Jeremiah 22:23

Authorized King James Version

O inhabitant of Lebanon, that makest thy nest in the cedars, how gracious shalt thou be when pangs come upon thee, the pain as of a woman in travail!

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
יֹשַׁבְתְּ֙י
O inhabitant
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
#2
בַּלְּבָנ֔וֹן
of Lebanon
lebanon, a mountain range in palestine
#3
מְקֻנַּ֖נְתְּי
that makest thy nest
to nestle, i.e., build or occupy as a nest
#4
בָּֽאֲרָזִ֑ים
in the cedars
a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots)
#5
מַה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#6
נֵּחַנְתְּ֙
how gracious
properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e., move to favor by petition)
#7
בְּבֹא
come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#8
לָ֣ךְ
H0
#9
חֲבָלִ֔ים
shalt thou be when pangs
ruin
#10
חִ֖יל
upon thee the pain
a throe (expectant of childbirth)
#11
כַּיֹּלֵדָֽה׃
as of a woman in travail
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

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 revelation 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 revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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