Jeremiah 13:18

Authorized King James Version

Say unto the king and to the queen, Humble yourselves, sit down: for your principalities shall come down, even the crown of your glory.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אֱמֹ֥ר
Say
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
לַמֶּ֛לֶךְ
unto the king
a king
#3
וְלַגְּבִירָ֖ה
and to the queen
a mistress
#4
הַשְׁפִּ֣ילוּ
Humble
to depress or sink (especially figuratively, to humiliate, intransitive or transitive)
#5
שֵׁ֑בוּ
yourselves sit down
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
#6
כִּ֤י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#7
יָרַד֙
shall come down
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
#8
מַרְאֲשׁ֣וֹתֵיכֶ֔ם
for your principalities
properly, headship, i.e., (plural for collective) dominion
#9
עֲטֶ֖רֶת
even the crown
a crown
#10
תִּֽפְאַרְתְּכֶֽם׃
of your glory
ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Jeremiah. The concept of glory 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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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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