Jeremiah 51:30

Authorized King James Version

The mighty men of Babylon have forborn to fight, they have remained in their holds: their might hath failed; they became as women: they have burned her dwellingplaces; her bars are broken.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
חָדְלוּ֩
have forborn
properly, to be flabby, i.e., (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle
#2
גִבּוֹרֵ֨י
The mighty men
powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant
#3
בָבֶ֜ל
of Babylon
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
#4
לְהִלָּחֵ֗ם
to fight
to feed on; figuratively, to consume
#5
יָֽשְׁבוּ֙
they have remained
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
#6
בַּמְּצָד֔וֹת
in their holds
a fastness (as a covert of ambush)
#7
נָשְׁתָ֥ה
hath failed
properly, to eliminate, i.e., (intransitively) to dry up
#8
גְבוּרָתָ֖ם
their might
force (literally or figuratively); by implication, valor, victory
#9
הָי֣וּ
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#10
לְנָשִׁ֑ים
they became as women
a woman
#11
הִצִּ֥יתוּ
they have burned
to burn or set on fire; figuratively, to desolate
#12
מִשְׁכְּנֹתֶ֖יהָ
her dwellingplaces
a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the temple); specifically, the tabernacle (properly, its w
#13
נִשְׁבְּר֥וּ
are broken
to burst (literally or figuratively)
#14
בְרִיחֶֽיהָ׃
her bars
a bolt

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

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 revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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