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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse highlights that God's saving grace is not limited to a sweeping national repentance; He specifically seeks out individuals, "one from a city and two from a family," showing His personal and persistent pursuit even when few respond. It underscores that God's covenant relationship, described as a marriage, endures through unfaithfulness, and He actively gathers even the scattered remnants to bring them back to Himself.
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage comes right after God has declared that Israel has committed adultery against Him through their idolatry. Despite this profound betrayal, God pleads with them to return, emphasizing the enduring, covenantal relationship He has as their "husband" and Master. He promises that even if only a few individuals from scattered cities and families turn back to Him, He will gather them and bring them to Zion, His holy dwelling place.
Israel's unfaithfulness is called 'adultery' in Scripture. Yet, God uses the intimate imagery of marriage to plead for their return. How can a marriage survive such betrayal?
Jeremiah 3:14 opens with a powerful call: 'Return, O faithless children.' This isn't just a casual invitation; it's a plea rooted in a deep, covenantal relationship. God declares, 'for I am your master' (or, 'I am married unto you,' as some translations render it). This 'marriage' signifies God's covenant with Israel. Even though Israel repeatedly broke faith, acting like an unfaithful spouse, God's commitment remained. He isn't just their ruler; He is their husband. This imagery emphasizes God's deep affection, His enduring commitment, and His right to call them back. It highlights that His faithfulness is not dependent on theirs, but on His own unchanging nature and promises.
When a whole nation turns away, what hope is there? God's promise of return isn't for a massive crowd, but for a select, scattered few. What does this tell us about His grace?
The verse continues with a remarkable detail: 'I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.' This phrase highlights the selective, yet certain, nature of God's restorative grace. Even amidst widespread apostasy, God would not forget those who were His. He wouldn't wait for a whole city or family to repent; He would seek out the scattered individuals. This imagery speaks to God's personal pursuit of His people, ensuring that even the smallest remnant would be gathered. It reassures us that God's plan of salvation isn't dependent on mass movements but on His deliberate, specific drawing of individuals to Himself, ultimately leading them to the place of His presence and worship – Zion.
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Understand the original words
baal · Hebrew Noun
A Hebrew term often translated as 'husband' or 'master/lord'; in a covenant context, it denotes God’s authority over His people as their protective, though rightfully demanding, protector.
Tsiyyon · Hebrew Noun
The holy hill in Jerusalem, often symbolizing the place of God's presence, the site of the temple, and the hope of restoration for the people of God.
This verse, spoken during Judah's spiritual decline and impending exile, echoes the devastating loss of the northern kingdom. God's call to 'return' and the promise of a select remnant returning to Zion highlights His enduring covenant love and His plan for future restoration, even after profound judgment.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, exiling many of its inhabitants and scattering them throughout the empire. This event left Judah as the sole remaining kingdom of Israel.
c. 627 BC - 586 BC— this verse
Jeremiah's Prophetic Ministry
Jeremiah prophesies during a tumultuous period in Judah, warning of impending judgment due to the people's unfaithfulness and idolatry, while also offering messages of hope and future restoration.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Judah and begins deporting elites, including young nobles like Daniel, to Babylon. This marks the start of Judah's Babylonian exile.
597 BC
Second Babylonian Deportation
Babylon deports more Judeans, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel, following a revolt. Jerusalem's temple is desecrated.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar utterly destroys Jerusalem and its magnificent Temple, exiling the majority of the remaining population to Babylon. This is a devastating blow to Judah's national and religious identity.
538 BC
Edict of Cyrus and Return from Exile
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon and issues an edict allowing exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands. This begins the gradual return and rebuilding process.
This passage vividly describes God's relationship with Israel using the metaphor of marriage, just as Jeremiah 3:14 does, highlighting both their unfaithfulness and God's persistent, loving pursuit of them.
Isaiah 1:9Isaiah, like Jeremiah, speaks of a remnant that will be spared from destruction, echoing the idea in Jeremiah 3:14 that even if only 'one from a city and two from a family' return, God will save them.
Jeremiah 3:22This verse directly follows Jeremiah 3:14 and acts as a direct response to God's call to return, showing the people's continued backsliding before they eventually heed the call.
Romans 11:26Paul quotes and interprets Isaiah 59:20 ('the Deliverer will come from Zion') in a way that spiritualizes the 'return to Zion' concept, suggesting a future, complete salvation for Israel that aligns with the ultimate fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy.
Ezekiel 36:24-28This prophecy describes God taking scattered people, cleansing them, giving them a new heart, and bringing them back to their land, paralleling the promise of restoration and spiritual renewal found in Jeremiah 3:14.
barnesJeremiah 3:14: "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:"
Children ... married - The twofold relationship gives a double certainty of acceptance. As children, they were sure of a father's love, as a wife they might hope for a revival of past affection from the husband of their youth. One of a city, and two of a family - The family (in Hebrew) is far larger than a city, as it emb…
gillJeremiah 3:14: "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:"
Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord,.... All of them were children by national adoption, and some by special grace, and yet "backsliders", O monstrous ingratitude! "backsliders", and yet "children", still the relation continues, O marvellous grace! God's own children may backslide, and often do; either in heart,…
This verse highlights that God's saving grace is not limited to a sweeping national repentance; He specifically seeks out individuals, "one from a city and two from a family," showing His personal and persistent pursuit even when few respond. It underscores that God's covenant relationship, described as a marriage, endures through unfaithfulness, and He actively gathers even the scattered remnants to bring them back to Himself.
This passage comes right after God has declared that Israel has committed adultery against Him through their idolatry. Despite this profound betrayal, God pleads with them to return, emphasizing the enduring, covenantal relationship He has as their "husband" and Master. He promises that even if only a few individuals from scattered cities and families turn back to Him, He will gather them and bring them to Zion, His holy dwelling place.
This passage comes right after God has declared that Israel has committed adultery against Him through their idolatry. Despite this profound betrayal, God pleads with them to return, emphasizing the enduring, covenantal relationship He has as their "husband" and Master. He promises that even if only a few individuals from scattered cities and families turn back to Him, He will gather them and bring them to Zion, His holy dwelling place.
"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." — This verse highlights that God's saving grace is not limited to a sweeping national repentance; He specifically seeks out individuals, "one from a city and two from a family," showing His personal an…
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Last reviewed October 2026