Jeremiah 12:1

Authorized King James Version

Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
צַדִּ֤יק
Righteous
just
#2
אַתָּה֙
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#3
יְהוָ֔ה
art thou O LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#4
כִּ֥י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#5
אָרִ֖יב
when I plead
properly, to toss, i.e., grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e., hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend
#6
אֵלֶ֑יךָ
near, with or among; often in general, to
#7
אַ֤ךְ
a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only
#8
מִשְׁפָּטִים֙
with thee of thy judgments
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
#9
אֲדַבֵּ֣ר
with thee yet let me talk
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#10
אֹתָ֔ךְ
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#11
מַדּ֗וּעַ
what (is) known?; i.e., (by implication) (adverbially) why?
#12
דֶּ֤רֶךְ
Wherefore doth the way
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
#13
רְשָׁעִים֙
of the wicked
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
#14
צָלֵ֔חָה
prosper
to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)
#15
שָׁל֖וּ
wherefore are all they happy
to be tranquil, i.e., secure or successful
#16
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#17
בֹּ֥גְדֵי
that deal very
a covering, i.e., clothing
#18
בָֽגֶד׃
treacherously
to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to act covertly; by implication, to pillage

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Jeremiah. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, 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 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 divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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