Jeremiah 4:1

Authorized King James Version

If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the LORD, return unto me: and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not remove.

Word-by-Word Analysis

אִם

H518

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

תָּשׁ֑וּב

H7725

If thou wilt return

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֧ל׀

H3478

O Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

נְאֻם

H5002

saith

an oracle

יְהוָ֛ה

H3068

the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֵלַ֖י

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

תָּשׁ֑וּב

H7725

If thou wilt return

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

וְאִם

H518

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

תָּסִ֧יר

H5493

unto me and if thou wilt put away

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

#10

שִׁקּוּצֶ֛יךָ

H8251

thine abominations

disgusting, i.e., filthy; especially idolatrous or (concretely) an idol

#11

מִפָּנַ֖י

H6440

out of my sight

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

#12

וְלֹ֥א

H3808

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

#13

תָנֽוּד׃

H5110

then shalt thou not remove

to nod, i.e., waver; figuratively, to wander, flee, disappear; also (from shaking the head in sympathy), to console, deplore, or (from tossing the hea

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 sovereignty 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

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

In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How does this verse's literary context within Jeremiah chapter 4 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?

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