Jeremiah 37:20

Authorized King James Version

Therefore hear now, I pray thee, O my lord the king: let my supplication, I pray thee, be accepted before thee; that thou cause me not to return to the house of Jonathan the scribe, lest I die there.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְעַתָּ֕ה

H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

שְֽׁמַֽע

H8085

Therefore hear

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

נָ֖א

H4994

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

אֲדֹנִ֣י

H113

now I pray thee O my lord

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ

H4428

the king

a king

תִּפָּל

H5307

I pray thee be accepted

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

נָ֤א

H4994

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

תְחִנָּתִי֙

H8467

let my supplication

graciousness; causatively, entreaty

לְפָנֶ֔יךָ

H6440

before

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#10

וְאַל

H408

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

#11

תְּשִׁבֵ֗נִי

H7725

thee that thou cause me not to return

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

#12

בֵּ֚ית

H1004

to the house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

#13

יְהוֹנָתָ֣ן

H3083

of Jonathan

jehonathan, the name of four israelites

#14

הַסֹּפֵ֔ר

H5608

the scribe

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

#15

וְלֹ֥א

H3808

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

#16

אָמ֖וּת

H4191

lest I die

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

#17

שָֽׁם׃

H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

Analysis

Within the broader context of Jeremiah, this passage highlights salvation through declarative statements that establish theological truth. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, 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

How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
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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