Jeremiah 39:5

Authorized King James Version

But the Chaldeans' army pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he gave judgment upon him.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּרְדְּפ֨וּ
pursued
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
#2
חֵיל
army
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
#3
כַּשְׂדִּ֜ים
But the Chaldeans
a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people
#4
אַחֲרֵיהֶ֗ם
after
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#5
וַיַּשִּׂ֣גוּ
them and overtook
to reach (literally or figuratively)
#6
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#7
צִדְקִיָּהוּ֮
Zedekiah
tsidkijah, the name of six israelites
#8
בְּעַֽרְב֣וֹת
in the plains
a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the jordan and its continuation to the red sea
#9
יְרֵחוֹ֒
of Jericho
jericho or jerecho, a place in palestine
#10
וַיִּקְח֣וּ
and when they had taken
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#11
אֹת֗וֹ
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#12
וַֽ֠יַּעֲלֻהוּ
him they brought him up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#13
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#14
נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֧ר
to Nebuchadnezzar
nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon
#15
מֶֽלֶךְ
king
a king
#16
בָּבֶ֛ל
of Babylon
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
#17
רִבְלָ֖תָה
to Riblah
riblah, a place in syria
#18
בְּאֶ֣רֶץ
in the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#19
חֲמָ֑ת
of Hamath
chamath, a place in syria
#20
וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר
where he gave
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#21
אִתּ֖וֹ
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#22
מִשְׁפָּטִֽים׃
judgment
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

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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