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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 3:14 "Return, O faithless children," declares the LORD, "for I am your master, and I will take you--one from a city and two from a family--and bring you to Zion.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/jeremiah/3-14.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/24_Jer_03_14.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Jeremiah 3:14 - Invitation to Repentance" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Return, O faithless children, declares the LORD, for I am your master, and I will take you--one from a city and two from a family--and bring you to Zion." /><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><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/3-14.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/3-14.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 14</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="/ad14.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/3-13.htm" title="Jeremiah 3:13">◄</a> Jeremiah 3:14 <a href="/jeremiah/3-15.htm" title="Jeremiah 3:15">►</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">Verse<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"><a href="/niv/jeremiah/3.htm">New International Version</a> &#8220Return, faithless people,&#8221 declares the LORD, &#8220for I am your husband. I will choose you—one from a town and two from a clan—and bring you to Zion. <a href="/nlt/jeremiah/3.htm">New Living Translation</a> “Return home, you wayward children,” says the LORD, “for I am your master. I will bring you back to the land of Israel— one from this town and two from that family— from wherever you are scattered. <a href="/esv/jeremiah/3.htm">English Standard Version</a> Return, O faithless children, declares the LORD; for I am your master; I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. <a href="/bsb/jeremiah/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “Return, O faithless children,” declares the LORD, “for I am your master, and I will take you—one from a city and two from a family—and bring you to Zion. <a href="/kjv/jeremiah/3.htm">King James Bible</a> Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion: <a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/3.htm">New King James Version</a> “Return, O backsliding children,” says the LORD; “for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. <a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> ‘Return, you faithless sons,’ declares the LORD; ‘For I am a master to you, And I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, And bring you to Zion.’ <a href="/nasb/jeremiah/3.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8216Return, O faithless sons,&#8217 declares the LORD; &#8216For I am a master to you, And I will take you one from a city and two from a family, And I will bring you to Zion.&#8217 <a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a> ‘Return, O faithless sons,’ declares the LORD; ‘For I am a master to you, And I will take you one from a city and two from a family, And I will bring you to Zion.’ <a href="/lsb/jeremiah/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> ‘Return, O faithless sons,’ declares Yahweh; ‘For I am a master to you, And I will take you one from a city and two from a family, And I will bring you to Zion.’ <a href="/amp/jeremiah/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a> ‘Return, O faithless children [of the twelve tribes],’ says the LORD, ‘For I am a master and husband to you, And I will take you [not as a nation, but individually]—one from a city and two from a [tribal] family— And I will bring you to Zion.’ <a href="/csb/jeremiah/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “ ‘Return, you faithless children —this is the LORD’s declaration—for I am your master, and I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. <a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> &#8220Return, you faithless children"—this is the LORD&#8217s declaration—"for I am your master, and I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. <a href="/asv/jeremiah/3.htm">American Standard Version</a> Return, O backsliding children, saith Jehovah; for I am a husband unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion. <a href="/cev/jeremiah/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> You are unfaithful children, but you belong to me. Come home! I'll take one or two of you from each town and clan and bring you to Zion. <a href="/erv/jeremiah/3.htm">English Revised Version</a> Return, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am a husband unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion: <a href="/gwt/jeremiah/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "Come back, you rebellious people," declares the LORD. "I'm your husband. I will take you, one from every city and two from every family, and bring you to Zion. <a href="/gnt/jeremiah/3.htm">Good News Translation</a> "Unfaithful people, come back; you belong to me. I will take one of you from each town and two from each clan, and I will bring you back to Mount Zion. <a href="/isv/jeremiah/3.htm">International Standard Version</a> "Return, unfaithful