Komentaryong Sumisipi para sa Jeremias 3:16

Rabbeinu Chananel explains that the name Israel which G’d bestowed on Yaakov was in addition to the name Yaakov which Yaakov retained. The word עוד in our verse means “only, exclusively.” The correct translation of our verse is: “your name will no longer be Yaakov exclusively, but your name will (also) be Israel.” We find something analogous to this in Jeremiah 3,16 לא יאמרו עוד ארון ברית ה’, “they will no longer refer to the ark of G’d as the only location where G’d can be found, etc.” but the whole of Jerusalem will be so designated.” They will refer to the whole of Jerusalem as כסא ה’, “the throne of the Lord.” Similarly, here; the words כי אם ישראל יהיה שמך, “but Israel shall be your name, i.e. sometimes you will be referred to as “Yaakov,” other times as “Israel.” This is precisely what the prophet had in mind in Isaiah שמע אלי יעקב, ישראל מקוראי. We find something similar in Isaiah 46,28 אל תיראי עבדי יעקב, ואל תחת ישראל, “do not fear My servant Yaakov, do not be scared Israel.”

לא יקרא עוד שמך יעקב כי אם ישראל יהיה שמך. The meaning of G’d adding the name “Israel” to Yaakov’s existing name is hinted at by the word עוד, “more, yet, still.” The verse is not saying that the name "Yaakov" will no longer be used, but rather that it will not be used exclusively. The verse means: “your name will no longer be called Yaakov only, rather Israel will be your name,” meaning both Yaakov and Israel. We find a similar construction in Jeremiah 3:16, לא יאמרו עוד ארון ברית ה', “They shall no more say, ‘The Ark of the Covenant of the Lord,’” meaning they will not refer only to the Ark as the dwelling place of G’d’s presence. Rather, Jerusalem itself will become the locus of His presence. This is alluded to in Isaiah 48:2, בעת ההיא יקראו לירושלים כסא ה', “At that time they shall call Jerusalem ‘the throne of the Lord.’” This is also the meaning of the prophet in the same chapter (Isaiah 48:1), שמע אלי יעקב וישראל מקוראי, “Hearken unto Me, O Jacob and Israel, My called.” Similarly, we find in Jeremiah 46:27 ואתה אל תירא עבדי יעקב ואל תחת ישראל, "But fear not thou, O My servant Jacob, and be not dismayed, O Israel.”