Jeremiah 23:34

Authorized King James Version

And as for the prophet, and the priest, and the people, that shall say, The burden of the LORD, I will even punish that man and his house.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהַנָּבִ֤יא
And as for the prophet
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
#2
וְהַכֹּהֵן֙
and the priest
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
#3
וְהָעָ֔ם
and the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#4
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#5
יֹאמַ֖ר
that shall say
to say (used with great latitude)
#6
מַשָּׂ֣א
The burden
a burden; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire
#7
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#8
וּפָקַדְתִּ֛י
I will even punish
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
#9
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#10
הָאִ֥ישׁ
that man
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#11
הַה֖וּא
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#12
וְעַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#13
בֵּיתֽוֹ׃
and his house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

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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