Jeremiah 17:21

Authorized King James Version

Thus saith the LORD; Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem;

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
כֹּ֚ה
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
#2
אָמַ֣ר
Thus saith
to say (used with great latitude)
#3
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#4
הִשָּׁמְר֖וּ
Take heed
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
#5
בְּנַפְשֽׁוֹתֵיכֶ֑ם
to yourselves
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
#6
וְאַל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#7
תִּשְׂא֤וּ
and bear
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#8
מַשָּׂא֙
no burden
a burden; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire
#9
בְּי֣וֹם
day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#10
הַשַּׁבָּ֔ת
on the sabbath
intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath
#11
וַהֲבֵאתֶ֖ם
nor bring
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#12
בְּשַׁעֲרֵ֥י
it in by the gates
an opening, i.e., door or gate
#13
יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃
of Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

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

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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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