Jeremiah 44:12

Authorized King James Version

And I will take the remnant of Judah, that have set their faces to go into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, and they shall all be consumed, and fall in the land of Egypt; they shall even be consumed by the sword and by the famine: they shall die, from the least even unto the greatest, by the sword and by the famine: and they shall be an execration, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְלָקַחְתִּ֞י

H3947

And I will take

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שְׁאֵרִ֣ית

H7611

the remnant

a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion

יְהוּדָ֗ה

H3063

of Judah

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

אֲשֶׁר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

שָׂ֨מוּ

H7760

that have set

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

פְנֵיהֶ֜ם

H6440

their faces

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

לָב֣וֹא

H935

to go

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

בְּאֶ֧רֶץ

H776

in the land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#10

מִצְרַ֣יִם

H4714

of Egypt

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

#11

לָג֣וּר

H1481

to sojourn

properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);

#12

שָׁם֒

H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

#13

יִתַּ֔מּוּ

H8552

there and they shall all be consumed

to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive

#14

כֹ֜ל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#15

בְּאֶ֧רֶץ

H776

in the land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#16

מִצְרַ֣יִם

H4714

of Egypt

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

#17

יִפֹּ֗לוּ

H5307

and fall

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

#18

בַּחֶ֥רֶב

H2719

by the sword

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

#19

וּבָרָעָ֖ב

H7458

and by the famine

hunger (more or less extensive)

#20

יִתַּ֔מּוּ

H8552

there and they shall all be consumed

to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive

#21

מִקָּטֹן֙

H6996

from the least

abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)

#22

וְעַד

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

#23

גָּד֔וֹל

H1419

even unto the greatest

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

#24

בַּחֶ֥רֶב

H2719

by the sword

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

#25

וּבָרָעָ֖ב

H7458

and by the famine

hunger (more or less extensive)

#26

יָמֻ֑תוּ

H4191

they shall die

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

#27

וְהָיוּ֙

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#28

לְאָלָ֣ה

H423

and they shall be an execration

an imprecation

#29

לְשַׁמָּ֔ה

H8047

and an astonishment

ruin; by implication, consternation

#30

וְלִקְלָלָ֖ה

H7045

and a curse

vilification

#31

וּלְחֶרְפָּֽה׃

H2781

and a reproach

contumely, disgrace, the pudenda

Analysis

Within the broader context of Jeremiah, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. 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

In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
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?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?

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