Jeremiah 22:3

Authorized King James Version

Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
כֹּ֣ה׀
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
#2
אָמַ֣ר
Thus saith
to say (used with great latitude)
#3
יְהוָ֗ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#4
עֲשׂ֤וּ
Execute
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#5
מִשְׁפָּט֙
ye judgment
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
#6
וּצְדָקָ֔ה
and righteousness
rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
#7
וְהַצִּ֥ילוּ
and deliver
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
#8
גָז֖וּל
the spoiled
to pluck off; specifically to flay, strip or rob
#9
מִיַּ֣ד
out of 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
#10
עָשׁ֑וֹק
of the oppressor
oppressive (as noun, a tyrant)
#11
וְגֵר֩
to the stranger
properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner
#12
יָת֨וֹם
the fatherless
a bereaved person
#13
וְאַלְמָנָ֤ה
nor the widow
a widow; also a desolate place
#14
אַל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#15
תֹּנוּ֙
and do no wrong
to rage or be violent; by implication, to suppress, to maltreat
#16
אַל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#17
תַּחְמֹ֔סוּ
do no violence
to be violent; by implication, to maltreat
#18
וְדָ֣ם
blood
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
#19
נָקִ֔י
innocent
innocent
#20
אַֽל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#21
תִּשְׁפְּכ֖וּ
neither shed
to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc
#22
בַּמָּק֥וֹם
in this place
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
#23
הַזֶּֽה׃
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

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 righteousness 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 righteousness in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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