Jeremiah 2:2

Authorized King James Version

Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
לֶכְתֵּ֤ךְ
Go
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#2
וְקָֽרָאתָ֩
and cry
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#3
בְאָזְנֵ֨י
in the ears
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
#4
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֜ם
of Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
#5
אָמַ֣ר
Thus saith
to say (used with great latitude)
#6
כֹּ֚ה
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
#7
אָמַ֣ר
Thus saith
to say (used with great latitude)
#8
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#9
זָכַ֤רְתִּי
I remember
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
#10
לָךְ֙
H0
#11
חֶ֣סֶד
thee the kindness
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
#12
נְעוּרַ֔יִךְ
of thy youth
(only in plural collective or emphatic form) youth, the state (juvenility) or the persons (young people)
#13
אַהֲבַ֖ת
the love
love
#14
כְּלוּלֹתָ֑יִךְ
of thine espousals
bridehood (only in the plural)
#15
לֶכְתֵּ֤ךְ
Go
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#16
אַחֲרַי֙
after
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#17
בַּמִּדְבָּ֔ר
me in the wilderness
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
#18
בְּאֶ֖רֶץ
in a land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#19
לֹ֥א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#20
זְרוּעָֽה׃
that was not sown
to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify

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 love fundamental to theology proper, revealing God's essential nature and character 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 love in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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