Jeremiah 29:18

Authorized King James Version

And I will persecute them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be removed to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, and an astonishment, and an hissing, and a reproach, among all the nations whither I have driven them:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְרָֽדַפְתִּי֙
And I will persecute
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
#2
אַֽחֲרֵיהֶ֔ם
them
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#3
בַּחֶ֖רֶב
with the sword
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
#4
בָּרָעָ֣ב
with the famine
hunger (more or less extensive)
#5
וּבַדָּ֑בֶר
and with the pestilence
a pestilence
#6
וּנְתַתִּ֨ים
and will deliver
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#7
לְזַוֲעָ֜ה
agitation, fear
#8
לְכֹ֣ל׀
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#9
מַמְלְכ֣וֹת
to all the kingdoms
dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)
#10
הָאָ֗רֶץ
of the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#11
לְאָלָ֤ה
to be a curse
an imprecation
#12
וּלְשַׁמָּה֙
and an astonishment
ruin; by implication, consternation
#13
וְלִשְׁרֵקָ֣ה
and an hissing
a derision
#14
וּלְחֶרְפָּ֔ה
and a reproach
contumely, disgrace, the pudenda
#15
בְּכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#16
הַגּוֹיִ֖ם
among all the nations
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
#17
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#18
הִדַּחְתִּ֥ים
whither I have driven
to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.)
#19
שָֽׁם׃
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Jeremiah. The concept of kingdom reflects the development of salvation 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 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 kingdom in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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