Jeremiah 44:21

Authorized King James Version

The incense that ye burned in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, ye, and your fathers, your kings, and your princes, and the people of the land, did not the LORD remember them, and came it not into his mind?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הֲל֣וֹא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#2
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#3
הַקִּטֵּ֗ר
that ye burned
to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)
#4
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#5
קִטַּרְתֶּ֜ם
The incense
perfume
#6
בְּעָרֵ֤י
in the cities
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#7
יְהוּדָה֙
of Judah
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
#8
וּבְחֻצ֣וֹת
and in the streets
properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors
#9
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם
of Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
#10
אַתֶּ֧ם
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#11
וַאֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֛ם
H1
ye and your fathers
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#12
מַלְכֵיכֶ֥ם
your kings
a king
#13
וְשָׂרֵיכֶ֖ם
and your princes
a head person (of any rank or class)
#14
וְעַ֣ם
and the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#15
הָאָ֑רֶץ
of the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#16
אֹתָם֙
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#17
זָכַ֣ר
remember
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
#18
יְהוָ֔ה
did not the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#19
וַֽתַּעֲלֶ֖ה
them and came
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#20
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#21
לִבּֽוֹ׃
it not into his mind
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

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 sovereignty 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 divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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