Jeremiah 31:21-23

Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

²¹Set up for yourselves highway markers [back to Canaan], make for yourselves guideposts; turn your thoughts and attention to the way by which you went [into exile]. Retrace your steps, O Virgin Israel, return to these your cities.

²²How long will you waver and hesitate [to return], O you backsliding daughter? For the Lord has created a ^[a]new thing in the land [of Israel]: a female shall compass (woo, win, and protect) a man.

²³Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Once more they shall use these words in the land of Judah and in her cities when I release them from exile: The Lord bless you, O habitation of justice and righteousness, O holy mountain!

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Footnotes

Jeremiah 31:22 The early church fathers believed this passage had reference to the mystery of Christ’s incarnation, but that interpretation is now generally rejected for various reasons. It is sufficient to say that the word “female” here used for “woman” absolutely excludes the idea that this refers to the virgin birth (for this was to be a “new thing”). To “compass” is to woo and win. That the early translators attached that meaning to it is clear from the fact that Shakespeare, their contemporary, so used it (Charles Ellicott, A Bible Commentary). Probably the implication is that Israel, the erring but deeply penitent wife, instead of going about after other lovers will devote herself to winning back and being worthy of the love of her divine Husband and Lord, Who had rejected her.