Jeremiah 11:15

Authorized King James Version

What hath my beloved to do in mine house, seeing she hath wrought lewdness with many, and the holy flesh is passed from thee? when thou doest evil, then thou rejoicest.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
מֶ֣ה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#2
לִֽידִידִ֞י
What hath my beloved
loved
#3
בְּבֵיתִ֗י
to do in mine house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#4
עֲשׂוֹתָ֤הּ
seeing she hath wrought
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#5
הַֽמְזִמָּ֙תָה֙
lewdness
a plan, usually evil (machination), sometimes good (sagacity)
#6
הָֽרַבִּ֔ים
with many
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
#7
וּבְשַׂר
flesh
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
#8
קֹ֖דֶשׁ
and the holy
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
#9
יַעַבְר֣וּ
is passed
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
#10
מֵֽעָלָ֑יִךְ
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#11
כִּ֥י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#12
רָעָתֵ֖כִי
from thee when thou doest evil
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
#13
אָ֥ז
at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore
#14
תַּעֲלֹֽזִי׃
then thou rejoicest
to jump for joy, i.e., exult

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing love fundamental to theology proper, revealing God's essential nature and character and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

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 salvation 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 love in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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