Jeremiah 3:8
And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.
Original Language Analysis
וָאֵ֗רֶא
And I saw
H7200
וָאֵ֗רֶא
And I saw
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
1 of 24
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
2 of 24
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 24
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 24
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֹדוֹת֙
when for all the causes
H182
אֹדוֹת֙
when for all the causes
Strong's:
H182
Word #:
5 of 24
turnings (i.e., occasions); (adverb) on account of
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נִֽאֲפָה֙
committed adultery
H5003
נִֽאֲפָה֙
committed adultery
Strong's:
H5003
Word #:
7 of 24
to commit adultery; figuratively, to apostatize
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
9 of 24
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
שִׁלַּחְתִּ֕יהָ
I had put her away
H7971
שִׁלַּחְתִּ֕יהָ
I had put her away
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
10 of 24
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
וָאֶתֵּ֛ן
and given
H5414
וָאֶתֵּ֛ן
and given
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
11 of 24
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
סֵ֥פֶר
her a bill
H5612
סֵ֥פֶר
her a bill
Strong's:
H5612
Word #:
13 of 24
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
כְּרִיתֻתֶ֖יהָ
of divorce
H3748
כְּרִיתֻתֶ֖יהָ
of divorce
Strong's:
H3748
Word #:
14 of 24
a cutting (of the matrimonial bond), i.e., divorce
וְלֹ֨א
H3808
וְלֹ֨א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
16 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָֽרְאָ֜ה
feared
H3372
יָֽרְאָ֜ה
feared
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
17 of 24
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
בֹּֽגֵדָ֤ה
yet her treacherous
H898
בֹּֽגֵדָ֤ה
yet her treacherous
Strong's:
H898
Word #:
18 of 24
to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to act covertly; by implication, to pillage
יְהוּדָה֙
Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָה֙
Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
19 of 24
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
אֲחוֹתָ֔הּ
sister
H269
אֲחוֹתָ֔הּ
sister
Strong's:
H269
Word #:
20 of 24
a sister (used very widely [like h0251], literally and figuratively)
וַתֵּ֖לֶךְ
H1980
וַתֵּ֖לֶךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
21 of 24
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וַתִּ֥זֶן
and played the harlot
H2181
וַתִּ֥זֶן
and played the harlot
Strong's:
H2181
Word #:
22 of 24
to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (
Cross References
Deuteronomy 24:1When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house.Isaiah 50:1Thus saith the LORD, Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.Hosea 3:4For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim:Jeremiah 3:1They 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.Deuteronomy 24:3And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife;Ezekiel 16:47Yet hast thou not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations: but, as if that were a very little thing, thou wast corrupted more than they in all thy ways.Ezekiel 23:9Wherefore I have delivered her into the hand of her lovers, into the hand of the Assyrians, upon whom she doted.
Historical Context
Historical and cultural context for Jeremiah 3:8, including the time period during Jeremiah's ministry (627-586 BC), the political situation with Babylon's rise to power, and how this verse relates to Judah's covenant unfaithfulness and coming judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jeremiah 3:8 challenge your understanding of God's character and His dealings with His people?
- What practical application can you draw from Jeremiah 3:8 for your walk with Christ today?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Detailed theological analysis of Jeremiah 3:8 with Hebrew word studies, doctrinal significance, and connections to broader biblical themes. This would reference original language terms, explain theological concepts, and show how the verse fits into redemptive history and points to Christ.