Jeremiah 27:17

Authorized King James Version

Hearken not unto them; serve the king of Babylon, and live: wherefore should this city be laid waste?

Word-by-Word Analysis

אַל

H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּשְׁמְע֣וּ

H8085

Hearken

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

אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עִבְד֥וּ

H5647

not unto them serve

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מֶֽלֶךְ

H4428

the king

a king

בָּבֶ֖ל

H894

of Babylon

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

וִֽחְי֑וּ

H2421

and live

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

לָ֧מָּה

H4100

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

#10

תִֽהְיֶ֛ה

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#11

הָעִ֥יר

H5892

wherefore should this city

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

#12

הַזֹּ֖את

H2063

this (often used adverb)

#13

חָרְבָּֽה׃

H2723

be laid waste

properly, drought, i.e., (by implication) a desolation

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

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 revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

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