people," declares the LORD, "for I am your husband. I'll take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I'll bring you to Zion. <a href="/msb/jeremiah/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?Return, O faithless children,? declares the LORD, ?for I am your master, and I will take you?one from a city and two from a family?and bring you to Zion. <a href="/net/jeremiah/3.htm">NET Bible</a> "Come back to me, my wayward sons," says the LORD, "for I am your true master. If you do, I will take one of you from each town and two of you from each family group, and I will bring you back to Zion. <a href="/nheb/jeremiah/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> "Return, backsliding children," says the LORD; "for I am a husband to you. I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion. <a href="/wbt/jeremiah/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married to you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion: <a href="/web/jeremiah/3.htm">World English Bible</a> “Return, backsliding children,” says Yahweh, “for I am a husband to you. I will take one of you from a city, and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> “Return, O backsliding sons,” "" A declaration of YHWH. “For I have ruled over you, "" And taken you—one from a city, and two from a family, "" And have brought you to Zion, <a href="/ylt/jeremiah/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Turn back, O backsliding sons, An affirmation of Jehovah. For I have ruled over you, And taken you one of a city, and two of a family, And have brought you to Zion, <a href="/slt/jeremiah/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Turn back, ye sons having turned away, says Jehovah; for I was lord over you: and I took you one from a city and two from a family, and I brought you to Zion.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/jeremiah/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Return, O ye revolting children, saith the Lord: for I am your husband: and I will take you, one of a city, and two of a kindred, and will bring you into Sion. <a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Convert, O rebellious sons, says the Lord. For I am your leader. And so, I will take you, one from a city, and two from a family, and I will lead you into Zion. <a href="/nabre/jeremiah/3.htm">New American Bible</a> Return, rebellious children—oracle of the LORD— for I am your master; I will take you, one from a city, two from a clan, and bring you to Zion. <a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Return, O faithless children, says the LORD, for I am your master; I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Repent, O backsliding children, says the LORD; for I was pleased with you; and took one person of you from every town and two from every family, and I brought you to Zion. <a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Return, backslider children, says LORD JEHOVAH, for I was delighted with you and I led you each from a city and two from a family, and I brought you to Zion<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/jeremiah/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Return, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am a lord unto you, and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion; <a href="/sep/jeremiah/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Turn, ye children that have revolted, saith the Lord; for I will rule over you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you in to Sion: <a href="/parallel/jeremiah/3-14.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5k55c51ZGhs?start=819" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/3.htm">Invitation to Repentance</a> …13Only acknowledge your guilt, that you have rebelled against the LORD your God. You have scattered your favors to foreign gods under every green tree and have not obeyed My voice,’ ” declares the LORD. 14<a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: šū·ḇū (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">“Return,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7726.htm" title="7726: šō·w·ḇā·ḇîm (Adj-mp) -- Turning back, recusant, apostate. From shuwb; apostate, i.e. Idolatrous.">O faithless</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ḇā·nîm (N-mp) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">children,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/5002.htm" title="5002: nə·’um- (N-msc) -- Utterance. From na'am; an oracle.">declares</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/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">“for</a> <a href="/hebrew/595.htm" title="595: ’ā·nō·ḵî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Sometimes; a primitive pro. I.">I</a> <a href="/hebrew/1166.htm" title="1166: bā·‘al·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To marry, rule over. A primitive root; to be master; hence, to marry.">am your master,</a> <a href="/hebrew/ḇā·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: wə·lā·qaḥ·tî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-1cs) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">and I will take</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ·ḵem (DirObjM:: 2mp) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">you—</a> <a href="/hebrew/259.htm" title="259: ’e·ḥāḏ (Number-ms) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first.">one</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: mê·‘îr (Prep-m:: N-fs) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">from a city</a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: ū·šə·na·yim (Conj-w:: Number-md) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold.">and two</a> <a href="/hebrew/4940.htm" title="4940: mim·miš·pā·ḥāh (Prep-m:: N-fs) -- From shaphah; a family, i.e. Circle of relatives; figuratively, a class, a species or sort; by extens. A tribe or people.">from a family—</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: wə·hê·ḇê·ṯî (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjPerf-1cs) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">and bring</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ·ḵem (DirObjM:: 2mp) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">you</a> <a href="/hebrew/6726.htm" title="6726: ṣî·yō·wn (N-proper-fs) -- A mountain in Jer., also a name for Jer. The same as tsiyuwn; Tsijon, a mountain of Jerusalem.">to Zion.</a> 15Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/hosea/2-19.htm">Hosea 2:19-20</a> So I will betroth you to Me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in loving devotion and compassion. / And I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will know the LORD.” <a href="/isaiah/54-5.htm">Isaiah 54:5</a> For your husband is your Maker—the LORD of Hosts is His name—the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth. <a href="/ezekiel/16-8.htm">Ezekiel 16:8</a> Then I passed by and saw you, and you were indeed old enough for love. So I spread My cloak over you and covered your nakedness. I pledged Myself to you, entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine, declares the Lord GOD. <a href="/hosea/11-8.htm">Hosea 11:8-9</a> How could I give you up, O Ephraim? How could I surrender you, O Israel? How could I make you like Admah? How could I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within Me; My compassion is stirred! / I will not execute the full fury of My anger; I will not destroy Ephraim again. For I am God and not man—the Holy One among you—and I will not come in wrath. <a href="/isaiah/62-4.htm">Isaiah 62:4-5</a> No longer will you be called Forsaken, nor your land named Desolate; but you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the LORD will take delight in you, and your land will be His bride. / For as a young man marries a young woman, so your sons will marry you; and as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so your God will rejoice over you. <a href="/deuteronomy/7-6.htm">Deuteronomy 7:6</a> For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all peoples on the face of the earth. <a href="/2_corinthians/11-2.htm">2 Corinthians 11:2</a> I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. <a href="/romans/11-25.htm">Romans 11:25-26</a> I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not be conceited: A hardening in part has come to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. / And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will remove godlessness from Jacob. <a href="/ezekiel/36-24.htm">Ezekiel 36:24-28</a> For I will take you from among the nations and gather you out of all the countries, and I will bring you back into your own land. / I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols. / I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. ... <a href="/zechariah/8-7.htm">Zechariah 8:7-8</a> This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “I will save My people from the land of the east and from the land of the west. / I will bring them back to dwell in Jerusalem, where they will be My people, and I will be their faithful and righteous God.” <a href="/matthew/23-37.htm">Matthew 23:37</a> O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! <a href="/ephesians/5-25.htm">Ephesians 5:25-27</a> Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her / to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, / and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless. <a href="/isaiah/43-1.htm">Isaiah 43:1</a> But now, this is what the LORD says—He who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine! <a href="/john/10-16.htm">John 10:16</a> I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd. <a href="/isaiah/44-22.htm">Isaiah 44:22</a> I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud, and your sins like a mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Turn, O backsliding children, said the LORD; for I am married to you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:o backsliding<a href="/jeremiah/2-19.htm">Jeremiah 2:19</a> Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.for I am married<a href="/jeremiah/3-1.htm">Jeremiah 3:1,8</a> They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD… <a href="/jeremiah/2-2.htm">Jeremiah 2:2</a> Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown.<a href="/jeremiah/31-32.htm">Jeremiah 31:32</a> 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:one of a city<a href="/jeremiah/23-3.htm">Jeremiah 23:3</a> And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.