Jeremiah 34:9

Authorized King James Version

That every man should let his manservant, and every man his maidservant, being an Hebrew or an Hebrewess, go free; that none should serve himself of them, to wit, of a Jew his brother.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
לְ֠שַׁלַּח
go
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
#2
אִֽישׁ׃
That every man
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#3
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
עַבְדּ֞וֹ
should let his manservant
a servant
#5
אִֽישׁ׃
That every man
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#6
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#7
שִׁפְחָת֛וֹ
his maidservant
a female slave (as a member of the household)
#8
וְהָעִבְרִיָּ֖ה
being an Hebrew
an eberite (i.e., hebrew) or descendant of eber
#9
וְהָעִבְרִיָּ֖ה
being an Hebrew
an eberite (i.e., hebrew) or descendant of eber
#10
חָפְשִׁ֑ים
free
exempt (from bondage, tax or care)
#11
לְבִלְתִּ֧י
properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n
#12
עֲבָד
that none should serve
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
#13
בָּ֛ם
H0
#14
בִּיהוּדִ֥י
himself of them to wit of a Jew
a jehudite (i.e., judaite or jew), or descendant of jehudah (i.e., judah)
#15
אָחִ֖יהוּ
his brother
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
#16
אִֽישׁ׃
That every man
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

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

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 divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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