Jeremiah 50:5
They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten.
Original Language Analysis
צִיּ֣וֹן
to Zion
H6726
צִיּ֣וֹן
to Zion
Strong's:
H6726
Word #:
1 of 13
tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem
יִשְׁאָ֔לוּ
They shall ask
H7592
יִשְׁאָ֔לוּ
They shall ask
Strong's:
H7592
Word #:
2 of 13
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
דֶּ֖רֶךְ
the way
H1870
דֶּ֖רֶךְ
the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
3 of 13
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
הֵ֣נָּה
thitherward
H2008
הֵ֣נָּה
thitherward
Strong's:
H2008
Word #:
4 of 13
hither or thither (but used both of place and time)
פְנֵיהֶ֑ם
with their faces
H6440
פְנֵיהֶ֑ם
with their faces
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
5 of 13
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
בֹּ֚אוּ
saying Come
H935
בֹּ֚אוּ
saying Come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
6 of 13
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
וְנִלְו֣וּ
and let us join
H3867
וְנִלְו֣וּ
and let us join
Strong's:
H3867
Word #:
7 of 13
properly, to twine; also to borrow (as a form of obligation) or (causative) to lend
יְהוָ֔ה
ourselves to the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
ourselves to the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בְּרִ֥ית
covenant
H1285
בְּרִ֥ית
covenant
Strong's:
H1285
Word #:
10 of 13
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
עוֹלָ֖ם
in a perpetual
H5769
עוֹלָ֖ם
in a perpetual
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
11 of 13
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
Cross References
Jeremiah 32:40And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.Isaiah 55:3Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.Isaiah 35:8And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.Jeremiah 6:16Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.Genesis 17:7And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.
Historical Context
The returning remnant would seek Zion with determination ('faces thitherward'). This restored relationship would be based on God's new covenant provision.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to set your face toward Zion?
- How does the perpetual covenant in Christ differ from breakable human covenants?
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Analysis & Commentary
They will ask the way to Zion 'with their faces thitherward' and join themselves to the LORD in 'a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten.' This covenant language points to the new covenant in Christ's blood (Jer 31:31-34, Heb 13:20). The phrase 'perpetual covenant' emphasizes its eternal, unchangeable nature - unlike the old covenant which was broken.