<a href="/jeremiah/31-8.htm">Jeremiah 31:8-10</a> Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither… <a href="/isaiah/1-9.htm">Isaiah 1:9</a> Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/3-10.htm">Affirmation</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-12.htm">Backsliding</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-30.htm">Children</a> <a href="/isaiah/66-4.htm">Choose</a> <a href="/jeremiah/1-18.htm">City</a> <a href="/isaiah/60-22.htm">Clan</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-13.htm">Declares</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-12.htm">Faithless</a> <a href="/isaiah/46-3.htm">Family</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-1.htm">Husband</a> <a href="/isaiah/62-5.htm">Married</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-6.htm">Master</a> <a href="/isaiah/63-19.htm">Ruled</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-7.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-10.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/isaiah/66-8.htm">Zion</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/3-20.htm">Affirmation</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-22.htm">Backsliding</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-19.htm">Children</a> <a href="/jeremiah/33-24.htm">Choose</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-29.htm">City</a> <a href="/zechariah/12-12.htm">Clan</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-16.htm">Declares</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-20.htm">Faithless</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-18.htm">Family</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-20.htm">Husband</a> <a href="/hosea/1-3.htm">Married</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-18.htm">Master</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-32.htm">Ruled</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-19.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-22.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-6.htm">Zion</a><div class="vheading2">Jeremiah 3</div>1. <a href="/jeremiah/3-1.htm">God's great mercy to Judah the polluted land</a> 6. <a href="/jeremiah/3-6.htm">Judah is worse than Israel</a> 12. <a href="/jeremiah/3-12.htm">The promises of the gospel to the penitent</a> 20. <a href="/jeremiah/3-20.htm">Israel reproved, and called by God, makes a solemn confession of their sins</a> </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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/jeremiah/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Return, O faithless children, This call to return is a recurring theme in the prophetic books, emphasizing God's desire for repentance and restoration. The term "faithless children" highlights Israel's unfaithfulness, akin to a wayward spouse, reflecting the covenant relationship between God and Israel. This imagery is consistent with the broader biblical narrative where God is portrayed as a faithful husband to His people (<a href="/hosea/2-19.htm">Hosea 2:19-20</a>).declares the LORD, The phrase underscores the authority and sovereignty of God. It is a divine proclamation, emphasizing that the message is not from the prophet's own mind but from God Himself. This is a common prophetic formula, reinforcing the seriousness and authenticity of the message.for I am your master, The Hebrew word used here can also mean "husband," reinforcing the covenantal relationship. This reflects the cultural context of ancient Israel, where marriage was a binding covenant, symbolizing God's commitment to His people. It also points to the New Testament understanding of Christ as the bridegroom (<a href="/ephesians/5-25.htm">Ephesians 5:25-27</a>).and I will take you—one from a city and two from a family— This phrase suggests a selective gathering, indicating that not all will respond to the call to return. It reflects the remnant theology found throughout the Bible, where a faithful few are preserved (<a href="/isaiah/10-20.htm">Isaiah 10:20-22</a>). The numbers "one" and "two" signify a small, faithful remnant, emphasizing the personal nature of God's call.and bring you to Zion. Zion is a significant biblical location, often symbolizing the presence of God and the ultimate place of restoration and peace. In the historical context, Zion refers to Jerusalem, the center of worship and the Davidic kingdom. Prophetically, it points to the eschatological hope of a restored relationship with God, fulfilled in the New Jerusalem (<a href="/revelation/21-2.htm">Revelation 21:2-3</a>). This promise of return to Zion is a type of the ultimate gathering of God's people through Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a> The covenant God of Israel, who calls His people to return to Him despite their unfaithfulness. 2. <a href="/topical/f/faithless_children.htm">Faithless Children</a> Refers to the people of Israel who have turned away from God, engaging in idolatry and breaking the covenant. 3. <a href="/topical/z/zion.htm">Zion</a> A term often used to refer to Jerusalem, symbolizing the spiritual center and the place of God's presence and blessing. 