Jeremiah 31:21

Authorized King James Version

Set thee up waymarks, make thee high heaps: set thine heart toward the highway, even the way which thou wentest: turn again, O virgin of Israel, turn again to these thy cities.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הַצִּ֧יבִי
Set thee up
to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively)
#2
לָ֣ךְ
H0
#3
צִיֻּנִ֗ים
waymarks
a monumental or guiding pillar
#4
שִׂ֤מִי
make
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#5
לָךְ֙
H0
#6
תַּמְרוּרִ֔ים
thee high heaps
an erection, i.e., pillar (probably for a guide-board)
#7
שִׁ֣תִי
set
to place (in a very wide application)
#8
לִבֵּ֔ךְ
thine heart
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
#9
לַֽמְסִלָּ֖ה
toward the highway
a thoroughfare (as turnpiked), literally or figuratively; specifically a viaduct, a staircase
#10
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
even the way
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
#11
הָלָ֑כְתְּי
which thou wentest
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#12
שֻׁ֖בִי
turn again
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#13
בְּתוּלַ֣ת
O virgin
a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a city or state
#14
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#15
שֻׁ֖בִי
turn again
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#16
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#17
עָרַ֥יִךְ
to these thy cities
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#18
אֵֽלֶּה׃
these or those

Analysis

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

Questions for Reflection

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