Jeremiah 21:2

Authorized King James Version

Enquire, I pray thee, of the LORD for us; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon maketh war against us; if so be that the LORD will deal with us according to all his wondrous works, that he may go up from us.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
דְּרָשׁ
Enquire
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
#2
נָ֤א
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
#3
בַעֲדֵ֙נוּ֙
for us
in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc
#4
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#5
יְהוָ֤ה
I pray thee of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#6
כִּ֛י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#7
נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֥ר
for Nebuchadrezzar
nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon
#8
מֶֽלֶךְ
king
a king
#9
בָּבֶ֖ל
of Babylon
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
#10
נִלְחָ֣ם
maketh war
to feed on; figuratively, to consume
#11
עָלֵ֑ינוּ
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#12
אוּלַי֩
if not; hence perhaps
#13
יַעֲשֶׂ֨ה
will deal
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#14
יְהוָ֤ה
I pray thee of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#15
אוֹתָ֙נוּ֙
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#16
כְּכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#17
נִפְלְאֹתָ֔יו
with us according to all his wondrous works
properly, perhaps to separate, i.e., distinguish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to be (causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful
#18
וְיַעֲלֶ֖ה
that he may go up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#19
מֵעָלֵֽינוּ׃
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

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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