Jeremiah 31:8

Authorized King James Version

Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הִנְנִי֩
lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if
#2
מֵבִ֨יא
Behold I will bring
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#3
אוֹתָ֜ם
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
אָרֶץ֒
country
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#5
צָפ֗וֹן
them from the north
properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)
#6
וְקִבַּצְתִּים֮
and gather
to grasp, i.e., collect
#7
מִיַּרְכְּתֵי
them from the coasts
properly, the flank; but used only figuratively, the rear or recess
#8
אָרֶץ֒
country
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#9
בָּ֚ם
H0
#10
עִוֵּ֣ר
and with them the blind
blind (literally or figuratively)
#11
וּפִסֵּ֔חַ
and the lame
lame
#12
הָרָ֥ה
the woman with child
pregnant
#13
וְיֹלֶ֖דֶת
and her that travaileth with child
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
#14
יַחְדָּ֑ו
together
properly, a unit, i.e., (adverb) unitedly
#15
קָהָ֥ל
company
assemblage (usually concretely)
#16
גָּד֖וֹל
a great
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
#17
יָשׁ֥וּבוּ
shall return
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#18
הֵֽנָּה׃
hither or thither (but used both of place and time)

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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