Jeremiah 6:7

Authorized King James Version

As a fountain casteth out her waters, so she casteth out her wickedness: violence and spoil is heard in her; before me continually is grief and wounds.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הֵקֵ֣רָה
casteth out
to trench; by implication, to throw forth; to wall up, whether literal (to build a wall) or figurative (to estop)
#2
בַּ֙וִר֙
As a fountain
a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison)
#3
מֵימֶ֔יהָ
her waters
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#4
כֵּ֖ן
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
#5
הֵקֵ֣רָה
casteth out
to trench; by implication, to throw forth; to wall up, whether literal (to build a wall) or figurative (to estop)
#6
רָעָתָ֑הּ
her wickedness
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
#7
חָמָ֣ס
violence
violence; by implication, wrong; by metonymy unjust gain
#8
וָ֠שֹׁד
and spoil
violence, ravage
#9
יִשָּׁ֨מַע
is heard
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#10
בָּ֧הּ
H0
#11
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#12
פָּנַ֛י
in her before me
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#13
תָּמִ֖יד
continually
properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly); elliptically the re
#14
חֳלִ֥י
is grief
malady, anxiety, calamity
#15
וּמַכָּֽה׃
and wounds
a blow (in 2 chronicles 2:10, of the flail); by implication, a wound; figuratively, carnage, also pestilence

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 divine revelation 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

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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