Jeremiah 13:16

Authorized King James Version

Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.

Word-by-Word Analysis

תְּנוּ֩

H5414

Give

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לַיהוָ֨ה

H3068

to the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֤ם

H430

your God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

כָּבוֹד֙

H3519

glory

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

בְּטֶ֣רֶם

H2962

properly, non-occurrence; used adverbially, not yet or before

יַחְשִׁ֔ךְ

H2821

before he cause darkness

to be dark (as withholding light); transitively, to darken

וּבְטֶ֛רֶם

H2962

properly, non-occurrence; used adverbially, not yet or before

יִֽתְנַגְּפ֥וּ

H5062

stumble

to push, gore, defeat, stub (the toe), inflict (a disease)

רַגְלֵיכֶ֖ם

H7272

and before your feet

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

#10

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#11

הָ֣רֵי

H2022

mountains

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

#12

נָ֑שֶׁף

H5399

upon the dark

properly, a breeze, i.e., (by implication) dusk (when the evening breeze prevails)

#13

וְקִוִּיתֶ֤ם

H6960

and while ye look

to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e., collect; (figuratively) to expect

#14

לְאוֹר֙

H216

for light

illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)

#15

וְשָׂמָ֣הּ

H7760

he turn

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

#16

לְצַלְמָ֔וֶת

H6757

it into the shadow of death

shade of death, i.e., the grave (figuratively, calamity)

#17

יְשִׁ֖ית

H7896

and make

to place (in a very wide application)

#18

לַעֲרָפֶֽל׃

H6205

it gross darkness

gloom (as of a lowering sky)

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 glory contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine 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 glory in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on glory address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
How does this verse's literary context within Jeremiah chapter 13 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?

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