Jeremiah 39:12

Authorized King James Version

Take him, and look well to him, and do him no harm; but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee.

Word-by-Word Analysis

קָחֶ֗נּוּ

H3947

Take

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

וְעֵינֶ֙יךָ֙

H5869

him and look well

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

שִׂ֣ים

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

עָלָ֔יו

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וְאַל

H408

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

עֲשֵׂ֥ה

H6213

but do

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

ל֖וֹ

מְא֣וּמָה

H3972

him no harm

properly, a speck or point, i.e., (by implication) something; with negative, nothing

רָּ֑ע

H7451

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

#10

כִּ֗י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#11

אִם

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

#12

כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֙

H834

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

#13

יְדַבֵּ֣ר

H1696

unto him even as he shall say

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

#14

אֵלֶ֔יךָ

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#15

כֵּ֖ן

H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

#16

עֲשֵׂ֥ה

H6213

but do

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

#17

עִמּֽוֹ׃

H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

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

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 revelation 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 does this verse's literary context within Jeremiah chapter 39 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
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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