4. <a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a> The prophet through whom God delivers this message, known for his role in calling Israel to repentance. 5. <a href="/topical/i/israel's_apostasy.htm">Israel's Apostasy</a> The event of Israel turning away from God, which is the context for this call to return.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_unfailing_love.htm">God's Unfailing Love</a> Despite Israel's unfaithfulness, God remains committed to His people, demonstrating His steadfast love and desire for their return. <a href="/topical/c/call_to_repentance.htm">Call to Repentance</a> The call to "return" is a call to repentance, a turning away from sin and back to God, which is essential for spiritual restoration. <a href="/topical/i/individual_responsibility.htm">Individual Responsibility</a> The phrase "one from a city and two from a family" highlights that returning to God is a personal decision, not just a corporate one. <a href="/topical/g/god_as_master.htm">God as Master</a> Recognizing God as "Master" implies submission to His authority and acknowledgment of His rightful place in our lives. <a href="/topical/p/promise_of_restoration.htm">Promise of Restoration</a> God's promise to bring His people to Zion signifies not just physical return but spiritual renewal and blessing.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_jeremiah_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 3</a> <a href="/q/why_were_babies_killed_in_the_flood.htm">Does God actively seek a relationship with us?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_backsliding.htm">What does the Bible say about backsliding?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_a_christian_wedding.htm">What defines a Christian wedding ceremony?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'betroth_you_forever'_mean.htm">What does "I will betroth you to me forever" mean?</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>(14) Turn, O backsliding children.--In his desire to individualise his call to repentance, the prophet drops his parable, or rather combines the sign and the thing signified, with the same assonance as before--turn back, ye children who have turned away.I am married unto you.--The tender pity of Jehovah leads Him to offer pardon even to the adulterous wife. Jeremiah had learned, in all their fulness, the lessons of Hosea 1-3.One of a city, and two of a family.--The latter word is the wider in its range of the two--a clan, or tribe, that might embrace many cities. The limitation to the "one" and the "two" is after the manner of Isaiah's reference (<a href="/isaiah/1-9.htm" title="Except the LORD of hosts had left to us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like to Gomorrah.">Isaiah 1:9</a>) to the "remnant" that should be saved, and reminds of the "ten righteous men" who might have saved the cities of the plain (<a href="/genesis/18-32.htm" title="And he said, Oh let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake.">Genesis 18:32</a>).<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/jeremiah/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 14. - Turn, O backsliding children. There is a play upon words, or rather upon senses, in the original, "Turn, ye turned away ones" (comp. ver. 12). To whom is this addressed? To the Israelites in the narrower sense, for there is nothing to indicate a transition. Long as they have been removed from the paternal hearth, they are still "sons." For I am married unto you. The same Hebrew phrase occurs in <a href="/jeremiah/31-32.htm">Jeremiah 31:32</a>. Its signification has been a subject of dispute. From the supposed necessities of exegesis in <a href="/jeremiah/31-32.htm">Jeremiah 31:32</a>, some (e.g. Pococke and Gesenins) have translated, "for I have rejected you," but the connection requires not "for" but "though," which, however, is an inadmissible rendering; besides, the Hebrew verb in question nowhere has the sense of "reject" elsewhere (yet the Septuagint already has it, virtually at least, in <a href="/jeremiah/31-32.htm">Jeremiah 31:32</a>, q.v.). The literal meaning is for I have been a lord over you, i.e. a husband. Israel is despondent, and fears to return. Jehovah repeats his invitation, assuring Israel that he does not regard the marriage bond as broken. He is still (in spite of ver. 8) the husband, and Israel the bride (comp. <a href="/hosea/2.htm">Hosea 2</a>; <a href="/isaiah/1-1.htm">Isaiah 1:1</a>; <a href="/isaiah/54-6.htm">Isaiah 54:6</a>, etc.). One of a city, and two of a family. The promises of God are primarily to communities, but this does not prevent him from devoting the most special care to individuals. "One of a city, and two of a family," even though there should be but one faithful Lot in a city, and two such in a family (larger than a city, a single tribe containing only a few mishpa-khoth, or clans), yet I will admit these few to the promised blessings." Calvin's remark is worth noticing: "Hie locus dignus est observatu, quia ostendit Deus non esse, cur alii alios expectent; deinde etiam si corpus ipsum populi putreseat in suis peccatis, tamen si pauci ad ipsum redeant, se illis etiam fore placabilem." The historical facts to