Jeremiah 17:13

Authorized King James Version

O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.

Word-by-Word Analysis

מִקְוֵ֤ה

H4723

the hope

something waited for, i.e., a collection, i.e., (of water) a pond, or (of men and horses) a caravan or drove

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

יְהוָֽה׃

H3068

O LORD

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

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עָזְב֛וּ

H5800

all that forsake

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

יֵבֹ֑שׁוּ

H954

thee shall be ashamed

properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed

יְסוּרַי֙

H3249

and they that depart

departing

בָּאָ֣רֶץ

H776

in the earth

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

יִכָּתֵ֔בוּ

H3789

shall be written

to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)

#10

כִּ֥י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#11

עָזְב֛וּ

H5800

all that forsake

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

#12

מְק֥וֹר

H4726

the fountain

properly, something dug, i.e., a (general) source (of water, even when naturally flowing; also of tears, blood (by euphemism, of the female pudenda);

#13

מַֽיִם

H4325

waters

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

#14

חַיִּ֖ים

H2416

of living

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

#15

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#16

יְהוָֽה׃

H3068

O LORD

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

Analysis

Within the broader context of Jeremiah, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of hope connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about hope, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Jeremiah.

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 hope in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
How does this verse's literary context within Jeremiah chapter 17 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?

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