Jeremiah 18:21

Authorized King James Version

Therefore deliver up their children to the famine, and pour out their blood by the force of the sword; and let their wives be bereaved of their children, and be widows; and let their men be put to death; let their young men be slain by the sword in battle.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
לָכֵן֩
H3651
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
#2
תֵּ֨ן
H5414
Therefore deliver up
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#3
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
בְּנֵיהֶ֜ם
H1121
their children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#5
לָרָעָ֗ב
H7458
to the famine
hunger (more or less extensive)
#6
וְהַגִּרֵם֮
H5064
and pour out
to flow; figuratively, to stretch out; causatively, to pour out or down; figuratively, to deliver over
#7
עַל
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#8
יְדֵי
H3027
their blood by the force
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#9
חֶ֖רֶב
H2719
by the sword
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
#10
וְתִֽהְיֶ֨נָה
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#11
נְשֵׁיהֶ֤ם
H802
and let their wives
a woman
#12
שַׁכֻּלוֹת֙
H7909
be bereaved
bereaved
#13
וְאַלְמָנ֔וֹת
H490
of their children and be widows
a widow; also a desolate place
#14
וְאַ֨נְשֵׁיהֶ֔ם
H376
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#15
יִֽהְי֖וּ
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#16
הֲרֻ֣גֵי
H2026
be put
to smite with deadly intent
#17
מָ֑וֶת
H4194
to death
death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
#18
בַּח֣וּרֵיהֶ֔ם
H970
let their young men
properly, selected, i.e., a youth (often collective)
#19
מֻכֵּי
H5221
be slain
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
#20
חֶ֖רֶב
H2719
by the sword
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
#21
בַּמִּלְחָמָֽה׃
H4421
in battle
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

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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