Jeremiah 31:9

Authorized King James Version

They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
בִּבְכִ֣י
with weeping
a weeping; by analogy, a dripping
#2
יָבֹ֗אוּ
They shall come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#3
וּֽבְתַחֲנוּנִים֮
and with supplications
earnest prayer
#4
אֽוֹבִילֵם֒
will I lead
properly, to flow; causatively, to bring (especially with pomp)
#5
אֽוֹלִיכֵם֙
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#6
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#7
נַ֣חֲלֵי
by the rivers
a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)
#8
מַ֔יִם
of waters
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#9
בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ
way
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
#10
יָשָׁ֔ר
in a straight
straight (literally or figuratively)
#11
לֹ֥א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#12
יִכָּשְׁל֖וּ
wherein they shall not stumble
to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall
#13
בָּ֑הּ
H0
#14
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#15
הָיִ֤יתִי
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#16
לְיִשְׂרָאֵל֙
to Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#17
לְאָ֔ב
H1
for I am a father
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#18
וְאֶפְרַ֖יִם
and Ephraim
ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
#19
בְּכֹ֥רִי
is my firstborn
first-born; hence, chief
#20
הֽוּא׃
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

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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