Jeremiah 5:19

Authorized King James Version

And it shall come to pass, when ye shall say, Wherefore doeth the LORD our God all these things unto us? then shalt thou answer them, Like as ye have forsaken me, and served strange gods in your land, so shall ye serve strangers in a land that is not your's.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְהָיָה֙

H1961

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

כִּ֣י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

וְאָמַרְתָּ֣

H559

And it shall come to pass when ye shall say

to say (used with great latitude)

תַּ֣חַת

H8478

Wherefore

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

מֶ֗ה

H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

עָשָׂ֨ה

H6213

doeth

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

יְהוָֹ֧ה

H3068

the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵ֤י

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

לָ֖נוּ

#10

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#11

כָּל

H3605

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

#12

אֵ֑לֶּה

H428

these or those

#13

וְאָמַרְתָּ֣

H559

And it shall come to pass when ye shall say

to say (used with great latitude)

#14

אֲלֵיהֶ֗ם

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#15

כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר

H834

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

#16

עֲזַבְתֶּ֤ם

H5800

them Like as ye have forsaken

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

#17

אוֹתִי֙

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#18

תַּעַבְד֣וּ

H5647

me and served

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

#19

אֱלֹהֵ֤י

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

#20

נֵכָר֙

H5236

strange

foreign, or (concretely) a foreigner, or (abstractly) heathendom

#21

בְּאֶ֖רֶץ

H776

in a land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#22

כֵּ֚ן

H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

#23

תַּעַבְד֣וּ

H5647

me and served

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

#24

זָרִ֔ים

H2114

strangers

to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery

#25

בְּאֶ֖רֶץ

H776

in a land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#26

לֹ֥א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#27

לָכֶֽם׃

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 sovereignty 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 literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Jeremiah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

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 5 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?

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