Jeremiah 3:22
Jeremiah 3:22 in Multiple Translations
“Return, O faithless children, and I will heal your faithlessness.” “Here we are. We come to You, for You are the LORD our God.
Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the LORD our God.
Return, ye backsliding children, I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we are come unto thee; for thou art Jehovah our God.
Come back, you children who have been turned away, and I will take away your desire for wandering. See, we have come to you, for you are the Lord our God.
Come back, unfaithful children, and I will heal your unfaithfulness. “We're here! Yes, we're coming back to you, because you are the Lord our God.”
O yee disobedient children, returne and I wil heale your rebellions. Behold, we come vnto thee, for thou art the Lord our God.
Turn back, O backsliding sons, I cause your backslidings to cease. — Behold us, we have come to Thee, For Thou [art] Jehovah our God.
Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backsliding. “Behold, we have come to you; for you are the LORD our God.
Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come to thee; for thou art the LORD our God.
Return, you rebellious children, and I will heal your rebellions. Behold we come to thee: for thou art the Lord our God.
Yahweh will say to them, “You Israeli people, come back to me! If you do that, I will cause you to never turn away from me again.” The people will reply, “We are returning to you, because you are Yahweh, our God.
Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 3:22
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Jeremiah 3:22 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
שׁ֚וּבוּ
בָּנִ֣ים
שׁוֹבָבִ֔ים
אֶרְפָּ֖ה
מְשׁוּבֹֽתֵי/כֶ֑ם
הִנְ/נוּ֙
אָתָ֣נוּ
לָ֔/ךְ
כִּ֥י
אַתָּ֖ה
יְהֹוָ֥ה
אֱלֹהֵֽי/נוּ
שׁ֚וּבוּ
shûwb
H7725
to return
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
בָּנִ֣ים
bên
H1121
son
N-mp
שׁוֹבָבִ֔ים
shôwbâb
H7726
turning back
Adj
אֶרְפָּ֖ה
râphâʼ
H7495
to heal
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
מְשׁוּבֹֽתֵי/כֶ֑ם
mᵉshûwbâh
H4878
faithlessness
N-fp | Suff
הִנְ/נוּ֙
hên
H2005
look!
Part | Suff
אָתָ֣נוּ
ʼâthâh
H857
to come
V-Qal-Perf-1cp
לָ֔/ךְ
Prep | Suff
כִּ֥י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
אַתָּ֖ה
ʼattâh
H859
you(m.s.)
Pron
יְהֹוָ֥ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
אֱלֹהֵֽי/נוּ
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
N-mp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 3:22
שׁ֚וּבוּ
shûwb
H7725
"to return"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back
Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.
בָּנִ֣ים
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
שׁוֹבָבִ֔ים
shôwbâb
H7726
"turning back"
Adj
This word describes someone who has turned away from God, and is often translated as backsliding or apostate. It is used to describe those who have rejected God's ways and turned to idolatry.
Definition: backsliding, backturning, apostate, recusant
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: backsliding, frowardly, turn away (from margin). See also: Isaiah 57:17; Jeremiah 3:22; Jeremiah 3:14.
אֶרְפָּ֖ה
râphâʼ
H7495
"to heal"
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to heal or mend, often referring to God's power to cure physical or emotional hurts, as seen in Psalm 103:3.
Definition: 1) to heal, make healthful 1a) (Qal) to heal 1a1) of God 1a2) healer, physician (of men) 1a3) of hurts of nations involving restored favour (fig) 1a4) of individual distresses (fig) 1b) (Niphal) to be healed 1b1) literal (of persons) 1b2) of water, pottery 1b3) of national hurts (fig) 1b4) of personal distress (fig) 1c) (Piel) to heal 1c1) literal 1c2) of national defects or hurts (fig) 1d) (Hithpael) in order to get healed (infinitive)
Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: cure, (cause to) heal, physician, repair, [idiom] thoroughly, make whole. See H7503 (רָפָה). See also: Genesis 20:17; Psalms 107:20; Psalms 6:3.
