Jeremiah 1:10

Authorized King James Version

See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
רְאֵ֞ה
See
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#2
הִפְקַדְתִּ֣יךָ׀
set
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
#3
הַיּ֣וֹם
I have this day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#4
הַזֶּ֗ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#5
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#6
הַגּוֹיִם֙
thee over the nations
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
#7
וְעַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#8
הַמַּמְלָכ֔וֹת
and over the kingdoms
dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)
#9
לִנְת֥וֹשׁ
to root out
to tear away
#10
וְלִנְת֖וֹץ
and to pull down
to tear down
#11
וּלְהַאֲבִ֣יד
H6
and to destroy
properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
#12
וְלַהֲר֑וֹס
and to throw down
to pull down or in pieces, break, destroy
#13
לִבְנ֖וֹת
to build
to build (literally and figuratively)
#14
וְלִנְטֽוֹעַ׃
and to plant
properly, to strike in, i.e., fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively)

Analysis

This verse develops the kingdom of God theme central to Jeremiah. The concept of kingdom reflects the development of kingdom of God within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of kingdom of God within the theological tradition of Jeremiah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes kingdom in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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