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.

JEREMIAH 31:4KJV
Know the Bible

Jeremiah 31:4 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 31:4 mean?

Jeremiah 31:4 promises that God will restore Israel, pictured as a young woman, to a time of joy and celebration after a period of hardship and loss. The verse uses images of rebuilding, festive music, and dancing to show that Israel will once again experience happiness and community life.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to the people of Israel, who have suffered exile and destruction. Calling Israel a "virgin" highlights innocence and a fresh start, despite past failures. The mention of "tabrets" (small hand drums) and dancing points to public rejoicing, suggesting a complete reversal from sorrow to gladness.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 31:4

  • "Build" and "built" (בָּנָה, banah): This word means to construct or restore. Its repetition stresses that God is personally involved in rebuilding Israel, not just physically but as a people.
  • "Virgin" (בְּתוּלָה, betulah): This term often refers to a young woman who has not married. Here, it paints Israel as someone with a chance for a new beginning, emphasizing purity and hope.
  • "Adorned" (עָדָה, adah): This word means to decorate or dress up. It suggests that Israel will not just be restored but will be honored and made beautiful again.
  • "Tabrets" (תֹּף, tof): These are small hand drums used in celebrations. Their mention shows that the restoration includes joyful worship and communal festivities.
  • "Dances" (מְחוֹל, mechol): This refers to group dancing, often part of Hebrew celebrations. It highlights the return of public happiness and shared life.

Why Jeremiah 31:4 matters

  • Jeremiah 31:4 clears up the idea that Israel’s story ends in defeat; instead, it promises a future of renewal and joy.
  • The verse emphasizes that God’s restoration is not just spiritual or internal but includes visible, communal celebration and beauty.
  • This promise connects to the wider chapter, which speaks of a new covenant and lasting hope for God’s people, showing that restoration is both personal and national.

Where else these words appear

“dances” 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 31:13 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.

“adorned” Hebrew H5710 · used in 10 verses

  • Job 28:8 The lion's whelps have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion passed by it.
  • Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
  • Ezekiel 16:13 Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver; and thy raiment was of fine linen, and silk, and broidered work; thou didst eat fine flour, and honey, and oil: and thou wast exceeding beautiful, and thou didst prosper into a kingdom.

“tabrets” Hebrew H8596 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 31:27 Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?
  • 2 Samuel 6:5 And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.
  • Psalms 150:4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.

“merry” Hebrew H7832 · used in 36 verses

  • Judges 16:25 And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the prison house; and he made them sport: and they set him between the pillars.
  • Job 30:1 But now they that are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock.
  • Proverbs 1:26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;