Jeremiah 20:4

Authorized King James Version

For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will make thee a terror to thyself, and to all thy friends: and they shall fall by the sword of their enemies, and thine eyes shall behold it: and I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall carry them captive into Babylon, and shall slay them with the sword.

Word-by-Word Analysis

כִּ֣י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

כֹ֣ה

H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֣ר

H559

For thus saith

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֡ה

H3068

the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

הִנְנִי֩

H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

אֶתֵּן֙

H5414

Behold I will make

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לְמָג֜וֹר

H4032

thee a terror

a fright (objective or subjective)

לְךָ֣

וּלְכָל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#10

אֹהֲבֶ֗יךָ

H157

to thyself and to all thy friends

to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

#11

וְנָֽפְל֛וּ

H5307

and they shall fall

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

#12

בֶּחָֽרֶב׃

H2719

by the sword

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

#13

אֹיְבֵיהֶ֖ם

H341

of their enemies

hating; an adversary

#14

וְעֵינֶ֣יךָ

H5869

and thine eyes

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

#15

רֹא֑וֹת

H7200

shall behold

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

#16

וְאֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#17

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#18

יְהוּדָ֗ה

H3063

all Judah

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

#19

אֶתֵּן֙

H5414

Behold I will make

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

#20

בְּיַ֣ד

H3027

into the hand

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

#21

מֶֽלֶךְ

H4428

of the king

a king

#22

בָּבֶ֖לָה

H894

into Babylon

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

#23

וְהִגְלָ֥ם

H1540

and he shall carry them captive

to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal

#24

בָּבֶ֖לָה

H894

into Babylon

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

#25

וְהִכָּ֥ם

H5221

and shall slay

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

#26

בֶּחָֽרֶב׃

H2719

by the sword

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Jeremiah. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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

How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
How does this verse's literary context within Jeremiah chapter 20 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?

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