Jeremiah 3:19

Authorized King James Version

But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאָנֹכִ֣י
i
#2
וָאֹמַ֗ר
But I said
to say (used with great latitude)
#3
אֵ֚יךְ
how? or how!; also where
#4
אֲשִׁיתֵ֣ךְ
How shall I put
to place (in a very wide application)
#5
בַּבָּנִ֔ים
thee among the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#6
וְאֶתֶּן
and give
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#7
לָךְ֙
H0
#8
אֶ֣רֶץ
land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#9
חֶמְדָּ֔ה
thee a pleasant
delight
#10
נַחֲלַ֥ת
heritage
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
#11
צְבִ֖י
a goodly
a gazelle (as beautiful)
#12
צִבְא֣וֹת
of the hosts
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
#13
גּוֹיִ֑ם
of nations
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
#14
וָאֹמַ֗ר
But I said
to say (used with great latitude)
#15
אָבִי֙
H1
me My father
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#16
לִ֔י
Thou shalt call
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#17
לִ֔י
Thou shalt call
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#18
וּמֵאַחֲרַ֖י
from me
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#19
לֹ֥א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#20
תָשֽׁוּבִו׃
and shalt not turn away
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Jeremiah. The concept of covenant community 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 covenant community in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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