Jeremiah 46:16

Authorized King James Version

He made many to fall, yea, one fell upon another: and they said, Arise, and let us go again to our own people, and to the land of our nativity, from the oppressing sword.

Word-by-Word Analysis

הִרְבָּ֖ה

H7235

He made many

to increase (in whatever respect)

כּוֹשֵׁ֑ל

H3782

to fall

to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall

גַּם

H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

נָפַ֞ל

H5307

fell

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

אִ֣ישׁ

H376

yea one

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)

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

רֵעֵ֗הוּ

H7453

upon another

an associate (more or less close)

וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙

H559

and they said

to say (used with great latitude)

ק֣וּמָה׀

H6965

Arise

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

#10

וְנָשֻׁ֣בָה

H7725

and let us go again

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

#11

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#12

עַמֵּ֗נוּ

H5971

to our own people

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

#13

וְאֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#14

אֶ֙רֶץ֙

H776

and to the land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#15

מֽוֹלַדְתֵּ֔נוּ

H4138

of our nativity

nativity (plural birth-place); by implication, lineage, native country; also offspring, family

#16

מִפְּנֵ֖י

H6440

from

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

#17

חֶ֥רֶב

H2719

sword

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

#18

הַיּוֹנָֽה׃

H3238

the oppressing

to rage or be violent; by implication, to suppress, to maltreat

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 covenant community 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 historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood covenant community. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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?
How does this verse's literary context within Jeremiah chapter 46 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People

Jeremiah