Jeremiah 6:19

Authorized King James Version

Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
שִׁמְעִ֣י
Hear
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#2
הָאָ֔רֶץ
O earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#3
הִנֵּ֨ה
lo!
#4
אָנֹכִ֜י
i
#5
מֵבִ֥יא
behold I will bring
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#6
רָעָ֛ה
evil
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
#7
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#8
הָעָ֥ם
upon this people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#9
הַזֶּ֖ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#10
פְּרִ֣י
even the fruit
fruit (literally or figuratively)
#11
מַחְשְׁבוֹתָ֑ם
of their thoughts
a contrivance, i.e., (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan (whether bad, a plot; or good, advice)
#12
כִּ֤י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#13
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#14
דְּבָרַי֙
unto my words
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#15
לֹ֣א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#16
הִקְשִׁ֔יבוּ
because they have not hearkened
to prick up the ears, i.e., hearken
#17
וְתוֹרָתִ֖י
nor to my law
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
#18
וַיִּמְאֲסוּ
but rejected
to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear
#19
בָֽהּ׃
H0

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 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 covenant community in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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