Jeremiah 3:14-15
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This verse highlights God's relentless grace, not just forgiving the entire nation, but specifically promising to gather even "one from a city, and two from a family." This emphasizes that God doesn't rely on mass movements; He actively seeks out and values individuals, even when the majority has strayed far from Him. It’s a profound picture of His commitment to restoring a remnant, demonstrating that His love and purpose can still touch lives one by one.
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. “‘And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God, through Jeremiah, calls back the "faithless children" of Israel to Himself. He reminds them of their intimate relationship with Him, comparing it to marriage, and emphasizes His enduring love despite their unfaithfulness. This verse promises that even if only a very few individuals from cities or families choose to return, God will graciously gather them and bring them back to a place of restoration, symbolized by Zion.
Imagine a marriage where one partner repeatedly breaks their vows. How does the other partner respond? God uses this intimate, yet broken, relationship to call His people back.
The verse declares, 'for I am your master' (or 'married unto you'). This isn't just a statement of ownership, but a profound picture of God's covenant relationship with Israel. He chose them, committed to them, much like a husband commits to his wife.
A Covenant Commitment
This 'marriage' speaks of God's unwavering faithfulness, even when His people, like an unfaithful spouse, turn away. Their repeated acts of idolatry and disobedience were akin to spiritual adultery. Yet, God doesn't sever the relationship in anger. Instead, He pleads for their return, reminding them of the vows He has kept and the love He still holds.
The Depth of God's Grace
This imagery highlights God's amazing grace. He doesn't just tolerate their unfaithfulness; He actively pursues reconciliation. The relationship, though strained and broken by their actions, remains the basis for His call to return. He longs for them to remember their commitment and come back to the intimacy they once shared.
When an entire nation turns away from God, is there any hope? This verse offers a specific, almost surprising, promise of restoration – not for everyone, but for a select few.
The Lord's call to 'Return, O faithless children' is met with a specific promise: 'I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.' This isn't a picture of mass conversion or a national revival in the immediate sense.
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A Deliberate Selection
God declares He will gather a remnant. The numbers 'one from a city, and two from a family' emphasize that even in the midst of widespread rebellion and apostasy, God would sovereignly preserve and draw out a faithful few.
The Destination: Zion
'And I will bring you to Zion' points to restoration and redemption. Historically, this referred to the return from Babylonian exile and rebuilding Jerusalem. Spiritually, it points to the ultimate gathering of God's people into His presence, His church (the New Jerusalem), and the heavenly Zion.
This promise is a testament to God's commitment to His covenant people, ensuring that even through judgment and exile, a remnant would be preserved and brought to Himself.
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.
ra'ah · Hebrew Noun/Verb
Leaders or rulers (literal or figurative) tasked with caring for, feeding, and protecting the people as a shepherd cares for a flock.
da'ath · Hebrew Noun
The cognitive and spiritual apprehension of God's truth, leading to personal application and obedience.
This passage speaks into the deep despair and devastation following the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, a pivotal moment when exile and loss felt like God's final judgment. Jeremiah's message, however, is one of astonishing hope, promising not only restoration but a renewal of relationship, even when only a 'remnant' returns.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Assyrian Exile
The northern kingdom of Israel (ten tribes) is conquered by the Assyrian Empire, and many of its inhabitants are exiled. This marks a significant scattering of the people and a profound national trauma.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Under Nebuchadnezzar II, the Babylonian Empire begins its campaigns against Judah. The first wave of exiles, including young nobles like Daniel, are taken to Babylon.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Following a rebellion, Jerusalem is besieged, and King Jehoiachin along with thousands of Judeans, including the prophet Ezekiel, are exiled to Babylon.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar razes Jerusalem and its Temple, carrying away many more people into Babylonian exile. This event is a devastating blow to Judah's identity and national life.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great's Edict
After conquering Babylon, Cyrus issues a decree allowing the exiled Judeans to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple.
c. 516 BC
Completion of the Second Temple
Under the leadership of figures like Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest, the Temple in Jerusalem is rebuilt, marking a significant moment of restoration for the returned exiles.
This passage echoes Jeremiah's message of a broken relationship, framing God's people as unfaithful but promising a future restoration and a multiplied people, much like Jeremiah's call to return and the promise of bringing them to Zion.
Isaiah 1:9Isaiah speaks of a remnant surviving destruction, similar to Jeremiah's 'one from a city, and two from a family,' highlighting that even in widespread unfaithfulness, God preserves a faithful few.
Romans 11:26This New Testament passage speaks of the future salvation of all Israel, offering a profound spiritual fulfillment to Jeremiah's promise of returning 'one from a city, and two from a family' to Zion.
Matthew 11:28Jesus' invitation to 'come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden' directly resonates with Jeremiah's call to return and the promise of being brought to Zion, representing a spiritual rest and home found in God.
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 God's relentless grace, not just forgiving the entire nation, but specifically promising to gather even "one from a city, and two from a family." This emphasizes that God doesn't rely on mass movements; He actively seeks out and values individuals, even when the majority has strayed far from Him. It’s a profound picture of His commitment to restoring a remnant, demonstrating that His love and purpose can still touch lives one by one.
God, through Jeremiah, calls back the "faithless children" of Israel to Himself. He reminds them of their intimate relationship with Him, comparing it to marriage, and emphasizes His enduring love despite their unfaithfulness. This verse promises that even if only a very few individuals from cities or families choose to return, God will graciously gather them and bring them back to a place of restoration, symbolized by Zion.
God, through Jeremiah, calls back the "faithless children" of Israel to Himself. He reminds them of their intimate relationship with Him, comparing it to marriage, and emphasizes His enduring love despite their unfaithfulness. This verse promises that even if only a very few individuals from cities or families choose to return, God will graciously gather them and bring them back to a place of restoration, symbolized by Zion.
"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. “‘And I will give…" — This verse highlights God's relentless grace, not just forgiving the entire nation, but specifically promising to gather even "one from a city, and two from a family." This emphasizes that God doesn'…
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Last reviewed October 2026
