Jeremiah 18:23

Authorized King James Version

Yet, LORD, thou knowest all their counsel against me to slay me: forgive not their iniquity, neither blot out their sin from thy sight, but let them be overthrown before thee; deal thus with them in the time of thine anger.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאַתָּ֣ה
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#2
יְ֠הוָה
Yet LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#3
יָדַ֜עְתָּ
thou knowest
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#4
אֶֽת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#5
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#6
עֲצָתָ֤ם
all their counsel
advice; by implication, plan; also prudence
#7
עָלַי֙
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#8
לַמָּ֔וֶת
against me to slay
death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
#9
אַל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#10
תְּכַפֵּר֙
me forgive
to cover (specifically with bitumen)
#11
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#12
עֲוֹנָ֔ם
not their iniquity
perversity, i.e., (moral) evil
#13
וְחַטָּאתָ֖ם
their sin
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
#14
לְפָנֶ֔יךָ
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#15
אַל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#16
תֶּ֑מְחִי
neither blot out
properly, to stroke or rub; by implication, to erase; also to smooth (as if with oil), i.e., grease or make fat
#17
וְהְי֤וּ
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#18
מֻכְשָׁלִים֙
but let them be overthrown
to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall
#19
לְפָנֶ֔יךָ
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#20
בְּעֵ֥ת
thus with them in the time
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
#21
אַפְּךָ֖
of thine anger
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
#22
עֲשֵׂ֥ה
thee deal
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#23
בָהֶֽם׃
H0

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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