Snow
Mountains
Mountains
Mountains
Mountains

Contact Us

TORAH
FIVE BOOKS OF MOSES
NEVI'IM
PROPHETS
KETUVIM
WRITINGS

Chapter 31

Translation and Transliteration of 

Listen to this chapter in Hebrew:

1Thus said Hashem: The people escaped from the sword, Found favor in the wilderness; When Yisrael was marching homeward

אכֹּה אָמַר יְהֹוָה מָצָא חֵן בַּמִּדְבָּר עַם שְׂרִידֵי חָרֶב הָלוֹךְ לְהַרְגִּיעוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל׃

2Hashem revealed Himself to me of old. Eternal love I conceived for you then; Therefore I continue My grace to you.

במֵרָחוֹק יְהֹוָה נִרְאָה לִי וְאַהֲבַת עוֹלָם אֲהַבְתִּיךְ עַל־כֵּן מְשַׁכְתִּיךְ חָסֶד׃

3I will build you firmly again, O Maiden Yisrael! Again you shall take up your timbrels And go forth to the rhythm of the dancers.

געוֹד אֶבְנֵךְ וְנִבְנֵית בְּתוּלַת יִשְׂרָאֵל עוֹד תַּעְדִּי תֻפַּיִךְ וְיָצָאת בִּמְחוֹל מְשַׂחֲקִים׃

4Again you shall plant vineyards On the hills of Shomron; Men shall plant and live to enjoy them.

OD ti-t'-EE kh'-ra-MEEM b'-ha-RAY sho-m'-RON na-t'-U no-t'-EEM v'-khi-LAY-lu

דעוֹד תִּטְּעִי כְרָמִים בְּהָרֵי שֹׁמְרוֹן נָטְעוּ נֹטְעִים וְחִלֵּלוּ׃

 31:4   Again you shall plant vineyards on the hills of Shomron

Logo for Israel’s Ministry of Tourism

Return of life to the Holy Land is symbolized by the rejuvenation of vineyards in Samaria, a miracle taking place today. Grapes and vineyards play a prominent role throughout Tanakh. The first cultivated plants mentioned in the Bible were grapevines: “Noach, the tiller of soil, was the first to plant a vineyard” (Genesis 9:20). Grapes are mentioned more than any other fruit in the entire Tanakh. When Moshe sent the 12 spies to scout out Eretz Yisrael, the book of Bamidbar (13:23) records that they returned with a sample of grapes that was so large it had to be carried on poles by strong men, an image used as the logo of Israel’s Ministry of Tourism. This honored fruit aslo plays a prominent role in Judaism, as Shabbat and Holiday meals begin with a blessing over a cup of wine.

5For the day is coming when watchmen Shall proclaim on the heights of Efraim: Come, let us go up to Tzion, To Hashem our God!

הכִּי יֶשׁ־יוֹם קָרְאוּ נֹצְרִים בְּהַר אֶפְרָיִם קוּמוּ וְנַעֲלֶה צִיּוֹן אֶל־יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ׃

6For thus said Hashem: Cry out in joy for Yaakov, Shout at the crossroads of the nations! Sing aloud in praise, and say: Save, Hashem, Your people, The remnant of Yisrael.

וכִּי־כֹה אָמַר יְהֹוָה רָנּוּ לְיַעֲקֹב שִׂמְחָה וְצַהֲלוּ בְּרֹאשׁ הַגּוֹיִם הַשְׁמִיעוּ הַלְלוּ וְאִמְרוּ הוֹשַׁע יְהֹוָה אֶת־עַמְּךָ אֵת שְׁאֵרִית יִשְׂרָאֵל׃

7I will bring them in from the northland, Gather them from the ends of the earth— The blind and the lame among them, Those with child and those in labor— In a vast throng they shall return here.

זהִנְנִי מֵבִיא אוֹתָם מֵאֶרֶץ צָפוֹן וְקִבַּצְתִּים מִיַּרְכְּתֵי־אָרֶץ בָּם עִוֵּר וּפִסֵּחַ הָרָה וְיֹלֶדֶת יַחְדָּו קָהָל גָּדוֹל יָשׁוּבוּ הֵנָּה׃

8They shall come with weeping, And with compassion will I guide them. I will lead them to streams of water, By a level road where they will not stumble. For I am ever a Father to Yisrael, Efraim is My first-born.