מְשׁוּבֹֽתֵי/כֶ֑ם
mᵉshûwbâh
H4878
"faithlessness"
N-fp | Suff
This word describes turning away from God, or faithlessness. It is used to convey the idea of apostasy or backsliding. In the Bible, it is often used to describe Israel's unfaithfulness to God.
Definition: turning away, turning back, apostasy, backsliding
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: backsliding, turning away. See also: Proverbs 1:32; Jeremiah 3:22; Jeremiah 2:19.
הִנְ/נוּ֙
hên
H2005
"look!"
Part | Suff
An expression meaning look or behold, used to get someone's attention, like in the prophet Isaiah's writings. It can also express surprise or introduce a hypothetical situation.
Definition: interj 1) behold, lo, though hypothetical part 2) if Aramaic equivalent: hen (הֵן "look!" H2006A)
Usage: Occurs in 311 OT verses. KJV: behold, if, lo, though. See also: Genesis 3:22; Job 2:6; Psalms 51:7.
אָתָ֣נוּ
ʼâthâh
H857
"to come"
V-Qal-Perf-1cp
To arrive or come to a place, it can also mean to bring something. It is used in the Bible to describe the coming of people, events, or things.
Definition: 1) to come, arrive 1a) (Qal) to come (of men, time, beasts, calamity) 1b) (Hiphil) to bring Aramaic equivalent: a.tah (אֲתָה "to come" H0858)
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: (be-, things to) come (upon), bring. See also: Deuteronomy 33:2; Isaiah 41:5; Psalms 68:32.
לָ֔/ךְ
""
Prep | Suff
כִּ֥י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
אַתָּ֖ה
ʼattâh
H859
"you(m.s.)"
Pron
You is the translation of a Hebrew word used to address someone directly, like when God says you to someone in the Bible. It can be singular or plural, and is often translated as thee, thou, or ye.
Definition: you (second pers. sing. masc.)
Usage: Occurs in 997 OT verses. KJV: thee, thou, ye, you. See also: Genesis 3:11; Exodus 23:9; Deuteronomy 14:1.
יְהֹוָ֥ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
אֱלֹהֵֽי/נוּ
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
N-mp | Suff
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
Study Notes — Jeremiah 3:22
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Jeremiah 3:22 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 3:22
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 3:22
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 3:22
- Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 3:22
- Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 3:22
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 3:22
- Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 3:22
- Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 3:22
- Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 3:22
- Sermons on Jeremiah 3:22
Context — A Call to Repentance
20But as a woman may betray her husband, so you have betrayed Me, O house of Israel,” declares the LORD.
21A voice is heard on the barren heights, the children of Israel weeping and begging for mercy, because they have perverted their ways and forgotten the LORD their God.
22“Return, O faithless children, and I will heal your faithlessness.” “Here we are. We come to You, for You are the LORD our God.
