Jeremiah 34:21

Authorized King James Version

And Zedekiah king of Judah and his princes will I give into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life, and into the hand of the king of Babylon's army, which are gone up from you.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#2
צִדְקִיָּ֨הוּ
And Zedekiah
tsidkijah, the name of six israelites
#3
מֶ֣לֶךְ
king
a king
#4
יְהוּדָ֜ה
of Judah
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
#5
וְאֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#6
שָׂרָ֗יו
and his princes
a head person (of any rank or class)
#7
אֶתֵּן֙
will I give
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#8
וּבְיַד
and 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
#9
אֹֽיְבֵיהֶ֔ם
of their enemies
hating; an adversary
#10
וּבְיַד
and 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
#11
מְבַקְשֵׁ֣י
of them that seek
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
#12
נַפְשָׁ֑ם
their life
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
#13
וּבְיַד
and 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
#14
חֵ֚יל
army
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
#15
מֶ֣לֶךְ
king
a king
#16
בָּבֶ֔ל
of Babylon's
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
#17
הָעֹלִ֖ים
which are gone up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#18
מֵעֲלֵיכֶֽם׃
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Jeremiah. The concept of life 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

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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