Go, and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, “‘Return, faithless Israel, declares the LORD. I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful, declares the LORD; I will not be angry forever.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you" is a powerful expression, literally meaning God won't "cause his face to fall upon you." It’s not just about holding back wrath, but about God refusing to look upon them with displeasure, offering them a chance to be seen in a new light.
Go, and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, “‘Return, faithless Israel, declares the LORD. I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful, declares the LORD; I will not be angry forever.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jeremiah is commanded to proclaim a message of repentance and mercy, not to the people of Judah who are hearing the prophecy, but to the northern kingdom of Israel, which had already been carried into exile by the Assyrians. This message emphasizes God's willingness to forgive and cease His anger, highlighting His merciful nature, even after Israel's prolonged rebellion and the severe consequences they faced.
Why 'toward the north'? This wasn't just a geographical direction, but a profound statement about God's reach and the audience for His message.
The Direction of Hope
Jeremiah is commanded to proclaim God's words "toward the north." This points to the exiles of the northern kingdom of Israel, who had been carried away to Assyria and Media, regions lying north of Judah.
God calls Israel 'faithless' and 'backsliding,' yet His next words are not condemnation, but a stunning offer of mercy. How can this be?
The Heart of a Merciful God
The core of this passage is God's incredible response to Israel's unfaithfulness. Despite their repeated turning away, God declares, "Return, faithless Israel... I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful, and I will not be angry forever."
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Understand the original words
shub · Hebrew Verb
A turning back to God in repentance; a change of mind and direction from sin back to a state of obedience and covenant fidelity.
chasid · Hebrew Adjective
Compassionate, gracious, and tenderhearted; describing God's covenant loyalty and His withholding of deserved judgment.
Jeremiah is speaking to a Judah that has witnessed the destruction and exile of the northern kingdom of Israel. The message is a poignant plea for repentance, reminding them that God's mercy is still available, contrasting His enduring faithfulness with Israel's past unfaithfulness.
733 BC
Assyrian Conquest of Northern Israel
Tiglath-pileser III of Assyria invades the northern kingdom of Israel, capturing several cities and deporting a portion of the population. This marks a significant weakening of the northern kingdom.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Exile of Northern Tribes
Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, falls to the Assyrian king Shalmaneser V. The remaining Israelites are exiled to various parts of the Assyrian empire, primarily to Mesopotamia and Media.
c. 620 BC
Josiah's Reforms in Judah
King Josiah of Judah institutes widespread religious reforms, purging idolatry and centralizing worship in Jerusalem. This is a period of renewed faithfulness for Judah, contrasting with the exile of the northern tribes.
c. 609 BC
Death of Josiah
King Josiah is killed in battle at Megiddo while opposing Pharaoh Necho II of Egypt. His death plunges Judah into political instability and spiritual decline.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon conquers Judah and deports a group of the Judean elite, including the prophet Daniel, to Babylon. This is the first major blow leading to the eventual destruction of Jerusalem.
c. 597 BC— this verse
Second Deportation to Babylon
Following a rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar deports King Jehoiachin and another significant portion of Judah's population to Babylon. This is the context in which Jeremiah is prophesying about returning to God.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Third Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar's forces destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the remaining significant population to Babylon. This marks the end of the southern kingdom of Judah.
This passage echoes the sentiment of Jeremiah 3:12, showing God's internal struggle and ultimate mercy despite His people's persistent rebellion, highlighting His profound compassion.
Ezekiel 18:21-23These verses directly correlate with Jeremiah's message, presenting God's willingness to forgive and spare those who repent, emphasizing that His anger is not unending when individuals turn back to Him.
Exodus 34:6-7This foundational declaration of God's character, revealed to Moses, underpins the promise in Jeremiah 3:12 by showcasing God's core attributes of mercy, grace, and patience, even while acknowledging His justice.
Jeremiah 3:22Following the call to return, this verse directly picks up on Jeremiah 3:12's theme by urging faithless children to 'return' and reinforcing God's promise to heal their faithlessness, creating a powerful thematic link.
gillJeremiah 3:12: "Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever."
Go and proclaim these words towards the north,.... With his face thitherwards, towards Babylon, which lay north of Judea, and was the metropolis of Assyria, where the ten tribes were carried captive; and though they were dispersed in the cities of Media and…
calvinJeremiah 3:12: "Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever."
Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever.
Vade et clama (hoc est,…
The phrase "I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you" is a powerful expression, literally meaning God won't "cause his face to fall upon you." It’s not just about holding back wrath, but about God refusing to look upon them with displeasure, offering them a chance to be seen in a new light.
Jeremiah is commanded to proclaim a message of repentance and mercy, not to the people of Judah who are hearing the prophecy, but to the northern kingdom of Israel, which had already been carried into exile by the Assyrians. This message emphasizes God's willingness to forgive and cease His anger, highlighting His merciful nature, even after Israel's prolonged rebellion and the severe consequences they faced.
Jeremiah is commanded to proclaim a message of repentance and mercy, not to the people of Judah who are hearing the prophecy, but to the northern kingdom of Israel, which had already been carried into exile by the Assyrians. This message emphasizes God's willingness to forgive and cease His anger, highlighting His merciful nature, even after Israel's prolonged rebellion and the severe consequences they faced.
"Go, and proclaim these words toward the north, and say,
“‘Return, faithless Israel,
declares the LORD.
I will not look on you in anger,
for I am merciful,…" — The phrase "I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you" is a powerful expression, literally meaning God won't "cause his face to fall upon you." It’s not just about holding back wrath, but about Go…
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Last reviewed October 2026