Definition: For thus saith the LORD; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O LORD, save thy people, the remnant of Israel.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Jeremiah 31:7. It’s a really powerful and hopeful message about God’s plan for Israel. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is going to literally rebuild the nation of Israel after they’ve been divided into different tribes. He's saying, “I’m going to give you back your land and your people!” And he wants everyone to celebrate this with joy and praise. Let’s break it down word by word: “Jeremiah 31:7” : This is the verse itself – a specific passage from the Book of Jeremiah. “For thus saith the LORD…” : This is a formal introduction, meaning God is speaking. “…Sing with gladness for Jacob…” : This refers to the patriarch Jacob (often associated with the Israelites) and his descendants. The verse suggests that God is going to bring back the blessings and prosperity that were lost during the division of Israel. “…and shout among the chief of the nations:” This means that people from all over the world will be invited to celebrate this new rebuilding. It’s a huge invitation for everyone to rejoice and share in the joy of returning to their ancestral homeland. “Publish ye, praise ye, and say, O LORD, save thy people, the remnant of Israel.” : This is the core of the message. God is asking everyone – from every corner of the world – to: Publish: Share the news! Tell others about this momentous event. Praise: Give thanks to God for His plan and for the restoration of his people. Say: Express joy and recognize that God is protecting them and saving them. Overall Meaning & Significance: This verse speaks to a huge, fundamental hope within Judaism. It’s about God's commitment to restoring his covenant with Israel, bringing back what was lost, and giving them a future filled with blessing and prosperity. It's a message of ultimate restoration and celebration. Think of it like this: It's like a promise – God is saying, “I’m going to bring your nation back together, and I want you all to be happy about it.” --- Do you have any specific questions about this verse that you’d like me to answer? For example, are you curious about: The historical context of the prophecy? The symbolism behind the "singing" and "praising"? How this verse relates to other biblical stories?