Jeremiah 1:17

Authorized King James Version

Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאַתָּה֙
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#2
תֶּאְזֹ֣ר
Thou therefore gird up
to belt
#3
מָתְנֶ֔יךָ
thy loins
properly, the waist or small of the back; only in plural the loins
#4
וְקַמְתָּ֙
and arise
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
#5
וְדִבַּרְתָּ֣
and speak
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#6
אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם
near, with or among; often in general, to
#7
אֵ֛ת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#8
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#9
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#10
אָנֹכִ֖י
i
#11
אֲצַוֶּ֑ךָּ
unto them all that I command
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
#12
אַל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#13
אֲחִתְּךָ֖
lest I confound
properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or (figuratively) by confusion and fear
#14
לִפְנֵיהֶֽם׃
at their faces
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#15
פֶּֽן
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
#16
אֲחִתְּךָ֖
lest I confound
properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or (figuratively) by confusion and fear
#17
לִפְנֵיהֶֽם׃
at their faces
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Jeremiah. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation 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

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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