Jeremiah 28:8

Authorized King James Version

The prophets that have been before me and before thee of old prophesied both against many countries, and against great kingdoms, of war, and of evil, and of pestilence.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הַנְּבִיאִ֗ים
The prophets
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
#2
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#3
הָי֧וּ
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#4
וּלְפָנֶ֖יךָ
me and before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#5
וּלְפָנֶ֖יךָ
me and before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#6
מִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#7
הָֽעוֹלָ֑ם
thee of old
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
#8
וַיִּנָּ֨בְא֜וּ
prophesied
to prophesy, i.e., speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)
#9
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#10
אֲרָצ֤וֹת
countries
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#11
רַבּוֹת֙
both against many
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
#12
וְעַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#13
מַמְלָכ֣וֹת
kingdoms
dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)
#14
גְּדֹל֔וֹת
and against great
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
#15
לְמִלְחָמָ֖ה
of war
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
#16
וּלְרָעָ֥ה
and of evil
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
#17
וּלְדָֽבֶר׃
and of pestilence
a pestilence

Analysis

This verse develops the kingdom of God theme central to Jeremiah. The concept of kingdom reflects the development of kingdom of God within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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 kingdom of God 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 kingdom in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People