God’s ultimate plan is for His people to dwell with Him in profound intimacy, free from dependence on any artifact.
“It shall be in those days when you are multiplied and increased in the land,” declares the LORD, “they will no longer say, ‘The ark of the covenant of the LORD.’ And it will not come to mind, nor will they remember it, nor will they miss it, nor will it be made again.” (v.16). In this remarkable statement, the prophet Jeremiah—who ministered in the southern kingdom of Judah from roughly 626 to sometime after 586 BC—foretells a future day when the people of God will be so abundant and permanently settled that they will no longer depend on rituals or symbols to connect with the LORD. Here, he specifically mentions the Ark of the Covenant, once the sacred chest placed in the Most Holy Place (Exodus 25), carrying reminders of Israel’s covenant with God. Yet Jeremiah conveys that a time is coming when the nation will not even long for this cherished artifact because the LORD’s presence among them will surpass the need for that physical representation.
In speaking of the land, Jeremiah alludes to the territory historically granted to Israel, encompassing regions such as Judea and Samaria, which were (and still are) central to Israel’s identity. The Lord promises that in a coming era, Israel will flourish in that land to such a degree that the focus won’t be on maintaining relics from the past. By stating, “They will not come to mind, nor will they remember it, nor will they miss it” (v.16), the text indicates a shift away from a system reliant on symbols such as the Ark, pointing toward God’s more direct accessibility to His people. In the future, this direct fellowship with God is no longer bound within a single object. This theme resonates with New Testament teachings that announce the presence of God dwelling within believers through Christ (John 14:17) rather than residing in one sacred container.
Finally, when Jeremiah declares “nor will it (the Ark) be made again” (v.16), it underscores that God intends to transform the manner in which He relates to His people. Instead of people fervently searching for former tokens of divine favor, they will encounter a renewed spiritual reality. This foretells a deeper connection to the LORD, hinting toward the time when Jesus Himself becomes the center of worship (John 4:21). Taken together, Jeremiah 3:16 proclaims a hope-filled vision for the future, assuring that God’s presence transcends past practices and ancient objects.
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Jeremiah 3:16 meaning
“It shall be in those days when you are multiplied and increased in the land,” declares the LORD, “they will no longer say, ‘The ark of the covenant of the LORD.’ And it will not come to mind, nor will they remember it, nor will they miss it, nor will it be made again.” (v.16). In this remarkable statement, the prophet Jeremiah—who ministered in the southern kingdom of Judah from roughly 626 to sometime after 586 BC—foretells a future day when the people of God will be so abundant and permanently settled that they will no longer depend on rituals or symbols to connect with the LORD. Here, he specifically mentions the Ark of the Covenant, once the sacred chest placed in the Most Holy Place (Exodus 25), carrying reminders of Israel’s covenant with God. Yet Jeremiah conveys that a time is coming when the nation will not even long for this cherished artifact because the LORD’s presence among them will surpass the need for that physical representation.
In speaking of the land, Jeremiah alludes to the territory historically granted to Israel, encompassing regions such as Judea and Samaria, which were (and still are) central to Israel’s identity. The Lord promises that in a coming era, Israel will flourish in that land to such a degree that the focus won’t be on maintaining relics from the past. By stating, “They will not come to mind, nor will they remember it, nor will they miss it” (v.16), the text indicates a shift away from a system reliant on symbols such as the Ark, pointing toward God’s more direct accessibility to His people. In the future, this direct fellowship with God is no longer bound within a single object. This theme resonates with New Testament teachings that announce the presence of God dwelling within believers through Christ (John 14:17) rather than residing in one sacred container.
Finally, when Jeremiah declares “nor will it (the Ark) be made again” (v.16), it underscores that God intends to transform the manner in which He relates to His people. Instead of people fervently searching for former tokens of divine favor, they will encounter a renewed spiritual reality. This foretells a deeper connection to the LORD, hinting toward the time when Jesus Himself becomes the center of worship (John 4:21). Taken together, Jeremiah 3:16 proclaims a hope-filled vision for the future, assuring that God’s presence transcends past practices and ancient objects.