Jeremiah 13:20

Authorized King James Version

Lift up your eyes, and behold them that come from the north: where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
שְׂא֤יּ
Lift up
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#2
עֵֽינֵיכֶם֙
your eyes
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#3
וּרְא֔יּ
and behold
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#4
הַבָּאִ֖ים
them that come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#5
מִצָּפ֑וֹן
from the north
properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)
#6
אַיֵּ֗ה
where?
#7
הָעֵ֙דֶר֙
where is the flock
an arrangement, i.e., muster (of animals)
#8
נִתַּן
that was given
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#9
לָ֔ךְ
H0
#10
צֹ֖אן
flock
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
#11
תִּפְאַרְתֵּֽךְ׃
thee thy beautiful
ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively)

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 divine revelation 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 divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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