which the prophecy corresponds are variously regarded. Theodoret, Grotius, etc., suppose it to have been fulfilled exclusively in the return from Babylon; St. Jerome and others think rather of the Messianic period. Hengstenberg finds a continuous fulfillment, beginning at the time of Cyrus, when many belonging to the ten tribes joined themselves to the returning Judahites. He finds a further continuation in the times of the Maccabees, and in fact a continually growing fulfillment in preparation for that complete one brought in by Christ, when the premised blessings were poured out upon the whole δωδεκάφυλον (<a href="/luke/2-36.htm">Luke 2:36</a>). "Zion and the holy land were at that time the seat of the kingdom of God, so that the return to the latter was inseparable from the return to the former." Dr. Guthe, however, the latest critical commentator on Jeremiah, thinks that the passage can be explained otherwise, viz." from each city one by one, and from each family two by two." This gives a more obvious explanation; but the ordinary rendering is more natural, and the explanation based upon it is in the highest degree worthy of the Divine subject. The doubt, of course, is whether in the Old Testament a special providence is extended elsewhere so distinctly to the individual. But Jeremiah is pre-eminently an individualizing prophet; he feels the depth and reality of individual as opposed to corporate life as no one else among the prophets. (At any rate, one point is clear, that the prophet foresees that the number of the exiles who return will be but small compared with the increase to be divinely vouchsafed to them; see ver. 16.) <a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/3-14.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>“Return, שׁ֣וּבוּ (šū·ḇū) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> To turn back, in, to retreat, again O faithless שׁוֹבָבִים֙ (šō·w·ḇā·ḇîm) Adjective - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7726.htm">Strong's 7726: </a> Turning back, recusant, apostate children,” בָנִ֤ים (ḇā·nîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son declares נְאֻם־ (nə·’um-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5002.htm">Strong's 5002: </a> An oracle the LORD, יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel “for כִּ֥י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction I אָנֹכִ֖י (’ā·nō·ḵî) Pronoun - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_595.htm">Strong's 595: </a> I am your master, בָּעַ֣לְתִּי (bā·‘al·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1166.htm">Strong's 1166: </a> To be master, to marry and I will take וְלָקַחְתִּ֨י (wə·lā·qaḥ·tî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> To take you— אֶתְכֶ֜ם (’eṯ·ḵem) Direct object marker | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> Untranslatable mark of the accusative case one אֶחָ֣ד (’e·ḥāḏ) Number - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_259.htm">Strong's 259: </a> United, one, first from a city מֵעִ֗יר (mê·‘îr) Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> Excitement and two וּשְׁנַ֙יִם֙ (ū·šə·na·yim) Conjunctive waw | Number - md <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8147.htm">Strong's 8147: </a> Two (a cardinal number) from a family— מִמִּשְׁפָּחָ֔ה (mim·miš·pā·ḥāh) Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4940.htm">Strong's 4940: </a> A family, circle of relatives, a class, a species, sort, a tribe, people and bring וְהֵבֵאתִ֥י (wə·hê·ḇê·ṯî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go you אֶתְכֶ֖ם (’eṯ·ḵem) Direct object marker | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> Untranslatable mark of the accusative case to Zion. צִיּֽוֹן׃ (ṣî·yō·wn) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6726.htm">Strong's 6726: </a> Zion -- a mountain in Jerusalem, also a name for Jerusalem <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/3-14.htm">Jeremiah 3:14 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/jeremiah/3-14.htm">Jeremiah 3:14 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/jeremiah/3-14.htm">Jeremiah 3:14 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/jeremiah/3-14.htm">Jeremiah 3:14 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/jeremiah/3-14.htm">Jeremiah 3:14 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/3-14.htm">Jeremiah 3:14 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/3-14.htm">Jeremiah 3:14 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/3-14.htm">Jeremiah 3:14 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/3-14.htm">Jeremiah 3:14 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/jeremiah/3-14.htm">Jeremiah 3:14 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-14.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 3:14 Return backsliding children says Yahweh (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/3-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 3:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 3:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/3-15.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 3:15"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 3:15" /></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>