Jeremiah 50:9

Authorized King James Version

For, lo, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north country: and they shall set themselves in array against her; from thence she shall be taken: their arrows shall be as of a mighty expert man; none shall return in vain.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
כִּ֣י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#2
הִנֵּ֣ה
lo!
#3
אָנֹכִ֡י
i
#4
מֵעִיר֩
For lo I will raise
to wake (literally or figuratively)
#5
וּמַעֲלֶ֨ה
and cause to come up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#6
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#7
בָּבֶ֜ל
against Babylon
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
#8
קְהַל
an assembly
assemblage (usually concretely)
#9
גּוֹיִ֤ם
nations
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
#10
גְּדֹלִים֙
of great
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
#11
מֵאֶ֣רֶץ
country
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#12
צָפ֔וֹן
from the north
properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)
#13
וְעָ֣רְכוּ
and they shall set themselves in array
to set in a row, i.e., arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications)
#14
לָ֔הּ
H0
#15
מִשָּׁ֖ם
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
#16
תִּלָּכֵ֑ד
against her from thence she shall be taken
to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere
#17
חִצָּיו֙
their arrows
properly, a piercer, i.e., an arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, (of god) thunder-bolt; the shaft of a spear
#18
כְּגִבּ֣וֹר
shall be as of a mighty
powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant
#19
מַשְׁכִּ֔יל
expert man
to be (causatively, make or act) circumspect and hence, intelligent
#20
לֹ֥א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#21
יָשׁ֖וּב
none shall return
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#22
רֵיקָֽם׃
in vain
emptily; figuratively (objective) ineffectually, (subjective) undeservedly

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 covenant community 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 historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood covenant community. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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