Jeremiah 44:8

Authorized King James Version

In that ye provoke me unto wrath with the works of your hands, burning incense unto other gods in the land of Egypt, whither ye be gone to dwell, that ye might cut yourselves off, and that ye might be a curse and a reproach among all the nations of the earth?

Word-by-Word Analysis

לְהַכְעִסֵ֙נִי֙

H3707

In that ye provoke me unto wrath

to trouble; by implication, to grieve, rage, be indignant

בְּמַעֲשֵׂ֣י

H4639

with the works

an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property

יְדֵיכֶ֔ם

H3027

of your hands

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

לְקַטֵּ֞ר

H6999

burning incense

to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)

לֵאלֹהִ֤ים

H430

gods

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֲחֵרִים֙

H312

unto other

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

הָאָֽרֶץ׃

H776

in the land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרַ֔יִם

H4714

of Egypt

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

אֲשֶׁר

H834

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

#10

אַתֶּ֥ם

H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

#11

בָּאִ֖ים

H935

whither ye be gone

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

#12

לָג֣וּר

H1481

to dwell

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);

#13

שָׁ֑ם

H8033

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

#14

לְמַ֙עַן֙

H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

#15

הַכְרִ֣ית

H3772

that ye might cut yourselves off

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

#16

לָכֶ֔ם

#17

וּלְמַ֤עַן

H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

#18

הֱיֽוֹתְכֶם֙

H1961

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

#19

לִקְלָלָ֣ה

H7045

and that ye might be a curse

vilification

#20

וּלְחֶרְפָּ֔ה

H2781

and a reproach

contumely, disgrace, the pudenda

#21

בְּכֹ֖ל

H3605

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

#22

גּוֹיֵ֥י

H1471

among all the nations

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

#23

הָאָֽרֶץ׃

H776

in the land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Jeremiah. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

How does this verse's literary context within Jeremiah chapter 44 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
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?

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