Jeremiah 36:23

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִ֣י׀
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
כִּקְר֣וֹא
had read
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#3
יְהוּדִ֗י
And it came to pass that when Jehudi
jehudi, an israelite
#4
שָׁלֹ֣שׁ
three
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
#5
דְּלָתוֹת֮
leaves
something swinging, i.e., the valve of a door
#6
וְאַרְבָּעָה֒
or four
four
#7
יִֽקְרָעֶ֙הָ֙
he cut
to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them)
#8
בְּתַ֣עַר
it with the penknife
a knife or razor (as making bare); also a scabbard (as being bare, i.e., empty)
#9
הַסֹּפֵ֔ר
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
#10
וְהַשְׁלֵ֕ךְ
and cast
to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)
#11
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#12
הָאֵ֖שׁ
in the fire
fire (literally or figuratively)
#13
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#14
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#15
הָאָֽח׃
that was on the hearth
a fire-pot or chafing dish
#16
עַד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#17
תֹּם֙
was consumed
to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive
#18
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#19
הַמְּגִלָּ֔ה
until all the roll
a roll
#20
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#21
הָאֵ֖שׁ
in the fire
fire (literally or figuratively)
#22
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#23
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#24
הָאָֽח׃
that was on the hearth
a fire-pot or chafing dish

Analysis

Within the broader context of Jeremiah, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Jeremiah.

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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