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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Jeremiah 3:21 A 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/jeremiah/3-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/24_Jer_03_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Jeremiah 3:21 - Invitation to Repentance" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="A 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." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/jeremiah/3-21.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/jeremiah/3-21.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/jeremiah/">Jeremiah</a> > <a href="/jeremiah/3.htm">Chapter 3</a> > Verse 21</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/jeremiah/3-20.htm" title="Jeremiah 3:20">◄</a> Jeremiah 3:21 <a href="/jeremiah/3-22.htm" title="Jeremiah 3:22">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/3.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/jeremiah/3.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />A cry is heard on the barren heights, the weeping and pleading of the people of Israel, because they have perverted their ways and have forgotten the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Voices are heard high on the windswept mountains, the weeping and pleading of Israel’s people. For they have chosen crooked paths and have forgotten the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/jeremiah/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />A voice on the bare heights is heard, the weeping and pleading of Israel’s sons because they have perverted their way; they have forgotten the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />A 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />A voice was heard upon the high places, weeping <i>and</i> supplications of the children of Israel: for they have perverted their way, <i>and</i> they have forgotten the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />A voice was heard on the desolate heights, Weeping <i>and</i> supplications of the children of Israel. For they have perverted their way; They have forgotten the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />A voice is heard on the bare heights, The weeping, the pleading of the sons of Israel. Because they have perverted their way, They have forgotten the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />A voice is heard on the bare heights, The weeping and the supplications of the sons of Israel; Because they have perverted their way, They have forgotten the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />A voice is heard on the bare heights, The weeping <i>and</i> the supplications of the sons of Israel; Because they have perverted their way, They have forgotten the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/jeremiah/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />A voice is heard on the bare heights, The weeping <i>and</i> the supplications of the sons of Israel; Because they have perverted their way, They have forgotten Yahweh their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/jeremiah/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />A voice is heard on the barren heights, The weeping and pleading of the children of Israel, Because they have lost their way, They have [deliberately] forgotten the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/jeremiah/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A sound is heard on the barren heights: the children of Israel weeping and begging for mercy, for they have perverted their way; they have forgotten the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A sound is heard on the barren heights, the children of Israel weeping and begging for mercy, for they have perverted their way; they have forgotten the LORD their God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/jeremiah/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />A voice is heard upon the bare heights, the weeping and the supplications of the children of Israel; because they have perverted their way, they have forgotten Jehovah their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/jeremiah/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Listen to the noise on the hilltops! It's the people of Israel, weeping and begging me to answer their prayers. They forgot about me and chose the wrong path. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/jeremiah/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />A voice is heard upon the bare heights, the weeping and the supplications of the children of Israel; for that they have perverted their way, they have forgotten the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/jeremiah/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The sound of crying is heard on the hills. It is the crying and the pleading of the people of Israel. They have become crooked and have forgotten the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/jeremiah/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />A noise is heard on the hilltops: it is the people of Israel crying and pleading because they have lived sinful lives and have forgotten the LORD their God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/jeremiah/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"A voice is heard on the barren heights, the weeping and pleading of the children of Israel because they have perverted their way. They have forgotten the LORD their God."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/jeremiah/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"A noise is heard on the hilltops. It is the sound of the people of Israel crying and pleading to their gods. Indeed they have followed sinful ways; they have forgotten to be true to the LORD their God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/jeremiah/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />A voice is heard on the bare heights, the weeping and the petitions of the children of Israel; because they have perverted their way, they have forgotten the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/jeremiah/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />A voice was heard upon the high places, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel: for they have perverted their way, and they have forgotten the LORD their God.