Jeremiah 35:15

Authorized King James Version

I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְשָׁלֹ֣חַ׀

H7971

I have sent

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֲלֵיכֶ֣ם

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶת

H853

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

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עֲבָדַ֣י

H5650

also unto you all my servants

a servant

הַנְּבִאִ֣ים׀

H5030

the prophets

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

הַשְׁכֵּ֣ם

H7925

rising up early

literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning

וְשָׁלֹ֣חַ׀

H7971

I have sent

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

לֵאמֹ֡ר

H559

them saying

to say (used with great latitude)

#10

שֻׁבוּ

H7725

Return

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

#11

נָ֡א

H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

#12

אִישׁ֩

H376

ye now 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)

#13

מִדַּרְכּ֨וֹ

H1870

way

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

#14

הָרָעָ֜ה

H7451

from his evil

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

#15

וְהֵיטִ֣יבוּ

H3190

and amend

to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)

#16

מַֽעַלְלֵיכֶ֗ם

H4611

your doings

an act (good or bad)

#17

וְאַל

H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

#18

תֵּ֨לְכ֜וּ

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

#19

אַחֲרֵ֨י

H310

not after

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

#20

אֱלֹהִ֤ים

H430

gods

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

#21

אֲחֵרִים֙

H312

other

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

#22

לְעָבְדָ֔ם

H5647

to serve

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

#23

וּשְׁבוּ֙

H3427

them and ye shall dwell in

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

#24

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#25

הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה

H127

the land

soil (from its general redness)

#26

אֲשֶׁר

H834

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

#27

נָתַ֥תִּי

H5414

which I have given

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

#28

לָכֶ֖ם

#29

וְלַאֲבֹֽתֵיכֶ֑ם

to you and to your fathers

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

#30

וְלֹ֤א

H3808

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

#31

הִטִּיתֶם֙

H5186

but ye have not inclined

to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)

#32

אֶֽת

H853

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

#33

אָזְנְכֶ֔ם

H241

your ear

broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)

#34

וְלֹ֥א

H3808

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

#35

שְׁמַעְתֶּ֖ם

H8085

nor hearkened

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

#36

אֵלָֽי׃

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Jeremiah. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. 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

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 sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
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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