Jeremiah 2:23

Authorized King James Version

How canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim? see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done: thou art a swift dromedary traversing her ways;

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אֵ֣יךְ
how? or how!; also where
#2
תֹּאמְרִ֞י
How canst thou say
to say (used with great latitude)
#3
לֹ֣א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#4
נִטְמֵ֗אתִי
I am not polluted
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
#5
אַחֲרֵ֤י
after
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#6
הַבְּעָלִים֙
Baalim
baal, a phoenician deity
#7
לֹ֣א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#8
הָלַ֔כְתִּי
I have not gone
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#9
רְאִ֤י
see
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#10
דְּרָכֶֽיהָ׃
her ways
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
#11
בַּגַּ֔יְא
in the valley
a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent)
#12
דְּעִ֖י
know
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#13
מֶ֣ה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#14
עָשִׂ֑ית
what thou hast done
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#15
בִּכְרָ֥ה
dromedary
a young she-camel
#16
קַלָּ֖ה
thou art a swift
light; (by implication) rapid (also adverbial)
#17
מְשָׂרֶ֥כֶת
traversing
to interlace
#18
דְּרָכֶֽיהָ׃
her ways
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

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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