Jeremiah 5:17

Authorized King James Version

And they shall eat up thine harvest, and thy bread, which thy sons and thy daughters should eat: they shall eat up thy flocks and thine herds: they shall eat up thy vines and thy fig trees: they shall impoverish thy fenced cities, wherein thou trustedst, with the sword.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
יֹאכַ֥ל
And they shall eat up
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#2
קְצִֽירְךָ֜
thine harvest
severed, a limb (of a tree, or simply foliage)
#3
וְלַחְמֶ֗ךָ
and thy bread
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
#4
יֹאכַ֥ל
And they shall eat up
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#5
בָּנֶ֣יךָ
which thy sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#6
וּבְנוֹתֶ֔יךָ
and thy daughters
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
#7
יֹאכַ֥ל
And they shall eat up
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#8
צֹאנְךָ֙
thy flocks
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
#9
וּבְקָרֶ֔ךָ
and thine herds
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
#10
יֹאכַ֥ל
And they shall eat up
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#11
גַּפְנְךָ֖
thy vines
a vine (as twining), especially the grape
#12
וּתְאֵנָתֶ֑ךָ
and thy fig trees
the fig (tree or fruit)
#13
יְרֹשֵׁ֞שׁ
they shall impoverish
to demolish
#14
עָרֵ֣י
cities
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#15
מִבְצָרֶ֗יךָ
thy fenced
a fortification, castle, or fortified city; figuratively, a defender
#16
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#17
אַתָּ֛ה
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#18
בֹּטֵ֥חַ
trustedst
properly, to hie for refuge (but not so precipitately as h2620); figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure
#19
בָּהֵ֖נָּה
wherein thou
themselves (often used emphatic for the copula, also in indirect relation)
#20
בֶּחָֽרֶב׃
with the sword
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

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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