חבִּבְכִי יָבֹאוּ וּבְתַחֲנוּנִים אוֹבִילֵם אוֹלִיכֵם אֶל־נַחֲלֵי מַיִם בְּדֶרֶךְ יָשָׁר לֹא יִכָּשְׁלוּ בָּהּ כִּי־הָיִיתִי לְיִשְׂרָאֵל לְאָב וְאֶפְרַיִם בְּכֹרִי הוּא׃

9Hear the word of Hashem, O nations, And tell it in the isles afar. Say: He who scattered Yisrael will gather them, And will guard them as a shepherd his flock.

טשִׁמְעוּ דְבַר־יְהֹוָה גּוֹיִם וְהַגִּידוּ בָאִיִּים מִמֶּרְחָק וְאִמְרוּ מְזָרֵה יִשְׂרָאֵל יְקַבְּצֶנּוּ וּשְׁמָרוֹ כְּרֹעֶה עֶדְרוֹ׃

10For Hashem will ransom Yaakov, Redeem him from one too strong for him.

יכִּי־פָדָה יְהֹוָה אֶת־יַעֲקֹב וּגְאָלוֹ מִיַּד חָזָק מִמֶּנּוּ׃

11They shall come and shout on the heights of Tzion, Radiant over the bounty of Hashem— Over new grain and wine and oil, And over sheep and cattle. They shall fare like a watered garden, They shall never languish again.

יאוּבָאוּ וְרִנְּנוּ בִמְרוֹם־צִיּוֹן וְנָהֲרוּ אֶל־טוּב יְהֹוָה עַל־דָּגָן וְעַל־תִּירֹשׁ וְעַל־יִצְהָר וְעַל־בְּנֵי־צֹאן וּבָקָר וְהָיְתָה נַפְשָׁם כְּגַן רָוֶה וְלֹא־יוֹסִיפוּ לְדַאֲבָה עוֹד׃

12Then shall maidens dance gaily, Young men and old alike. I will turn their mourning to joy, I will comfort them and cheer them in their grief.

יבאָז תִּשְׂמַח בְּתוּלָה בְּמָחוֹל וּבַחֻרִים וּזְקֵנִים יַחְדָּו וְהָפַכְתִּי אֶבְלָם לְשָׂשׂוֹן וְנִחַמְתִּים וְשִׂמַּחְתִּים מִיגוֹנָם׃

13I will give the Kohanim their fill of fatness, And My people shall enjoy My full bounty —declares Hashem.

יגוְרִוֵּיתִי נֶפֶשׁ הַכֹּהֲנִים דָּשֶׁן וְעַמִּי אֶת־טוּבִי יִשְׂבָּעוּ נְאֻם־יְהֹוָה׃

14Thus said Hashem: A cry is heard in Rama— Wailing, bitter weeping— Rachel weeping for her children. She refuses to be comforted For her children, who are gone.

ידכֹּה אָמַר יְהֹוָה קוֹל בְּרָמָה נִשְׁמָע נְהִי בְּכִי תַמְרוּרִים רָחֵל מְבַכָּה עַל־בָּנֶיהָ מֵאֲנָה לְהִנָּחֵם עַל־בָּנֶיהָ כִּי אֵינֶנּוּ׃

15Thus said Hashem: Restrain your voice from weeping, Your eyes from shedding tears; For there is a reward for your labor —declares Hashem: They shall return from the enemy's land.

טוכֹּה אָמַר יְהֹוָה מִנְעִי קוֹלֵךְ מִבֶּכִי וְעֵינַיִךְ מִדִּמְעָה כִּי יֵשׁ שָׂכָר לִפְעֻלָּתֵךְ נְאֻם־יְהֹוָה וְשָׁבוּ מֵאֶרֶץ אוֹיֵב׃

16And there is hope for your future —declares Hashem: Your children shall return to their country.