23Surely deception comes from the hills, and commotion from the mountains. Surely the salvation of Israel is in the LORD our God. 24From our youth, that shameful god has consumed what our fathers have worked for— their flocks and herds, their sons and daughters.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hosea 14:1 | Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled by your iniquity. |
| 2 | Hosea 14:4 | I will heal their apostasy; I will freely love them, for My anger has turned away from them. |
| 3 | Zechariah 13:9 | This third I will bring through the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are My people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’” |
| 4 | Hosea 6:1–2 | Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us to pieces, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bind up our wounds. After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His presence. |
| 5 | Jeremiah 30:17 | But I will restore your health and heal your wounds, declares the LORD, because they call you an outcast, Zion, for whom no one cares.” |
| 6 | Hosea 3:5 | Afterward, the people of Israel will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to His goodness in the last days. |
| 7 | Hosea 13:4 | Yet I am the LORD your God ever since the land of Egypt; you know no God but Me, for there is no Savior besides Me. |
| 8 | Song of Solomon 1:4 | Take me away with you—let us hurry! May the king bring me to his chambers. The Friends We will rejoice and delight in you; we will praise your love more than wine. The Bride It is only right that they adore you. |
| 9 | Jeremiah 31:18 | I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning: ‘You disciplined me severely, like an untrained calf. Restore me, that I may return, for You are the LORD my God. |
| 10 | Hosea 14:8 | O Ephraim, what have I to do anymore with idols? It is I who answer and watch over him. I am like a flourishing cypress; your fruit comes from Me. |
Jeremiah 3:22 Summary
[Jeremiah 3:22 is a beautiful invitation from God to return to Him and be healed from our faithlessness. When we turn away from God and don't trust in Him, it's like being unfaithful to a spouse, and it hurts our relationship with Him. But God is always willing to forgive and restore us when we come back to Him, as seen in Psalm 51:17 where it says that a broken and contrite heart God will not despise. By acknowledging our sin and turning to God, we can experience His healing and restoration, and He will become our Lord and God once again, guiding us and protecting us as promised in Isaiah 41:10 where it says that God will strengthen us and help us and uphold us with His righteous right hand.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be 'faithless' in Jeremiah 3:22?
To be faithless means to turn away from God and not trust in Him, as seen in Jeremiah 3:20 where Israel is accused of betraying the Lord, similar to a woman betraying her husband, and as warned against in Proverbs 28:13 where it says that whoever conceals their transgressions will not prosper.
How does God 'heal faithlessness' as mentioned in Jeremiah 3:22?
God heals faithlessness by forgiving our sins and restoring our relationship with Him, as promised in Jeremiah 31:34 where it says that God will forgive our iniquity and remember our sin no more, and as seen in Psalm 103:12 where it says that as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
What is the significance of the phrase 'Here we are. We come to You' in Jeremiah 3:22?
This phrase signifies the people's repentance and willingness to return to God, acknowledging His sovereignty and their dependence on Him, similar to the repentance seen in Hosea 6:1-3 where the people ask to be restored and to come before God once more.
How does this verse relate to our lives today?
This verse reminds us that God is always willing to forgive and restore us when we turn to Him in repentance, just as He did with the Israelites, as seen in Luke 15:11-32 where the prodigal son is welcomed back by his father, and as promised in 1 John 1:9 where it says that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I have been 'faithless' and need to return to God?
- How can I demonstrate my repentance and willingness to follow God, like the Israelites in Jeremiah 3:22?
- What does it mean for God to be 'the Lord our God' in my life, and how can I acknowledge and submit to His sovereignty?
- In what ways can I seek God's healing and restoration for my faithlessness, and what steps can I take to prevent it in the future?
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 3:22
Return, ye backsliding children,.... This is the call of the Jews to repentance in the latter day; [See comments on Jeremiah 3:14]. and I will heal your backslidings; that is, I will forgive your sins.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 3:22
Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the LORD our God.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 3:22
Return, viz. repent for sin and from sin. Here God calls upon them, and invites them to consider whither they are going, and to hearken unto the voice of his ministers, . See . God doth as it were bid them hearken to his messengers, and then he will heal their backsliding. I will heal your backslidings, i.e. idolatries, whereby you turned from me, and rebelled against me; I will take you into that state, as if you had never turned from me; I will make all whole again among you, and reconcile you to myself, . See 13:9. I will not only remove your judgments, but your sins also shall be forgiven. Behold, we come unto thee. This is either God’ s framing their answer for them, prescribing the manner and form of their repentance, by a figure called mimesis, ,3; or it is their reply to God by way of promise, which they performed under Josiah, 2 Kings 22 2 Kings 23, which with their confession reacheth to the end of the chapter. For thou art the Lord our God; words expressing the strongest inducements to it imaginable, because God hath right to them, is willing to accept them, and able to save them, .
