Jeremiah 50:20

Authorized King James Version

In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
בַּיָּמִ֣ים
In those days
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#2
הָהֵם֩
they (only used when emphatic)
#3
וּבָעֵ֨ת
and in that time
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
#4
הַהִ֜יא
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#5
נְאֻם
saith
an oracle
#6
יְהוָ֗ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#7
יְבֻקַּ֞שׁ
shall be sought for
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
#8
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#9
עֲוֹ֤ן
the iniquity
perversity, i.e., (moral) evil
#10
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#11
וְאֵינֶ֔נּוּ
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
#12
וְאֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#13
חַטֹּ֥את
and there shall be none and the sins
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
#14
יְהוּדָ֖ה
of Judah
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
#15
וְלֹ֣א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#16
תִמָּצֶ֑אינָה
and they shall not be found
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
#17
כִּ֥י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#18
אֶסְלַ֖ח
for I will pardon
to forgive
#19
לַאֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#20
אַשְׁאִֽיר׃
them whom I reserve
properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

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

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