Jeremiah 34:5

Authorized King James Version

But thou shalt die in peace: and with the burnings of thy fathers, the former kings which were before thee, so shall they burn odours for thee; and they will lament thee, saying, Ah lord! for I have pronounced the word, saith the LORD.

Word-by-Word Analysis

בְּשָׁל֣וֹם

H7965

in peace

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

תָּמ֗וּת

H4191

But thou shalt die

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

וּֽכְמִשְׂרְפ֣וֹת

H4955

and with the burnings

combustion, i.e., cremation (of a corpse), or calcination (of lime)

אֲ֠בוֹתֶיךָ

of thy fathers

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

הַמְּלָכִ֨ים

H4428

kings

a king

הָרִֽאשֹׁנִ֜ים

H7223

the former

first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)

אֲשֶׁר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הָי֣וּ

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לְפָנֶ֗יךָ

H6440

which were before

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#10

כֵּ֚ן

H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

#11

יִשְׂרְפוּ

H8313

thee so shall they burn

to be (causatively, set) on fire

#12

לָ֔ךְ

#13

וְה֥וֹי

H1945

thee saying Ah

oh!

#14

אָד֖וֹן

H113

lord

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

#15

יִסְפְּדוּ

H5594

odours for thee and they will lament

properly, to tear the hair and beat the breasts (as middle easterners do in grief); generally to lament; by implication, to wail

#16

לָ֑ךְ

#17

כִּֽי

H3588

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

#18

דָבָ֥ר

H1697

the word

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

#19

אֲנִֽי

H589

#20

דִבַּ֖רְתִּי

H1696

for I have pronounced

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

#21

נְאֻם

H5002

saith

an oracle

#22

יְהוָֽה׃

H3068

the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

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 peace 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

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 peace in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How might the original audience's understanding of peace 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?
How does this verse's literary context within Jeremiah chapter 34 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People

Jeremiah