Jeremiah 3:23

Authorized King James Version

Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains: truly in the LORD our God is the salvation of Israel.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אָכֵן֙
Truly
firmly; figuratively, surely; also (adversative) but
#2
לַשֶּׁ֛קֶר
in vain
an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)
#3
מִגְּבָע֖וֹת
is salvation hoped for from the hills
a hillock
#4
הָמ֣וֹן
and from the multitude
a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth
#5
הָרִ֑ים
of mountains
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
#6
אָכֵן֙
Truly
firmly; figuratively, surely; also (adversative) but
#7
בַּיהוָֹ֣ה
in the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#8
אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ
our 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
#9
תְּשׁוּעַ֖ת
is the salvation
rescue (literal or figurative, persons, national or spiritual)
#10
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

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 salvation encompasses justification, sanctification, and glorification in the ordo salutis 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 salvation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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