Jeremiah 38:12

Authorized King James Version

And Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said unto Jeremiah, Put now these old cast clouts and rotten rags under thine armholes under the cords. And Jeremiah did so.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֡אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
עֶבֶד
H0
#3
מֶ֨לֶךְ
And Ebedmelech
ebed-melek, a eunuch of zedekeah
#4
הַכּוּשִׁ֜י
the Ethiopian
a cushite, or descendant of cush
#5
אֶֽל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#6
יִרְמְיָ֖הוּ
And Jeremiah
jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites
#7
שִׂ֣ים
Put
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#8
נָ֠א
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
#9
בְּלוֹאֵ֨י
now these old
(only in plural construction) rags
#10
הַסְּחָב֤וֹת
cast clouts
a rag
#11
וְהַמְּלָחִים֙
and rotten rags
a rag or old garment
#12
תַּ֚חַת
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
#13
אַצִּל֣וֹת
under thine armholes
a joint of the hand (i.e., knuckle); also (according to some) a party-wall (ezekiel 41:8)
#14
יָדֶ֔יךָ
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#15
מִתַּ֖חַת
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
#16
לַחֲבָלִ֑ים
under the cords
ruin
#17
וַיַּ֥עַשׂ
did
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#18
יִרְמְיָ֖הוּ
And Jeremiah
jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites
#19
כֵּֽן׃
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Jeremiah. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. 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

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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