Jeremiah 41:5
That there came certain from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria, even fourscore men, having their beards shaven, and their clothes rent, and having cut themselves, with offerings and incense in their hand, to bring them to the house of the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
לְהָבִ֖יא
That there came
H935
לְהָבִ֖יא
That there came
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
1 of 18
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אִ֔ישׁ
men
H376
אִ֔ישׁ
men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
2 of 18
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אִ֔ישׁ
men
H376
אִ֔ישׁ
men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
7 of 18
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
מְגֻלְּחֵ֥י
shaven
H1548
מְגֻלְּחֵ֥י
shaven
Strong's:
H1548
Word #:
8 of 18
properly, to be bald, i.e., (causatively) to shave; figuratively to lay waste
וּקְרֻעֵ֥י
rent
H7167
וּקְרֻעֵ֥י
rent
Strong's:
H7167
Word #:
10 of 18
to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them)
וּמִתְגֹּֽדְדִ֑ים
and having cut
H1413
וּמִתְגֹּֽדְדִ֑ים
and having cut
Strong's:
H1413
Word #:
12 of 18
to crowd; also to gash (as if by pressing into)
וּמִנְחָ֤ה
themselves with offerings
H4503
וּמִנְחָ֤ה
themselves with offerings
Strong's:
H4503
Word #:
13 of 18
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
וּלְבוֹנָה֙
and incense
H3828
וּלְבוֹנָה֙
and incense
Strong's:
H3828
Word #:
14 of 18
frankincense (from its whiteness or perhaps that of its smoke)
בְּיָדָ֔ם
in their hand
H3027
בְּיָדָ֔ם
in their hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
15 of 18
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
לְהָבִ֖יא
That there came
H935
לְהָבִ֖יא
That there came
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
16 of 18
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Cross References
1 Kings 16:24And he bought the hill Samaria of Shemer for two talents of silver, and built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built, after the name of Shemer, owner of the hill, Samaria.Deuteronomy 14:1Ye are the children of the LORD your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead.Joshua 18:1And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them.2 Kings 25:9And he burnt the house of the LORD, and the king's house, and all the houses of Jerusalem, and every great man's house burnt he with fire.Genesis 33:18And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padan-aram; and pitched his tent before the city.1 Kings 12:1And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king.Judges 9:1And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his mother's brethren, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother's father, saying,Isaiah 15:2He is gone up to Bajith, and to Dibon, the high places, to weep: Moab shall howl over Nebo, and over Medeba: on all their heads shall be baldness, and every beard cut off.1 Kings 12:25Then Jeroboam built Shechem in mount Ephraim, and dwelt therein; and went out from thence, and built Penuel.1 Kings 16:29And in the thirty and eighth year of Asa king of Judah began Ahab the son of Omri to reign over Israel: and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty and two years.
Historical Context
This occurred shortly after Jerusalem's destruction. That worshipers still came to the ruins shows the temple's centrality to Jewish faith and hope for restoration.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you maintain devotion to God when external structures and supports are removed?
- What does this teach about the nature of true worship?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
These men came from northern regions to worship at Jerusalem's ruins, bringing offerings despite the temple's destruction. Their devotion shows that true worship transcends buildings. The 'meat offerings and incense' demonstrate continued faith in YAHWEH even after judgment. God preserves a remnant of sincere worshipers even in darkest times.