Jeremiah 3:20

Authorized King James Version

Surely as a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith the LORD.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אָכֵ֛ן
Surely
firmly; figuratively, surely; also (adversative) but
#2
בְּגַדְתֶּ֥ם
so have ye dealt treacherously
to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to act covertly; by implication, to pillage
#3
אִשָּׁ֖ה
as a wife
a woman
#4
מֵרֵעָ֑הּ
departeth from her husband
an associate (more or less close)
#5
כֵּ֣ן
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
#6
בְּגַדְתֶּ֥ם
so have ye dealt treacherously
to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to act covertly; by implication, to pillage
#7
בִּ֛י
H0
#8
בֵּ֥ית
with me O house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#9
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#10
נְאֻם
saith
an oracle
#11
יְהוָֽה׃
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 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

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