Jeremiah 2:4

Authorized King James Version

Hear ye the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
שִׁמְע֥וּ
Hear
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#2
דְבַר
ye the word
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#3
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#4
בֵּ֥ית
O house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#5
יַעֲקֹ֑ב
of Jacob
jaakob, the israelitish patriarch
#6
וְכָֽל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#7
מִשְׁפְּח֖וֹת
and all the families
a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
#8
בֵּ֥ית
O house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#9
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

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 sovereignty 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

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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