Jeremiah 51:46

Authorized King James Version

And lest your heart faint, and ye fear for the rumour that shall be heard in the land; a rumour shall both come one year, and after that in another year shall come a rumour, and violence in the land, ruler against ruler.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּפֶן
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
#2
יֵרַ֤ךְ
faint
to soften (intransitively or transitively), used figuratively
#3
לְבַבְכֶם֙
And lest your heart
the heart (as the most interior organ)
#4
וְתִֽירְא֔וּ
and ye fear
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
#5
הַשְּׁמוּעָ֔ה
a rumour
something heard, i.e., an announcement
#6
הַנִּשְׁמַ֣עַת
that shall be heard
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#7
בָּאָ֔רֶץ
in the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#8
וּבָ֧א
shall both come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#9
בַּשָּׁנָה֙
one year
a year (as a revolution of time)
#10
הַשְּׁמוּעָ֔ה
a rumour
something heard, i.e., an announcement
#11
וְאַחֲרָ֤יו
and after
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#12
בַּשָּׁנָה֙
one year
a year (as a revolution of time)
#13
הַשְּׁמוּעָ֔ה
a rumour
something heard, i.e., an announcement
#14
וְחָמָ֣ס
and violence
violence; by implication, wrong; by metonymy unjust gain
#15
בָּאָ֔רֶץ
in the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#16
מֹשֵֽׁל׃
against ruler
to rule
#17
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#18
מֹשֵֽׁל׃
against ruler
to rule

Analysis

This verse develops the kingdom of God theme central to Jeremiah. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of kingdom of God 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 kingdom of God 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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