Jeremiah 21:10

Authorized King James Version

For I have set my face against this city for evil, and not for good, saith the LORD: it shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
כִּ֣י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#2
שַׂ֣מְתִּי
For I have set
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#3
פָ֠נַי
my face
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#4
בָּעִ֨יר
against this city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#5
הַזֹּ֧את
this (often used adverb)
#6
לְרָעָ֛ה
for evil
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
#7
וְלֹ֥א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#8
לְטוֹבָ֖ה
and not for good
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
#9
נְאֻם
saith
an oracle
#10
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#11
בְּיַד
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
#12
מֶ֤לֶךְ
of the king
a king
#13
בָּבֶל֙
of Babylon
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
#14
תִּנָּתֵ֔ן
it shall be given
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#15
וּשְׂרָפָ֖הּ
and he shall burn
to be (causatively, set) on fire
#16
בָּאֵֽשׁ׃
it with fire
fire (literally or figuratively)

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 historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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