Jeremiah 32:4

Authorized King James Version

And Zedekiah king of Judah shall not escape out of the hand of the Chaldeans, but shall surely be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, and shall speak with him mouth to mouth, and his eyes shall behold his eyes;

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְצִדְקִיָּ֙הוּ֙

H6667

And Zedekiah

tsidkijah, the name of six israelites

מֶֽלֶךְ

H4428

king

a king

יְהוּדָ֔ה

H3063

of Judah

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

לֹ֥א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִמָּלֵ֖ט

H4422

shall not escape

properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn

בְּיַ֣ד

H3027

into 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

הַכַּשְׂדִּ֑ים

H3778

of the Chaldeans

a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people

כִּ֣י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יִנָּתֵן֙

H5414

be delivered

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

#10

יִנָּתֵן֙

H5414

be delivered

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

#11

בְּיַ֣ד

H3027

into 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

#12

מֶֽלֶךְ

H4428

king

a king

#13

בָּבֶ֔ל

H894

of Babylon

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

#14

וְדִבֶּר

H1696

and shall speak

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

#15

פִּ֔יו

H6310

to mouth

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

#16

עִם

H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

#17

פִּ֔יו

H6310

to mouth

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

#18

עֵינָ֥ו

H5869

and his eyes

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

#19

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#20

עֵינָ֥ו

H5869

and his eyes

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

#21

תִּרְאֶֽינָה׃

H7200

shall behold

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

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 revelation 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

How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?

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