Jeremiah 31:22
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The verse highlights a surprising reversal of roles: "a woman encircles a man." This isn't just about a physical act, but a radical inversion of expectations, where the seemingly weaker will actively protect or even overcome the stronger, a testament to God's power to bring about unprecedented change and strength.
How long will you waver, O faithless daughter? For the LORD has created a new thing on the earth: a woman encircles a man.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
God is addressing Israel, the "faithless daughter," who is hesitating and wavering about returning home after exile. To encourage them, God promises to do something unprecedented: a reversal of the expected order where a woman (representing Israel's weakness or perhaps a new era) will overcome or surround a man (representing their powerful oppressors or a new strength). This imagery is meant to signify a radical shift, a divine intervention that goes against all natural expectations.
Imagine being on the cusp of freedom, but hesitating to take the first step. Jeremiah's people are in this exact spot.
Jeremiah addresses Israel as the "backsliding daughter," a term that speaks volumes about their spiritual condition. They aren't just lost; they've actively turned away from God.
The "Going About"
The phrase "how long will you go about?" paints a picture of restless, indecisive movement. It’s not a calm journey but a wandering, perhaps seeking help from other nations instead of trusting God, or simply stalled by fear and doubt about returning home.
This hesitation is highlighted as a significant problem because God is about to do something incredible.
What does God consider a truly "new thing"? It's something so extraordinary it requires divine creation.
The core of this verse is God's declaration, "For the LORD has created a new thing on the earth: a woman encircles a man."
What is the "New Thing"?
This is where interpreters have debated! But the common thread is a profound reversal of the expected order, enabled by God's power.
Ask a follow-up
This image is famously debated. Is it a specific event, or a broader truth about God's intervention?
The phrase "a woman encircles a man" is rich with meaning and has sparked centuries of discussion.
Beyond the Literal
While some interpretations focus on a literal woman and man, the context suggests a deeper, symbolic truth:
Understand the original words
shobabah · Hebrew Adjective
A term used for God's covenant people when they have turned away from Him to follow idols. It denotes a breach of the covenant relationship, specifically highlighting the spiritual infidelity of the people toward their divine Husband.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God revealed to Israel. It signifies His eternal, self-existent nature and His unchanging faithfulness to the covenant promises made to His people.
This verse, spoken by Jeremiah during the intense trauma of the Babylonian exile, uses a bewildering image to offer a radical message of hope. The 'new thing' God is creating speaks to a future beyond current devastation, where weakness will somehow prevail over strength, a powerful foreshadowing of God's ultimate redemptive work.
Late 8th Century BC
Assyrian Captivity of Northern Kingdom
The Northern Kingdom of Israel (ten tribes) is largely deported by Assyria, marking a significant spiritual and national decline.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Judah and begins deporting its elite, including Daniel, marking the start of the Babylonian exile.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
A larger group of Judeans, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel, are exiled to Babylon.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple
Babylon destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the majority of the remaining population. This is the low point of Judah's national existence.
c. 580 BC
Jeremiah's Ministry and Prophecy
Jeremiah prophesies during the siege and destruction of Jerusalem, calling for repentance and offering a message of future hope and restoration.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great Captures Babylon
The Persian Empire under Cyrus conquers Babylon, paving the way for the exiled Jews to eventually return to Judah.
538 BC
Edict of Cyrus and Return of Exiles
Cyrus issues a decree allowing Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple.
This passage describes God doing a 'new thing' by making a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, which echoes Jeremiah's declaration of a 'new thing' being created by God.
Hosea 2:14-20Similar to Jeremiah's 'backsliding daughter' concept, Hosea uses the metaphor of an unfaithful wife (Gomer) to represent Israel's relationship with God, highlighting themes of restoration and renewed commitment.
Matthew 1:18-25This passage describes the miraculous conception of Jesus by the Holy Spirit in Mary, which some interpret as the 'new thing' where a woman encircles a man, referring to the virgin birth.
Zechariah 12:10This verse speaks of a future outpouring of the Spirit and a time when the people of Israel will look on Him whom they have pierced, crying out in repentance and mourning. This echoes the idea of a profound spiritual turnaround and a 'new thing' in the spiritual life of the nation.
Luke 1:35This verse explicitly states that the Holy Spirit will come upon Mary and the power of the Most High will overshadow her, a direct reference to the miraculous conception which many understand as the 'new thing' prophesied in Jeremiah.
pooleJeremiah 31:22: "How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the LORD hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man."
That the Jews are here meant by the backsliding daughter is out of question; but what going about is here intended is not so plain. Some interpret it of their running after idols; some, of their seeking help from foreign nations, instead of applying themselves unto God; others, of their wandering up and down in captivity. But the greater di…
clarkeJeremiah 31:22: "How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the LORD hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man."
A woman shall compass a man - נקבה תסובב גבר nekebah tesobeb gaber, "A weak woman shall compass or circumvent a strong man." This place has given much trouble to Biblical critics. By many Christian writers it is considered a prophecy of the miraculous conception of the holy virgin; but as I am sure no such meaning is in the words, nor in t…
The verse highlights a surprising reversal of roles: "a woman encircles a man." This isn't just about a physical act, but a radical inversion of expectations, where the seemingly weaker will actively protect or even overcome the stronger, a testament to God's power to bring about unprecedented change and strength.
God is addressing Israel, the "faithless daughter," who is hesitating and wavering about returning home after exile. To encourage them, God promises to do something unprecedented: a reversal of the expected order where a woman (representing Israel's weakness or perhaps a new era) will overcome or surround a man (representing their powerful oppressors or a new strength). This imagery is meant to signify a radical shift, a divine intervention that goes against all natural expectations.
God is addressing Israel, the "faithless daughter," who is hesitating and wavering about returning home after exile. To encourage them, God promises to do something unprecedented: a reversal of the expected order where a woman (representing Israel's weakness or perhaps a new era) will overcome or surround a man (representing their powerful oppressors or a new strength). This imagery is meant to signify a radical shift, a divine intervention that goes against all natural expectations.
"How long will you waver, O faithless daughter? For the LORD has created a new thing on the earth: a woman encircles a man.”" — The verse highlights a surprising reversal of roles: "a woman encircles a man." This isn't just about a physical act, but a radical inversion of expectations, where the seemingly weaker will actively…
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Last reviewed October 2026