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/jeremiah/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />A 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/jeremiah/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />A voice is heard on the bare heights, the weeping and the petitions of the children of Israel; because they have perverted their way, they have forgotten Yahweh their God. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />A voice is heard on high places—weeping, "" Supplications of the sons of Israel, "" For they have made their way perverse, "" They have forgotten their God YHWH.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/jeremiah/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> A voice on high places is heard -- weeping, Supplications of the sons of Israel, For they have made perverse their way, They have forgotten Jehovah their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/jeremiah/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />A voice was heard upon the naked hills, weepings, supplications of the sons of Israel: for they perverted their way, they forgot Jehovah their God.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/jeremiah/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />A voice was heard in the highways, weeping and howling of the children of Israel: because they have made their way wicked, they have forgotten the Lord their God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />A voice has been heard in the highways, the weeping and wailing of the sons of Israel. For they have made their own ways sinful; they have forgotten the Lord their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/jeremiah/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />A cry is heard on the heights! the plaintive weeping of Israel’s children, Because they have perverted their way, they have forgotten the LORD, their God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />A voice on the bare heights is heard, the plaintive weeping of Israel’s children, because they have perverted their way, they have forgotten the LORD their God:<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />A voice was heard on the highways, the weeping and supplications of the children of Israel; for they have perverted their ways, and they have forsaken the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />A sound on the streets was heard, weeping and begging of the house of Israel, because they perverted their ways, and they forgot LORD JEHOVAH their God<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/jeremiah/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Hark! upon the high hills is heard The suppliant weeping of the children of Israel; For that they have perverted their way, They have forgotten the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/jeremiah/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />A voice from the lips was heard, <i>even</i> of weeping and supplication of the children of Israel: for they have dealt unrighteously in their ways, they have forgotten God their Holy One.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/jeremiah/3-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5k55c51ZGhs?start=912" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/3.htm">Invitation to Repentance</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">20</span>But as a woman may betray her husband, so you have betrayed Me, O house of Israel,” declares the LORD. <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6963.htm" title="6963: qō·wl (N-ms) -- Sound, voice. Or qol; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound.">A voice</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: niš·mā‘ (V-Nifal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">is heard</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on</a> <a href="/hebrew/8205.htm" title="8205: šə·p̄ā·yîm (N-mp) -- Bareness, a smooth or bare height. From shaphah; bareness; concretely, a bare hill or plain.">the barren heights,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">the children</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">of Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/1065.htm" title="1065: bə·ḵî (N-msc) -- A weeping. From bakah; a weeping; by analogy, a dripping.">weeping</a> <a href="/hebrew/8469.htm" title="8469: ṯa·ḥă·nū·nê (N-mpc) -- Supplication for favor. Or tachanuwnah; from chanan; earnest prayer.">and begging for mercy,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">because</a> <a href="/hebrew/5753.htm" title="5753: he·‘ĕw·wū (V-Hifil-Perf-3cp) -- To bend, twist. A primitive root; to crook, literally or figuratively.">they have perverted</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: dar·kām (N-csc:: 3mp) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">their ways</a> <a href="/hebrew/7911.htm" title="7911: šā·ḵə·ḥū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To forget. Or shakeach; a primitive root; to mislay, i.e. To be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention.">and forgotten</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hê·hem (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">their God.</a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>“Return, O faithless children, and I will heal your faithlessness.” “Here we are. We come to You, for You are the LORD our God.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/14-1.htm">Hosea 14:1-2</a></span><br />Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled by your iniquity. / Bring your confessions and return to the LORD. Say to Him: “Take away all our iniquity and receive us graciously, that we may present the fruit of our lips.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-6.htm">Isaiah 55:6-7</a></span><br />Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. / Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/2-12.htm">Joel 2:12-13</a></span><br />“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” / So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/18-30.htm">Ezekiel 18:30-32</a></span><br />Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall. / Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel? / For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/1-3.htm">Zechariah 1:3-4</a></span><br />So tell the people that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Return to Me, declares the LORD of Hosts, and I will return to you, says the LORD of Hosts.’ / Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets proclaimed that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Turn now from your evil ways and deeds.’ But they did not listen or pay attention to Me, declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/7-14.htm">2 Chronicles 7:14</a></span><br />and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/51-1.htm">Psalm 51:1-4</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. When Nathan the prophet came to him after his adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. / Wash me clean of my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. / For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-18.htm">Isaiah 1:18-20</a></span><br />“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool. / If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best of the land. / But if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/6-1.htm">Hosea 6:1</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-40.htm">Lamentations 3:40-41</a></span><br />Let us examine and test our ways, and turn back to the LORD. / Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/3-2.htm">Matthew 3:2</a></span><br />and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/15-18.htm">Luke 15:18-20</a></span><br />I will get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. / I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’ / So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/3-19.htm">Acts 3:19</a></span><br />Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/2-4.htm">Romans 2:4</a></span><br />Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/7-10.htm">2 Corinthians 7:10</a></span><br />Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">A voice was heard on the high places, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel: for they have perverted their way, and they have forgotten the LORD their God.</p><p class="hdg">a voice</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/30-15.htm">Jeremiah 30:15-17</a></b></br> Why criest thou for thine affliction? thy sorrow <i>is</i> incurable for the multitude of thine iniquity: <i>because</i> thy sins were increased, I have done these things unto thee… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/31-9.htm">Jeremiah 31:9,18-20</a></b></br> They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim <i>is</i> my firstborn… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/50-4.htm">Jeremiah 50:4,5</a></b></br> In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping: they shall go, and seek the LORD their God… </p><p class="hdg">for they have</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/22-32.htm">Numbers 22:32</a></b></br> And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because <i>thy</i> way is perverse before me:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/33-27.htm">Job 33:27</a></b></br> He looketh upon men, and <i>if any</i> say, I have sinned, and perverted <i>that which was</i> right, and it profited me not;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/10-9.htm">Proverbs 10:9</a></b></br> He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.</p><p class="hdg">and they have</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/2-32.htm">Jeremiah 2:32</a></b></br> Can a maid forget her ornaments, <i>or</i> a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/17-10.htm">Isaiah 17:10</a></b></br> Because thou hast forgotten the God of thy salvation, and hast not been mindful of the rock of thy strength, therefore shalt thou plant pleasant plants, and shalt set it with strange slips:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/23-35.htm">Ezekiel 23:35</a></b></br> Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast forgotten me, and cast me behind thy back, therefore bear thou also thy lewdness and thy whoredoms.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/3-2.htm">Bare</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-2.htm">Barren</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-19.htm">Children</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-4.htm">Cry</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-32.htm">Forgotten</a> <a href="/isaiah/66-6.htm">Hark</a> <a href="/isaiah/66-19.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-2.htm">Heights</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-6.htm">High</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-2.htm">Hills</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-2.htm">Hilltops</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-20.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-9.htm">Israel's</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-16.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-2.htm">Open</a> <a href="/isaiah/59-8.htm">Perverse</a> <a href="/isaiah/47-10.htm">Perverted</a> <a href="/psalms/143-1.htm">Petitions</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-2.htm">Places</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-7.htm">Pleading</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-15.htm">Prayers</a> <a href="/isaiah/65-19.htm">Sounding</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-22.htm">Supplications</a> <a href="/isaiah/59-6.htm">Twisted</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-13.htm">Voice</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-5.htm">Way</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-13.htm">Ways</a> <a href="/isaiah/65-19.htm">Weeping</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/4-11.htm">Bare</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-11.htm">Barren</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-22.htm">Children</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-5.htm">Cry</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-10.htm">Forgotten</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-15.htm">Hark</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-19.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-23.htm">Heights</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-11.htm">High</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-23.htm">Hills</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-11.htm">Hilltops</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-23.