Jeremiah 1:7

Authorized King James Version

But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
תֹּאמַ֖ר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
יְהוָה֙
But the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#3
אֵלַ֔י
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
אַל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#5
תֹּאמַ֖ר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#6
נַ֣עַר
not I am a child
(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit
#7
אָנֹ֑כִי
i
#8
כִּ֠י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#9
עַֽל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#10
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#11
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#12
אֶֽשְׁלָחֲךָ֙
to all that I shall send
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
#13
תֵּלֵ֔ךְ
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#14
וְאֵ֛ת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#15
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#16
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#17
אֲצַוְּךָ֖
thee and whatsoever I command
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
#18
תְּדַבֵּֽר׃
thee thou shalt speak
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

Analysis

Within the broader context of Jeremiah, this passage highlights salvation through universal language and absolute statements. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by establishing foundational concepts crucial to Jeremiah's theological argument.

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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