Jeremiah 3:1

Authorized King James Version

They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD.

Word-by-Word Analysis

לֵאמֹ֡ר

H559

They say

to say (used with great latitude)

הֵ֣ן

H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

יְשַׁלַּ֣ח

H7971

put away

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

לְאִישׁ

H376

If a 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)

אֶת

H853

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

אִשְׁתּוֹ֩

H802

his wife

a woman

וְהָלְכָ֨ה

H1980

and she go

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

מֵאִתּ֜וֹ

H853

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

וְהָיְתָ֣ה

H1961

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

#10

לְאִישׁ

H376

If a 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)

#11

אַחֵ֗ר

H312

from him and become another

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

#12

וְשׁ֥וֹב

H7725

shall he return unto her again

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

#13

אֵלֶ֙יהָ֙

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#14

ע֔וֹד

H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

#15

הֲל֛וֹא

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#16

תֶּחֱנַ֖ף

H2610

be greatly

to soil, especially in a moral sense

#17

תֶּחֱנַ֖ף

H2610

be greatly

to soil, especially in a moral sense

#18

הָאָ֣רֶץ

H776

shall not that land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#19

הַהִ֑יא

H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

#20

וְאַ֗תְּ

H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

#21

זָנִית֙

H2181

but thou hast played the harlot

to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (

#22

רֵעִ֣ים

H7453

lovers

an associate (more or less close)

#23

רַבִּ֔ים

H7227

with many

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

#24

וְשׁ֥וֹב

H7725

shall he return unto her again

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

#25

אֵלַ֖י

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#26

נְאֻם

H5002

to me saith

an oracle

#27

יְהוָֹֽה׃

H3068

the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

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 love fundamental to theology proper, revealing God's essential nature and character 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 love in this particular way.

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?
In what ways does understanding love in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
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?

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Jeremiah