v'-yaysh tik-VAH l'-a-kha-ree-TAYKH n'-um a-do-NAI v'-SHA-vu va-NEEM lig-vu-LAM

טזוְיֵשׁ־תִּקְוָה לְאַחֲרִיתֵךְ נְאֻם־יְהֹוָה וְשָׁבוּ בָנִים לִגְבוּלָם׃

 31:16  Your children shall return to their country  

Relatives of new immigrants holding a sign that says “your children shall return to their country”

In this moving passage, God speaks directly to the matriarch Rachel, who is known in Jewish tradition as having a special role in the redemption of her children, the Jewish people, and their return to Israel. According to Jewish tradition, when her father Laban gave her sister Leah to Yaakov in marriage in her stead, Rachel revealed to Leah a secret sign she had made with Yaakov in order to spare Leah from embarrassment. Because of Rachel’s unparalleled selflessness and love for her sister, it is Rachel’s prayers, tears and cries for compassion to her children that are heard by God more than any other biblical figure. God promises Rachel that those tears are not for naught, but rather “There is a reward for your labor” (verse 16) and “your children shall return to their country.” In a moving example of symbolism, this verse is often sung with emotion at Ben Gurion Airport as new Jewish immigrants arrive in Israel.

17I can hear Efraim lamenting: You have chastised me, and I am chastised Like a calf that has not been broken. Receive me back, let me return, For You, Hashem, are my God.

יזשָׁמוֹעַ שָׁמַעְתִּי אֶפְרַיִם מִתְנוֹדֵד יִסַּרְתַּנִי וָאִוָּסֵר כְּעֵגֶל לֹא לֻמָּד הֲשִׁיבֵנִי וְאָשׁוּבָה כִּי אַתָּה יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהָי׃

18Now that I have turned back, I am filled with remorse; Now that I am made aware, I strike my thigh. I am ashamed and humiliated, For I bear the disgrace of my youth.

יחכִּי־אַחֲרֵי שׁוּבִי נִחַמְתִּי וְאַחֲרֵי הִוָּדְעִי סָפַקְתִּי עַל־יָרֵךְ בֹּשְׁתִּי וְגַם־נִכְלַמְתִּי כִּי נָשָׂאתִי חֶרְפַּת נְעוּרָי׃

19Truly, Efraim is a dear son to Me, A child that is dandled! Whenever I have turned against him, My thoughts would dwell on him still. That is why My heart yearns for him; I will receive him back in love —declares Hashem.

יטהֲבֵן יַקִּיר לִי אֶפְרַיִם אִם יֶלֶד שַׁעֲשֻׁעִים כִּי־מִדֵּי דַבְּרִי בּוֹ זָכֹר אֶזְכְּרֶנּוּ עוֹד עַל־כֵּן הָמוּ מֵעַי לוֹ רַחֵם אֲ‍רַחֲמֶנּוּ נְאֻם־יְהֹוָה׃

20Erect markers, Set up signposts; Keep in mind the highway, The road that you traveled. Return, Maiden Yisrael! Return to these towns of yours!

כהַצִּיבִי לָךְ צִיֻּנִים שִׂמִי לָךְ תַּמְרוּרִים שִׁתִי לִבֵּךְ לַמְסִלָּה דֶּרֶךְ הלכתי [הָלָכְתְּ] שׁוּבִי בְּתוּלַת יִשְׂרָאֵל שֻׁבִי אֶל־עָרַיִךְ אֵלֶּה׃

21How long will you waver, O rebellious daughter? (For Hashem has created something new on earth: A woman courts a man.)

כאעַד־מָתַי תִּתְחַמָּקִין הַבַּת הַשּׁוֹבֵבָה כִּי־בָרָא יְהֹוָה חֲדָשָׁה בָּאָרֶץ נְקֵבָה תְּסוֹבֵב גָּבֶר׃

22Thus said the lord of Hosts, the God of Yisrael: They shall again say this in the land of Yehuda and in its towns, when I restore their fortunes: “Hashem bless you, Abode of righteousness, O holy mountain!”

כבכֹּה־אָמַר יְהֹוָה צְבָאוֹת אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל עוֹד יֹאמְרוּ אֶת־הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה בְּאֶרֶץ יְהוּדָה וּבְעָרָיו בְּשׁוּבִי אֶת־שְׁבוּתָם יְבָרֶכְךָ יְהֹוָה נְוֵה־צֶדֶק הַר הַקֹּדֶשׁ׃

23Yehuda and all its towns alike shall be inhabited by the farmers and such as move about with the flocks.

