Jeremiah 46:12

Authorized King James Version

The nations have heard of thy shame, and thy cry hath filled the land: for the mighty man hath stumbled against the mighty, and they are fallen both together.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
שָׁמְע֤וּ
have heard
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#2
גוֹיִם֙
The nations
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
#3
קְלוֹנֵ֔ךְ
of thy shame
disgrace; (by implication) the pudenda
#4
וְצִוְחָתֵ֖ךְ
and thy cry
a screech (of anguish)
#5
מָלְאָ֣ה
hath filled
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
#6
הָאָ֑רֶץ
the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#7
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#8
בְּגִבּוֹר֙
against the mighty
powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant
#9
בְּגִבּוֹר֙
against the mighty
powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant
#10
כָּשָׁ֔לוּ
hath stumbled
to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall
#11
יַחְדָּ֖יו
together
properly, a unit, i.e., (adverb) unitedly
#12
נָפְל֥וּ
and they are fallen
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
#13
שְׁנֵיהֶֽם׃
both
two; also (as ordinal) twofold

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Jeremiah. The concept of covenant community reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. 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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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

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