Jeremiah 2:21

Authorized King James Version

Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאָֽנֹכִי֙
i
#2
נְטַעְתִּ֣יךְ
Yet I had planted
properly, to strike in, i.e., fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively)
#3
שׂוֹרֵ֔ק
thee a noble vine
a vine stock (properly, one yielding purple grapes, the richest variety)
#4
כֻּלֹּ֖ה
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#5
זֶ֣רַע
seed
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
#6
אֱמֶ֑ת
wholly a right
stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness
#7
וְאֵיךְ֙
how? or how!; also where
#8
נֶהְפַּ֣כְתְּ
how then art thou turned
to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert
#9
לִ֔י
H0
#10
סוּרֵ֖י
into the degenerate plant
turned off, i.e., deteriorated
#11
הַגֶּ֥פֶן
vine
a vine (as twining), especially the grape
#12
נָכְרִיָּֽה׃
of a strange
strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different, wonderful)

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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