Jeremiah 4:13

Authorized King James Version

Behold, he shall come up as clouds, and his chariots shall be as a whirlwind: his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe unto us! for we are spoiled.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הִנֵּ֣ה׀
lo!
#2
כַּעֲנָנִ֣ים
as clouds
a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e., the nimbus or thunder-cloud
#3
יַעֲלֶ֗ה
Behold he shall come up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#4
וְכַסּוּפָה֙
shall be as a whirlwind
a hurricane
#5
מַרְכְּבוֹתָ֔יו
and his chariots
a chariot
#6
קַלּ֥וּ
are swifter
to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)
#7
מִנְּשָׁרִ֖ים
than eagles
the eagle (or other large bird of prey)
#8
סוּסָ֑יו
his horses
a horse (as leaping)
#9
א֥וֹי
Woe
lamentation; also interjectionally oh!
#10
לָ֖נוּ
H0
#11
כִּ֥י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#12
שֻׁדָּֽדְנוּ׃
unto us! for we are spoiled
properly, to be burly, i.e., (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by implication, to ravage

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

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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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