Jeremiah 32:38

Authorized King James Version

And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהָ֥יוּ
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
לִ֖י
H0
#3
לְעָ֑ם
And they shall be my people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#4
וַאֲנִ֕י
i
#5
אֶהְיֶ֥ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#6
לָהֶ֖ם
H0
#7
לֵאלֹהִֽים׃
and I will be their God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original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