Jeremiah 29:8

Authorized King James Version

For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
כִּי֩
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#2
כֹ֨ה
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
#3
אָמַ֜ר
For thus saith
to say (used with great latitude)
#4
יְהוָ֤ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#5
צְבָאוֹת֙
of hosts
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
#6
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
the God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#7
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#8
אַל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#9
יַשִּׁ֧יאוּ
of you deceive
to lead astray, i.e., (mentally) to delude, or (morally) to seduce
#10
לָכֶ֛ם
H0
#11
נְבִֽיאֵיכֶ֥ם
Let not your prophets
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
#12
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#13
בְּקִרְבְּכֶ֖ם
that be in the midst
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
#14
וְקֹֽסְמֵיכֶ֑ם
and your diviners
properly, to distribute, i.e., determine by lot or magical scroll; by implication, to divine
#15
וְאַֽל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#16
תִּשְׁמְעוּ֙
you neither hearken
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#17
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#18
חֲלֹמֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם
to your dreams
a dream
#19
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#20
אַתֶּ֖ם
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#21
מַחְלְמִֽים׃
which ye cause to be dreamed
properly, to bind firmly, i.e., (through the figurative sense of dumbness) to dream

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

Related Resources

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

People