Jeremiah 18:7

Authorized King James Version

At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it;

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
רֶ֣גַע
At what instant
a wink (of the eyes), i.e., a very short space of time
#2
אֲדַבֵּ֔ר
I shall speak
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#3
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#4
גּ֖וֹי
concerning a nation
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
#5
וְעַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#6
מַמְלָכָ֑ה
and concerning a kingdom
dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)
#7
לִנְת֥וֹשׁ
to pluck up
to tear away
#8
וְלִנְת֖וֹץ
and to pull down
to tear down
#9
וּֽלְהַאֲבִֽיד׃
H6
and to destroy
properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)

Analysis

The kingdom of God theme here intersects with the progressive revelation of God's rule from creation to consummation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of development from creation mandate through Davidic kingdom to eschatological fulfillment. The phrase emphasizing kingdom relates to eschatology and the ultimate purpose of God's redemptive plan and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's reign from creation through the millennial kingdom.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood kingdom. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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