Jeremiah 8:3

Authorized King James Version

And death shall be chosen rather than life by all the residue of them that remain of this evil family, which remain in all the places whither I have driven them, saith the LORD of hosts.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְנִבְחַ֥ר
shall be chosen
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
#2
מָ֙וֶת֙
And death
death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
#3
מֵֽחַיִּי֔ם
rather than life
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
#4
לְכֹ֗ל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#5
הַשְּׁאֵרִית֙
by all the residue
a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion
#6
הַנִּשְׁאָרִים֙
of them that remain
properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant
#7
מִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#8
הַמִּשְׁפָּחָ֥ה
family
a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
#9
הָֽרָעָ֖ה
of this evil
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
#10
הַזֹּ֑את
this (often used adverb)
#11
בְּכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#12
הַמְּקֹמ֤וֹת
in all the places
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
#13
הַנִּשְׁאָרִים֙
of them that remain
properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant
#14
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#15
הִדַּחְתִּ֣ים
whither I have driven
to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.)
#16
שָׁ֔ם
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
#17
נְאֻ֖ם
them saith
an oracle
#18
יְהוָ֥ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#19
צְבָאֽוֹת׃
of hosts
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 life reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood life. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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