Jeremiah 20:2

Authorized King James Version

Then Pashur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the LORD.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיַּכֶּ֣ה
smote
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
#2
פַשְׁח֔וּר
Then Pashur
pashchur, the name of four israelites
#3
אֵ֖ת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
יִרְמְיָ֣הוּ
Jeremiah
jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites
#5
הַנָּבִ֑יא
the prophet
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
#6
וַיִּתֵּ֨ן
and put
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#7
אֹת֜וֹ
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#8
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#9
הַמַּהְפֶּ֗כֶת
him in the stocks
a wrench, i.e., the stocks
#10
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#11
בְּשַׁ֤עַר
gate
an opening, i.e., door or gate
#12
בִּנְיָמִן֙
of Benjamin
binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
#13
הָֽעֶלְי֔וֹן
that were in the high
an elevation, i.e., (adjectively) lofty (comparatively); as title, the supreme
#14
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#15
בְּבֵ֥ית
which was by the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#16
יְהוָֽה׃
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

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

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 sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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