Jeremiah 19:9

Authorized King James Version

And I will cause them to eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters, and they shall eat every one the flesh of his friend in the siege and straitness, wherewith their enemies, and they that seek their lives, shall straiten them.

Word-by-Word Analysis

יֹאכֵ֑לוּ

H398

And I will cause them to eat

to eat (literally or figuratively)

אֶת

H853

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

בְּשַׂר

H1320

and the flesh

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

בְּנֵיהֶ֗ם

H1121

of their sons

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וְאֵת֙

H853

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

בְּשַׂר

H1320

and the flesh

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

בְּנֹתֵיהֶ֔ם

H1323

of their daughters

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

וְאִ֥ישׁ

H376

every one

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)

בְּשַׂר

H1320

and the flesh

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

#10

רֵעֵ֖הוּ

H7453

of his friend

an associate (more or less close)

#11

יֹאכֵ֑לוּ

H398

And I will cause them to eat

to eat (literally or figuratively)

#12

בְּמָצוֹר֙

H4692

in the siege

something hemming in, i.e., (objectively) a mound (of besiegers), (abstractly) a siege, (figuratively) distress; or (subjectively) a fastness

#13

וּבְמָצ֔וֹק

H4689

and straitness

a narrow place, i.e., (abstractly and figuratively) confinement or disability

#14

אֲשֶׁ֨ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#15

יָצִ֧יקוּ

H6693

shall straiten

to compress, i.e., (figuratively) oppress, distress

#16

לָהֶ֛ם

#17

אֹיְבֵיהֶ֖ם

H341

wherewith their enemies

hating; an adversary

#18

וּמְבַקְשֵׁ֥י

H1245

and they that seek

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

#19

נַפְשָֽׁם׃

H5315

their lives

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

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

In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
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?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People

Jeremiah