Jeremiah 22:6

Authorized King James Version

For thus saith the LORD unto the king's house of Judah; Thou art Gilead unto me, and the head of Lebanon: yet surely I will make thee a wilderness, and cities which are not inhabited.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#2
כֹ֣ה׀
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
#3
אָמַ֣ר
For thus saith
to say (used with great latitude)
#4
יְהוָ֗ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#5
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#6
בֵּית֙
house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#7
מֶ֣לֶךְ
unto the king's
a king
#8
יְהוּדָ֔ה
of Judah
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
#9
גִּלְעָ֥ד
Thou art Gilead
gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites
#10
אַתָּ֛ה
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#11
לִ֖י
H0
#12
רֹ֣אשׁ
unto me and the head
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#13
הַלְּבָנ֑וֹן
of Lebanon
lebanon, a mountain range in palestine
#14
אִם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#15
לֹ֤א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#16
אֲשִֽׁיתְךָ֙
yet surely I will make
to place (in a very wide application)
#17
מִדְבָּ֔ר
thee a wilderness
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
#18
עָרִ֖ים
and cities
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#19
לֹ֥א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#20
נוֹשָֽׁבהּ׃
which are not inhabited
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

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

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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