Jeremiah 31:32

Authorized King James Version

Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
לֹ֣א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#2
בְּרִיתִ֗י
Not according to the covenant
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
#3
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#4
כָּרַ֙תִּי֙
that I made
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
#5
אֶת
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#6
אֲבוֹתָ֔ם
H1
with their fathers
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#7
בְּיוֹם֙
in the day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#8
הֶחֱזִיקִ֣י
that I took
to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra
#9
בְיָדָ֔ם
them by the hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#10
לְהוֹצִיאָ֖ם
to bring them out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#11
מֵאֶ֖רֶץ
of the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#12
מִצְרָ֑יִם
of Egypt
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
#13
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#14
הֵ֜מָּה
they (only used when emphatic)
#15
הֵפֵ֣רוּ
they brake
to break up (usually figuratively), i.e., to violate, frustrate
#16
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#17
בְּרִיתִ֗י
Not according to the covenant
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
#18
וְאָנֹכִ֛י
i
#19
בָּעַ֥לְתִּי
although I was an husband
to be master; hence, to marry
#20
בָ֖ם
H0
#21
נְאֻם
unto them saith
an oracle
#22
יְהוָֽה׃
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis

The covenant theme here intersects with God's relationship with His people from Abraham through the new covenant. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of evolution from creation covenant through Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, to new covenant. The phrase emphasizing covenant contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's relational commitment from Noah to the new covenant.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on covenant particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show treaty language and adoption practices from the ancient world, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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