiah 31:25 mean?

Jeremiah 31:25 promises that God will fully satisfy those who are weary and will restore those who are sorrowful. The verse speaks of God’s care for people who are exhausted or burdened, assuring them that He will meet their deepest needs.

In this part of Jeremiah, God is speaking through the prophet to the people of Israel, who have suffered exile and hardship. The verse comes in a section where God describes a future time of comfort and restoration for His people. The language highlights God’s personal attention to those who feel drained or broken, emphasizing renewal and hope after a period of suffering.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 31:25

  • "satiated" (רָוָה, ravah): This word means to satisfy or fill to the full, often with the sense of quenching thirst or hunger. Here, it shows God’s promise to completely meet the needs of those who are weary.
  • "weary" (עָיֵף, ayef): This word refers to someone who is tired or worn out, not just physically but also emotionally or spiritually. The focus is on those who have reached the end of their strength.
  • "soul" (נֶפֶשׁ, nefesh): This term means “life” or “self,” capturing the whole person, not just the inner feelings. God’s care is for the entire person, not just their emotions.
  • "replenished" (מָלֵא, male): This word means to fill up or restore, suggesting a sense of being made whole again after loss or emptiness.
  • "sorrowful" (דָּאָב, da’av): This word means to be grieved or pained, pointing to those who are deeply troubled or hurting inside.

Why Jeremiah 31:25 matters

  • Jeremiah 31:25 clarifies that God’s restoration is not just for the nation as a whole but also for individuals who are personally weary or sorrowful.
  • The verse highlights God’s intimate awareness of human exhaustion and grief, showing that His promises address both physical and emotional needs.
  • In the wider context, this verse is part of a message of hope and renewal after judgment, helping the reader see that God’s ultimate plan includes comfort and restoration for those who have suffered.

Where else these words appear

“sorrowful” Hebrew H1669 · used in 3 verses

  • Psalms 88:9 Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee.
  • Jeremiah 31:12 Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.

“satiated” Hebrew H7301 · used in 14 verses

  • Psalms 36:8 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.
  • Proverbs 11:25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
  • Isaiah 43:24 Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.

“weary” Hebrew H5889 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 25:29 And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:
  • 2 Samuel 16:14 And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there.
  • Proverbs 25:25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.