Jeremiah 4:16

Authorized King James Version

Make ye mention to the nations; behold, publish against Jerusalem, that watchers come from a far country, and give out their voice against the cities of Judah.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הַזְכִּ֣ירוּ
Make ye mention
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
#2
לַגּוֹיִ֗ם
to the nations
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
#3
הִנֵּה֙
lo!
#4
הַשְׁמִ֣יעוּ
behold publish
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#5
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#6
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם
against Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
#7
נֹצְרִ֥ים
that watchers
to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.)
#8
בָּאִ֖ים
come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#9
מֵאֶ֣רֶץ
country
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#10
הַמֶּרְחָ֑ק
from a far
remoteness, i.e., (concretely) a distant place; often (adverbially) from afar
#11
וַֽיִּתְּנ֛וּ
and give out
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#12
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#13
עָרֵ֥י
against the cities
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#14
יְהוּדָ֖ה
of Judah
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
#15
קוֹלָֽם׃
their voice
a voice or sound

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 covenant community 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 covenant community in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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