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-9.htm">Israel's</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-28.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-11.htm">Open</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-5.htm">Perverse</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-36.htm">Perverted</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-9.htm">Petitions</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-11.htm">Places</a> <a href="/jeremiah/38-26.htm">Pleading</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-16.htm">Prayers</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-15.htm">Sounding</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-9.htm">Supplications</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-5.htm">Twisted</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-25.htm">Voice</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-2.htm">Way</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-1.htm">Ways</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-8.htm">Weeping</a><div class="vheading2">Jeremiah 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/3-1.htm">God's great mercy to Judah the polluted land</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/3-6.htm">Judah is worse than Israel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/3-12.htm">The promises of the gospel to the penitent</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/3-20.htm">Israel reproved, and called by God, makes a solemn confession of their sins</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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These locations were typically elevated areas where altars to foreign gods were erected, contrary to God's command to worship Him alone. The voice heard here signifies a cry of distress and repentance, echoing the spiritual desolation that results from turning away from God. This imagery connects to other biblical passages where high places are associated with unfaithfulness (e.g., <a href="/2_kings/17-10.htm">2 Kings 17:10-11</a>).<p><b>the children of Israel weeping and begging for mercy</b><br>The weeping and pleading of the Israelites indicate a moment of realization and repentance. Historically, Israel's cycle of sin, judgment, and repentance is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament. This phrase reflects the deep sorrow and contrition of the people as they recognize their sins. It parallels other instances of national repentance, such as in the book of Nehemiah (<a href="/nehemiah/9.htm">Nehemiah 9:1-3</a>), where the Israelites confess their sins and seek God's forgiveness.<p><b>because they have perverted their ways</b><br>The term "perverted" suggests a deliberate deviation from the path of righteousness. Israel's ways were corrupted by idolatry and disobedience to God's laws. This phrase highlights the moral and spiritual corruption that had taken hold of the nation. The prophets frequently called out such perversion, urging the people to return to the covenantal path (<a href="/isaiah/1-4.htm">Isaiah 1:4</a>, <a href="/hosea/14.htm">Hosea 14:1</a>).<p><b>and forgotten the LORD their God</b><br>Forgetting God implies a willful neglect of His commandments and a failure to remember His past acts of deliverance and provision. This forgetfulness is not merely intellectual but involves a turning away of the heart. The call to remember God and His works is a central theme in Scripture, as seen in <a href="/deuteronomy/8-11.htm">Deuteronomy 8:11-14</a>, where the Israelites are warned not to forget the Lord after entering the Promised Land. This forgetfulness is contrasted with the faithfulness of God, who remains constant despite human unfaithfulness.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_children_of_israel.htm">The Children of Israel</a></b><br>The descendants of Jacob, also known as Israel, who were chosen by God to be His people. In this context, they are depicted as having strayed from God's commandments and are now in a state of repentance.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/b/barren_heights.htm">Barren Heights</a></b><br>These are elevated places often associated with idol worship in ancient Israel. The term signifies places of spiritual barrenness and unfaithfulness to God.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant God of Israel, who desires a relationship with His people and calls them back to faithfulness.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/w/weeping_and_pleading.htm">Weeping and Pleading</a></b><br>This represents the genuine sorrow and repentance of the Israelites as they recognize their sin and seek to return to God.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a></b><br>The prophet through whom God delivers this message. He is known for his role in calling Israel to repentance and warning them of the consequences of their unfaithfulness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_repentance.htm">The Call to Repentance</a></b><br>God continually calls His people to recognize their sin and return to Him. True repentance involves acknowledging our wrongs and seeking God's forgiveness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_forgetting_god.htm">The Consequences of Forgetting God</a></b><br>When we forget God and His commandments, we stray into spiritual barrenness. This passage reminds us of the importance of keeping God at the center of our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_readiness_to_forgive.htm">God's Readiness to Forgive</a></b><br>Despite Israel's unfaithfulness, God is willing to forgive and restore them. This demonstrates His enduring love and mercy.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_genuine_sorrow.htm">The Importance of Genuine Sorrow</a></b><br>The weeping and pleading of Israel show that genuine sorrow for sin is a crucial step in the process of repentance and restoration.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/returning_to_god_in_prayer.htm">Returning to God in Prayer</a></b><br>Just as the Israelites cried out to God, we too must approach Him in prayer, seeking His guidance and strength to walk in His ways.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_jeremiah_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_israel.htm">What does the Bible say about Israel in End Times?