כגוְיָשְׁבוּ בָהּ יְהוּדָה וְכָל־עָרָיו יַחְדָּו אִכָּרִים וְנָסְעוּ בַּעֵדֶר׃

24For I will give the thirsty abundant drink, and satisfy all who languish.

כדכִּי הִרְוֵיתִי נֶפֶשׁ עֲיֵפָה וְכָל־נֶפֶשׁ דָּאֲבָה מִלֵּאתִי׃

25At this I awoke and looked about, and my sleep had been pleasant to me.

כהעַל־זֹאת הֱקִיצֹתִי וָאֶרְאֶה וּשְׁנָתִי עָרְבָה לִּי׃

26See, a time is coming—declares Hashem—when I will sow the House of Yisrael and the House of Yehuda with seed of men and seed of cattle;

כוהִנֵּה יָמִים בָּאִים נְאֻם־יְהֹוָה וְזָרַעְתִּי אֶת־בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאֶת־בֵּית יְהוּדָה זֶרַע אָדָם וְזֶרַע בְּהֵמָה׃

27and just as I was watchful over them to uproot and to pull down, to overthrow and to destroy and to bring disaster, so I will be watchful over them to build and to plant—declares Hashem.

כזוְהָיָה כַּאֲשֶׁר שָׁקַדְתִּי עֲלֵיהֶם לִנְתוֹשׁ וְלִנְתוֹץ וְלַהֲרֹס וּלְהַאֲבִיד וּלְהָרֵעַ כֵּן אֶשְׁקֹד עֲלֵיהֶם לִבְנוֹת וְלִנְטוֹעַ נְאֻם־יְהֹוָה׃

28In those days, they shall no longer say, “Parents have eaten sour grapes and children's teeth are blunted.”

כחבַּיָּמִים הָהֵם לֹא־יֹאמְרוּ עוֹד אָבוֹת אָכְלוּ בֹסֶר וְשִׁנֵּי בָנִים תִּקְהֶינָה׃

29But every one shall die for his own sins: whosoever eats sour grapes, his teeth shall be blunted.

כטכִּי אִם־אִישׁ בַּעֲוׂנוֹ יָמוּת כָּל־הָאָדָם הָאֹכֵל הַבֹּסֶר תִּקְהֶינָה שִׁנָּיו׃

30See, a time is coming—declares Hashem—when I will make a new covenant with the House of Yisrael and the House of Yehuda.

hi-NAY ya-MEEM ba-EEM n'-UM a-do-NAI v'-kha-ra-TEE et BAYT yis-ra-AYL v'-et BAYT y'-du-DAH b'-REET kha-da-SHAH

להִנֵּה יָמִים בָּאִים נְאֻם־יְהֹוָה וְכָרַתִּי אֶת־בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאֶת־בֵּית יְהוּדָה בְּרִית חֲדָשָׁה׃

31:30   I will make a new covenant

The Children of Israel were unfaithful to Hashem and were twice exiled from their land. Throughout the ages, they have experienced oppression and persecution. Yet, God promises that as long as the celestial bodies of heaven continue to function according to the divinely ordained laws of nature, Israel will continue to be His chosen people (verses 34-35). This verse confirms that God has not abandoned or replaced His people; the Nation of Israel will never be cast away from Hashem.

31It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers, when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, a covenant which they broke, though I espoused them—declares Hashem.

לאלֹא כַבְּרִית אֲשֶׁר כָּרַתִּי אֶת־אֲבוֹתָם בְּיוֹם הֶחֱזִיקִי בְיָדָם לְהוֹצִיאָם מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם אֲשֶׁר־הֵמָּה הֵפֵרוּ אֶת־בְּרִיתִי וְאָנֹכִי בָּעַלְתִּי בָם נְאֻם־יְהֹוָה׃

32But such is the covenant I will make with the House of Yisrael after these days—declares Hashem: I will put My Teaching into their inmost being and inscribe it upon their hearts. Then I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

