Jeremiah 23:28

Authorized King James Version

The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD.

Word-by-Word Analysis

הַנָּבִ֞יא

H5030

The prophet

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

אֲשֶׁר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אִתּ֤וֹ

H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

חֲל֔וֹם

H2472

a dream

יְסַפֵּ֣ר

H5608

let him tell

properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra

חֲל֔וֹם

H2472

a dream

וַאֲשֶׁ֤ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

דְּבָרִ֖י

H1697

and he that hath my word

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

אִתּ֔וֹ

H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

#10

יְדַבֵּ֥ר

H1696

let him speak

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

#11

דְּבָרִ֖י

H1697

and he that hath my word

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

#12

אֱמֶ֑ת

H571

faithfully

stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness

#13

מַה

H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

#14

לַתֶּ֥בֶן

H8401

What is the chaff

properly, material, i.e., (specifically) refuse haum or stalks of grain (as chopped in threshing and used for fodder)

#15

אֶת

H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

#16

הַבָּ֖ר

H1250

to the wheat

grain of any kind (even while standing in the field); by extension the open country

#17

נְאֻם

H5002

saith

an oracle

#18

יְהוָֽה׃

H3068

the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis

The covenant theme here intersects with God's relationship with His people from Abraham through the new covenant. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of evolution from creation covenant through Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, to new covenant. The phrase emphasizing faith central to epistemology and the means by which humans receive divine revelation and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's relational commitment from Noah to the new covenant.

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 covenant 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 faith in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does this verse's emphasis on faith address questions about God's character and purposes in the modern world, and how should the church respond?
What practical applications emerge from understanding covenant as presented in this verse, particularly in light of contemporary challenges facing the church and individual believers?
How does the covenant theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?

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