Jeremiah 50:17

Authorized King James Version

Israel is a scattered sheep; the lions have driven him away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
שֶׂ֧ה
sheep
a member of a flock, i.e., a sheep or goat
#2
פְזוּרָ֛ה
is a scattered
to scatter, whether in enmity or bounty
#3
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#4
אֲרָי֣וֹת
the lions
a lion
#5
הִדִּ֑יחוּ
have driven him away
to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.)
#6
הָרִאשׁ֤וֹן
first
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
#7
אֲכָלוֹ֙
hath devoured
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#8
מֶ֥לֶךְ
king
a king
#9
אַשּׁ֔וּר
of Assyria
ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire
#10
וְזֶ֤ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#11
הָאַחֲרוֹן֙
him and last
hinder; generally, late or last; specifically (as facing the east) western
#12
עִצְּמ֔וֹ
hath broken his bones
to bind fast, i.e., close (the eyes); intransitively, to be (causatively, make) powerful or numerous; to crunch the bones
#13
נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֖ר
this Nebuchadrezzar
nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon
#14
מֶ֥לֶךְ
king
a king
#15
בָּבֶֽל׃
of Babylon
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Jeremiah. The concept of divine revelation 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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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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