Jeremiah 34:7

Authorized King James Version

When the king of Babylon's army fought against Jerusalem, and against all the cities of Judah that were left, against Lachish, and against Azekah: for these defenced cities remained of the cities of Judah.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְחֵ֣יל
army
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
#2
מֶֽלֶךְ
When the king
a king
#3
בָּבֶ֗ל
of Babylon's
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
#4
נִלְחָמִים֙
fought
to feed on; figuratively, to consume
#5
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#6
יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם
against Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
#7
וְעַ֛ל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#8
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#9
עָרֵ֥י
and against all the cities
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#10
יְהוּדָ֖ה
of Judah
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
#11
הַנּֽוֹתָר֑וֹת
that were left
to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve
#12
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#13
לָכִישׁ֙
against Lachish
lakish, a place in palestine
#14
וְאֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#15
עֲזֵקָ֔ה
and against Azekah
azekah, a place in palestine
#16
כִּ֣י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#17
הֵ֗נָּה
themselves (often used emphatic for the copula, also in indirect relation)
#18
נִשְׁאֲר֛וּ
remained
properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant
#19
עָרֵ֥י
and against all the cities
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#20
יְהוּדָ֖ה
of Judah
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
#21
עָרֵ֥י
and against all the cities
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#22
מִבְצָֽר׃
for these defenced
a fortification, castle, or fortified city; figuratively, a defender

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

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