Jeremiah 31:37

Authorized King James Version

Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.

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
יְהוָֽה׃
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#4
אִם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#5
יִמַּ֤דּוּ
can be measured
properly, to stretch; by implication, to measure (as if by stretching a line); figuratively, to be extended
#6
שָׁמַ֙יִם֙
If heaven
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
#7
מִלְמַ֔עְלָה
above
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
#8
וְיֵחָקְר֥וּ
searched out
properly, to penetrate; hence, to examine intimately
#9
מֽוֹסְדֵי
and the foundations
a foundation
#10
אֶ֖רֶץ
of the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#11
לְמָ֑טָּה
beneath
downward, below or beneath; often adverbially with or without prefixes
#12
גַּם
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
#13
אֲנִ֞י
i
#14
אֶמְאַ֨ס
I will also cast off
to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear
#15
בְּכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#16
זֶ֧רַע
all the seed
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
#17
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#18
עַֽל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#19
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#20
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#21
עָשׂ֖וּ
for all that they have done
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#22
נְאֻם
saith
an oracle
#23
יְהוָֽה׃
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

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

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 salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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