^31:32It will not be like the old⁶⁹ covenant that I made with their ancestors⁷⁰ when I delivered them⁷¹ from Egypt. For they violated that covenant, even though I was like a faithful husband to them,”⁷² says the Lord.⁷³

Read in Logos

Footnotes

69 The word “old” is not in the text but is implicit in the use of the word “new.” It is supplied in the translation for greater clarity.
70 Heb “fathers.” This refers to the Mosaic covenant which the nation entered into with God at Sinai and renewed on the plains of Moab. The primary biblical passages explicating this covenant are Exod 19–24 and the book of Deuteronomy; see as well the study note on for the form this covenant took and its relation to the warnings of the prophets. The renewed document of Deuteronomy was written down and provisions made for periodic public reading and renewal of commitment to it (Deut 31:9–13). Josiah had done this after the discovery of the book of the law (which was either Deuteronomy or a synopsis of it) early in the ministry of Jeremiah (2 Kgs 23:1–4; the date would be near 622 b.c. shortly after Jeremiah began prophesying in 627 [see the note on ]). But it is apparent from Jeremiah’s confrontation with Judah after that time that the commitment of the people was only superficial (cf. Jer 3:10). The prior history of the nations of Israel and Judah and Judah’s current practice had been one of persistent violation of this covenant despite repeated warnings of the prophets that God would punish them for that (see especially Jer 7, 11). Because of that, Israel had been exiled (cf., e.g., Jer 3:8), and now Judah was threatened with the same (cf., e.g., Jer 7:15). Jer 30–31 look forward to a time when both Israel and Judah will be regathered, reunited, and under a new covenant which includes the same stipulations but with a different relationship (v. 32).
71 Heb “when I took them by the hand and led them out.”
72 Or “I was their master.” See the study note on . The metaphor of Yahweh as husband and Israel as wife has been used already in Jer 3 and is implicit in the repeated allusions to idolatry as spiritual adultery or prostitution. The best commentary on the faithfulness of God to his “husband-like” relation is seen in the book of Hosea, especially in Hos 1–3.
73 Heb “Oracle of the Lord.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

It will not be like the covenant

I made with their ancestors

when I took them by the hand

to lead them out of Egypt,

because they broke my covenant,

though I was a husband to them,”

declares the Lord.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

This one will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors on the day I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt—my covenant that they broke even though I am their master”—the Lord’s declaration.

NLTNew Living Translation

This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife,” says the Lord.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

not like the covenant that I made with their ancestors on the day of my grasping them by their hand, bringing them out from the land of Egypt, my covenant that they themselves broke, though I myself was a master over them,” declares Yahweh.

KJV 1900King James Version

Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers

In the day that I took them by the hand

To bring them out of the land of Egypt;

Which my covenant they brake,

Although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord:

Public Domain