Jeremiah 31:15

Authorized King James Version

Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
כֹּ֣ה׀
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
#2
אָמַ֣ר
Thus saith
to say (used with great latitude)
#3
יְהוָ֗ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#4
ק֣וֹל
A voice
a voice or sound
#5
בְּרָמָ֤ה
in Ramah
ramah, the name of four places in palestine
#6
נִשְׁמָע֙
was heard
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#7
נְהִי֙
lamentation
an elegy
#8
בְּכִ֣י
weeping
a weeping; by analogy, a dripping
#9
תַמְרוּרִ֔ים
and bitter
bitterness (plural as collective)
#10
רָחֵ֖ל
Rahel
rachel, a wife of jacob
#11
מְבַכָּ֣ה
weeping
to weep; generally to bemoan
#12
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#13
בָּנֶ֖יהָ
for her 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
#14
מֵאֲנָ֛ה
refused
to refuse
#15
לְהִנָּחֵ֥ם
to be comforted
properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo
#16
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#17
בָּנֶ֖יהָ
for her 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
#18
כִּ֥י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#19
אֵינֶֽנּוּ׃
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

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 historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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