Jeremiah 49:3

Authorized King James Version

Howl, O Heshbon, for Ai is spoiled: cry, ye daughters of Rabbah, gird you with sackcloth; lament, and run to and fro by the hedges; for their king shall go into captivity, and his priests and his princes together.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הֵילִ֨ילִי
Howl
to howl (with a wailing tone) or yell (with a boisterous one)
#2
חֶשְׁבּ֜וֹן
O Heshbon
cheshbon, a place east of the jordan
#3
כִּ֣י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#4
שֻׁדְּדָה
is spoiled
properly, to be burly, i.e., (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by implication, to ravage
#5
עַ֗י
for Ai
ai, aja or ajath, a place in palestine
#6
צְעַקְנָה֮
cry
to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly)
#7
בְּנ֣וֹת
ye daughters
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
#8
רַבָּה֒
of Rabbah
rabbah, the name of two places in palestine, east and west
#9
חֲגֹ֣רְנָה
gird
to gird on (as a belt, armor, etc.)
#10
שַׂקִּ֔ים
you with sackcloth
properly, a mesh (as allowing a liquid to run through), i.e., coarse loose cloth or sacking (used in mourning and for bagging); hence, a bag (for grai
#11
סְפֹ֕דְנָה
lament
properly, to tear the hair and beat the breasts (as middle easterners do in grief); generally to lament; by implication, to wail
#12
וְהִתְשׁוֹטַ֖טְנָה
and run to and fro
properly, to push forth; (but used only figuratively) to lash, i.e., (the sea with oars) to row; by implication, to travel
#13
בַּגְּדֵר֑וֹת
by the hedges
enclosure (especially for flocks)
#14
כִּ֤י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#15
מַלְכָּם֙
for their king
a king
#16
בַּגּוֹלָ֣ה
into captivity
exile; concretely and collectively exiles
#17
יֵלֵ֔ךְ
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#18
כֹּהֲנָ֥יו
and his priests
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
#19
וְשָׂרָ֖יו
and his princes
a head person (of any rank or class)
#20
יַחְדָּֽיו׃
together
properly, a unit, i.e., (adverb) unitedly

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 revelation 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

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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