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Book of Jeremiah - Chapter 31 - Verse 21

31:21
Set thee up waymarks, make thee high heaps: set thine heart toward the highway, even the way which thou wentest: turn again, O virgin of Israel, turn again to these thy cities.

Meaning

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is urging the people of Israel to set up waymarks and high heaps to guide them back to the right path. These physical markers would serve as reminders of the way they should go, leading them back to the cities they once inhabited. The symbolic meaning behind this instruction is to encourage the people to remember their roots and heritage, to retrace their steps and return to the ways of God. By setting their hearts toward the highway they went before, the people are called to repentance and a return to the familiar paths of righteousness. The metaphorical use of "virgin of Israel" emphasizes the purity and innocence that the people are being called back to, highlighting the need for spiritual renewal and restoration. Ultimately, this verse serves as a call to return to God and the values and principles that once guided the nation of Israel, reminding them of the importance of staying true to their faith and heritage.

Theological Overview

In this verse from the book of Jeremiah, the prophet urges the people of Israel to reflect on their past and retrace their steps back to their ancestral cities. The use of terms like "waymarks" and "high heaps" suggests a physical and tangible reminder of the paths they have taken. Through these markers, they are encouraged to set their hearts towards the right path, the highway they once followed. The plea for the "virgin of Israel" to return to her cities can be seen as a call to repentance and a return to their roots as God's chosen people. The term "virgin" here could symbolize purity and innocence, highlighting the need for the people to turn back to their original state of devotion and faithfulness to God. This verse emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, repentance, and a recommitment to their covenant with God.

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