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_jer._3_12-14_show_limitless_mercy.htm">How does Jeremiah 3:12-14 depict limitless mercy when texts like 2 Kings 17:6-23 suggest God's patience eventually ran out?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_micah_2_3_vague_about_calamity.htm">Why does Micah 2:3 predict calamity without specifying verifiable events or a known historical timeline?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_god's_wrath_reconciled_with_love.htm">Psalm 21:8-10: How can the depiction of God's fiery wrath be reconciled with other scriptures portraying God as loving and merciful?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/jeremiah/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(21) <span class= "bld">A voice was heard.</span>--Yes, the guilty wife was there, but she was also penitent. The "high places" which had been the scene of the guilt of the sons of Israel, where the cries of their orgiastic worship had been heard, now echoed with their weeping and supplication (or, more literally, <span class= "ital">the weeping of suppliant prayers</span>)<span class= "ital">, </span>as they called to mind the hateful sins of the past.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/jeremiah/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - Another of those rapid transitions so common in emotional writing like Jeremiah's. The prophet cannot bear to dwell upon the backsliding of his people. He knows the elements of good which still survive, and by faith sees them developed, through the teaching of God's good providence, into a fruitful repentance. How graphic is the description! <span class="cmt_word">On the very high places</span> (or rather, <span class="accented">bare</span>, <span class="accented">treeless heights or downs</span>, as ver. 2) where a licentious idolatry used to be practiced, <span class="cmt_word">a sound is heard</span> (render so, not <span class="accented">was</span> heard) - the sound of the loud and audible weeping of an impulsive Eastern people (comp. <a href="/jeremiah/7-29.htm">Jeremiah 7:29</a>). <span class="cmt_word">For they have</span>; this evidently gives the reason of the bitter lamentation; render, <span class="accented">because they have</span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/3-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">A voice</span><br /><span class="heb">ק֚וֹל</span> <span class="translit">(qō·wl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6963.htm">Strong's 6963: </a> </span><span class="str2">A voice, sound</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is heard</span><br /><span class="heb">נִשְׁמָ֔ע</span> <span class="translit">(niš·mā‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear intelligently</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the barren heights,</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁפָיִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(šə·p̄ā·yîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8205.htm">Strong's 8205: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bareness, a smooth or bare height</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the children</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Israel</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">weeping</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּכִ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ḵî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1065.htm">Strong's 1065: </a> </span><span class="str2">A weeping, a dripping</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and begging for mercy,</span><br /><span class="heb">תַחֲנוּנֵ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(ṯa·ḥă·nū·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8469.htm">Strong's 8469: </a> </span><span class="str2">Supplication for favor</span><br /><br /><span class="word">because</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֤י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they have perverted</span><br /><span class="heb">הֶעֱוּוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(he·‘ĕw·wū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5753.htm">Strong's 5753: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bend, twist</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their ways</span><br /><span class="heb">דַּרְכָּ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(dar·kām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> </span><span class="str2">A road, a course of life, mode of action</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[and] forgotten</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁכְח֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(šā·ḵə·ḥū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7911.htm">Strong's 7911: </a> </span><span class="str2">To mislay, to be oblivious of, from want of memory, attention</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהֹוָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their God.</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהֵיהֶֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/3-21.htm">Jeremiah 3:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/3-21.htm">Jeremiah 3:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/jeremiah/3-21.htm">Jeremiah 3:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/3-21.htm">Jeremiah 3:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/3-21.htm">Jeremiah 3:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/3-21.htm">Jeremiah 3:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/3-21.htm">Jeremiah 3:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/3-21.htm">Jeremiah 3:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/3-21.htm">Jeremiah 3:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/jeremiah/3-21.htm">Jeremiah 3:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/jeremiah/3-21.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 3:21 A voice is heard on the bare (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/3-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 3:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 3:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/3-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 3:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 3:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>