Jeremiah 51:3

Authorized King James Version

Against him that bendeth let the archer bend his bow, and against him that lifteth himself up in his brigandine: and spare ye not her young men; destroy ye utterly all her host.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אֶֽל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#2
הַדֹּרֵךְ֙
Against him that bendeth
to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)
#3
הַדֹּרֵךְ֙
Against him that bendeth
to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)
#4
הַדֹּרֵךְ֙
Against him that bendeth
to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)
#5
קַשְׁתּ֔וֹ
his bow
a bow, for shooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris
#6
וְאֶל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#7
יִתְעַ֖ל
and against him that lifteth himself up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#8
בְּסִרְיֹנ֑וֹ
in his brigandine
a coat of mail
#9
וְאַֽל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#10
תַּחְמְלוּ֙
and spare
to commiserate; by implication, to spare
#11
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#12
בַּ֣חֻרֶ֔יהָ
ye not her young men
properly, selected, i.e., a youth (often collective)
#13
הַחֲרִ֖ימוּ
destroy ye utterly
to seclude; specifically (by a ban) to devote to religious uses (especially destruction); physical and reflexive, to be blunt as to the nose
#14
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#15
צְבָאָֽהּ׃
all her host
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

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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