Jeremiah 26:3

Authorized King James Version

If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings.

Word-by-Word Analysis

אוּלַ֣י

H194

if not; hence perhaps

יִשְׁמְע֔וּ

H8085

If so be they will hearken

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

וְיָשֻׁ֕בוּ

H7725

and turn

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אִ֖ישׁ

H376

every 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)

מִדַּרְכּ֣וֹ

H1870

way

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

הָרָעָ֗ה

H7451

from his evil

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

וְנִחַמְתִּ֣י

H5162

that I may repent

properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָרָעָ֗ה

H7451

from his evil

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

#10

אֲשֶׁ֨ר

H834

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

#11

אָנֹכִ֤י

H595

#12

חֹשֵׁב֙

H2803

which I purpose

properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou

#13

לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת

H6213

to do

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

#14

לָהֶ֔ם

#15

מִפְּנֵ֖י

H6440

unto them because

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#16

רֹ֥עַ

H7455

of the evil

badness (as marring), physically or morally

#17

מַעַלְלֵיהֶֽם׃

H4611

of their doings

an act (good or bad)

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

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

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?

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