Jeremiah 40:4

Authorized King James Version

And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which were upon thine hand. If it seem good unto thee to come with me into Babylon, come; and I will look well unto thee: but if it seem ill unto thee to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the land is before thee: whither it seemeth good and convenient for thee to go, thither go.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְעַתָּ֞ה
at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive
#2
הִנֵּ֧ה
lo!
#3
פִתַּחְתִּ֣יךָ
And now behold I loose
to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve
#4
הַיּ֗וֹם
thee this day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#5
מִֽן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#6
הָאזִקִּים֮
from the chains
manacles
#7
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#8
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#9
יָדֶךָ֒
which were upon thine hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#10
אִם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#11
ט֨וֹב
If it seem good
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
#12
בְּעֵינֶ֜יךָ
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#13
לָבֽוֹא
come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#14
אִתִּ֣י
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#15
בָבֶ֖ל
with me into Babylon
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
#16
לָבֽוֹא
come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#17
וְאָשִׂ֤ים
and I will look well
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#18
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#19
עֵינִי֙
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#20
עָלֶ֔יךָ
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#21
וְאִם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#22
רַ֧ע
unto thee but if it seem ill
properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)
#23
בְּעֵינֶ֛יךָ
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#24
לָבֽוֹא
come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#25
אִתִּ֥י
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#26
בָבֶ֖ל
with me into Babylon
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
#27
חֲדָ֑ל
forbear
properly, to be flabby, i.e., (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle
#28
רְאֵה֙
behold
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#29
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#30
הָאָ֣רֶץ
all the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#31
לְפָנֶ֔יךָ
is before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#32
וְאֶל
thee whither it seemeth
near, with or among; often in general, to
#33
ט֨וֹב
If it seem good
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
#34
וְאֶל
thee whither it seemeth
near, with or among; often in general, to
#35
הַיָּשָׁ֧ר
and convenient
straight (literally or figuratively)
#36
בְּעֵינֶ֛יךָ
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#37
לָלֶ֥כֶת
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#38
שָׁ֖מָּה
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
#39
לֵֽךְ׃
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

Analysis

Within the broader context of Jeremiah, this passage highlights salvation through universal language and absolute statements. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Jeremiah.

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

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