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 3:22
Jeremiah 3:22 Return, ye backsliding children, [and] I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou [art] the LORD our God.Ver. 22. Return, ye backsliding children.] Give the whole turn, and not the half turn only. So Acts 2:38, Peter said to them that were already pricked at heart, "Repent ye," even to a transmentation; and Jeremiah 3:19, "Repent ye, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out." Repent not only for sin, but from sin too; be thorough in your repentance; let it be such as shall never be repented of. It is not a slight sorrow that will serve apostates’ turn; it must be deep and downright. And I will heal your backslidings.] Pardon your sins, and heal your natures. "I will love you freely," and cause your broken bones to rejoice. Oh sweetest promise! What wonder, then, that their hard hearts were forthwith melted by it into such a gracious compliance as followeth. Behold, we come to thee.] See Zechariah 13:9.
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 3:22
(22) Return, ye backsliding children . . .—We lose, as before, the force of the Hebrew repetition of the same root, Turn, ye children that have turned, I will heal your turnings. As so often in Hebrew poetry, we have the answer to the invitation given in dramatic form, and hear the cry—we might almost call it the litany—of the suppliants, “Behold, we come unto thee.” They at last own Jehovah as their one true God.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 3:22
Verse 22. Return, ye backsliding children] This they gladly receive, and with one voice make their confession to him: "Behold, we come unto thee, for thou art Jehovah our God;" and thence to the end of the chapter, show the reasons why they return unto God. 1. Because he is the true God. 2. Because the idols did not profit them: they could give no help in time of trouble. 3. Because it is the prerogative of God alone to give salvation. 4. Because they had no kind of prosperity since they had abandoned the worship of their Maker. And this was not only their case, but it was the case of their forefathers, who all suffered in consequence of their idolatry and disobedience. 5. These reasons are concluded with a hearty confession of sin, at the thought of which they are confounded; for the remembrance of their sin was grievous to them, and the burden was intolerable. This confession ended, God appears in the next chapter with gracious promises, and proper directions how they are to return, and how to conduct themselves in future.
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 3:22
22. God’s reply to the lamentation and expressions of repentance. The Hebrew is striking in its play on the word turn, Turn, ye turned children; I will heal your turnings. Cp. Jeremiah 3:6; Hosea 14:4.
Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 3:22
Yahweh’s answer to their prayer in Jeremiah 3:21 is immediately followed by their acceptance of the offer of divine mercy. For - Rather, because ... This profession of faith gives the reason why they return to Yahweh.
Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 3:22
22. Answering to this penitence is God’s gracious willingness to receive and pardon. The prophet echoes the divine invitation and promise.
Sermons on Jeremiah 3:22
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Stretch Out Your Hands to God's Will by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the troubled state of the world and the need for repentance. He refers to Daniel's prayer as an example of turning to God and seeking forgiv |
|
An Alarm to the Unconverted 4 of 5 by Joseph Alleine | In this sermon, Christ is calling upon the listeners to arise and take possession of the good land that is promised to them. The preacher encourages the audience to view the glory |
|
Living in Plan A by Teresa Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of holding onto God's word and having a deep relationship with Him. He highlights that many people struggle to grasp and inte |
|
Return From Backsliding by Kjell Olsen | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the first evil that God accuses his people of committing. He describes God as the exclusive fountain of living water and laments that his peop |
|
A Tender Heart by A.W. Pink | A.W. Pink emphasizes the significance of maintaining a tender heart, as highlighted in 2 Kings 22:19. He explains that while a tender heart is a divine gift, it requires diligent e |
|
Surely He Shall Deliver Thee From the Snare of the Fowler by C.H. Spurgeon | C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes God's dual deliverance from the snares of the fowler, illustrating that He protects His people from entering traps and also rescues them if they fall into |
|
|
Return From Backsliding by C.H. Spurgeon | C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the necessity of returning to God after experiencing the consequences of sin and backsliding. He highlights that sin can lead to spiritual ruin and that tr |