לבכִּי זֹאת הַבְּרִית אֲשֶׁר אֶכְרֹת אֶת־בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל אַחֲרֵי הַיָּמִים הָהֵם נְאֻם־יְהֹוָה נָתַתִּי אֶת־תּוֹרָתִי בְּקִרְבָּם וְעַל־לִבָּם אֶכְתֲּבֶנָּה וְהָיִיתִי לָהֶם לֵאלֹהִים וְהֵמָּה יִהְיוּ־לִי לְעָם׃

33No longer will they need to teach one another and say to one another, “Heed Hashem”; for all of them, from the least of them to the greatest, shall heed Me—declares Hashem. For I will forgive their iniquities, And remember their sins no more.

לגוְלֹא יְלַמְּדוּ עוֹד אִישׁ אֶת־רֵעֵהוּ וְאִישׁ אֶת־אָחִיו לֵאמֹר דְּעוּ אֶת־יְהֹוָה כִּי־כוּלָּם יֵדְעוּ אוֹתִי לְמִקְטַנָּם וְעַד־גְּדוֹלָם נְאֻם־יְהֹוָה כִּי אֶסְלַח לַעֲוׂנָם וּלְחַטָּאתָם לֹא אֶזְכָּר־עוֹד׃

34Thus said Hashem, Who established the sun for light by day, The laws of moon and stars for light by night, Who stirs up the sea into roaring waves, Whose name is LORD of Hosts:

לדכֹּה אָמַר יְהֹוָה נֹתֵן שֶׁמֶשׁ לְאוֹר יוֹמָם חֻקֹּת יָרֵחַ וְכוֹכָבִים לְאוֹר לָיְלָה רֹגַע הַיָּם וַיֶּהֱמוּ גַלָּיו יְהֹוָה צְבָאוֹת שְׁמוֹ׃

35If these laws should ever be annulled by Me —declares Hashem— Only then would the offspring of Yisrael cease To be a nation before Me for all time.

להאִם־יָמֻשׁוּ הַחֻקִּים הָאֵלֶּה מִלְּפָנַי נְאֻם־יְהֹוָה גַּם זֶרַע יִשְׂרָאֵל יִשְׁבְּתוּ מִהְיוֹת גּוֹי לְפָנַי כָּל־הַיָּמִים׃

36Thus said Hashem: If the heavens above could be measured, and the foundations of the earth below could be fathomed, only then would I reject all the offspring of Yisrael for all that they have done—declares Hashem.

לוכֹּה אָמַר יְהֹוָה אִם־יִמַּדּוּ שָׁמַיִם מִלְמַעְלָה וְיֵחָקְרוּ מוֹסְדֵי־אֶרֶץ לְמָטָּה גַּם־אֲנִי אֶמְאַס בְּכָל־זֶרַע יִשְׂרָאֵל עַל־כָּל־אֲשֶׁר עָשׂוּ נְאֻם־יְהֹוָה׃

37See, a time is coming—declares Hashem—when the city shall be rebuilt for Hashem from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate;

לזהִנֵּה יָמִים [בָּאִים] נְאֻם־יְהֹוָה וְנִבְנְתָה הָעִיר לַיהֹוָה מִמִּגְדַּל חֲנַנְאֵל שַׁעַר הַפִּנָּה׃

38and the measuring line shall go straight out to the Gareb Hill, and then turn toward Goah.

לחוְיָצָא עוֹד קוה [קָו] הַמִּדָּה נֶגְדּוֹ עַל גִּבְעַת גָּרֵב וְנָסַב גֹּעָתָה׃

39And the entire Valley of the Corpses and Ashes, and all the fields as far as the Wadi Kidron, and the corner of the Horse Gate on the east, shall be holy to Hashem. They shall never again be uprooted or overthrown.

לטוְכָל־הָעֵמֶק הַפְּגָרִים וְהַדֶּשֶׁן וְכָל־השרמות [הַשְּׁדֵמוֹת] עַד־נַחַל קִדְרוֹן עַד־פִּנַּת שַׁעַר הַסּוּסִים מִזְרָחָה קֹדֶשׁ לַיהֹוָה לֹא־יִנָּתֵשׁ וְלֹא־יֵהָרֵס עוֹד לְעוֹלָם׃