Jeremiah 36:12

Authorized King James Version

Then he went down into the king's house, into the scribe's chamber: and, lo, all the princes sat there, even Elishama the scribe, and Delaiah the son of Shemaiah, and Elnathan the son of Achbor, and Gemariah the son of Shaphan, and Zedekiah the son of Hananiah, and all the princes.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֵּ֤רֶד
Then he went down
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
#2
בֵּית
house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#3
הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙
into the king's
a king
#4
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#5
לִשְׁכַּ֣ת
chamber
a room in a building (whether for storage, eating, or lodging)
#6
הַסֹּפֵ֡ר
into the scribe's
properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra
#7
וְהִ֨נֵּה
lo!
#8
שָׁ֔ם
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
#9
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#10
הַשָּׂרִֽים׃
and all the princes
a head person (of any rank or class)
#11
יֽוֹשְׁבִ֑ים
sat
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
#12
אֱלִישָׁמָ֣ע
there even Elishama
elishama, the name of seven israelites
#13
הַסֹּפֵ֡ר
into the scribe's
properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra
#14
וּדְלָיָ֣הוּ
and Delaiah
delajah, the name of five israelites
#15
בֶן
the son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#16
שְׁ֠מַעְיָהוּ
of Shemaiah
shemajah, the name of twenty-five israelites
#17
וְאֶלְנָתָ֨ן
and Elnathan
elnathan, the name of four israelites
#18
בֶן
the son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#19
עַכְבּ֜וֹר
of Achbor
akbor, the name of an idumaean and of two israelites
#20
וּגְמַרְיָ֧הוּ
and Gemariah
gemarjah, the name of two israelites
#21
בֶן
the son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#22
שָׁפָ֛ן
of Shaphan
a species of rock-rabbit (from its hiding), i.e., probably the hyrax
#23
וְצִדְקִיָּ֥הוּ
and Zedekiah
tsidkijah, the name of six israelites
#24
בֶן
the son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#25
חֲנַנְיָ֖הוּ
of Hananiah
chananjah, the name of thirteen israelites
#26
וְכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#27
הַשָּׂרִֽים׃
and all the princes
a head person (of any rank or class)

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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