Jeremiah 9:10

Authorized King James Version

For the mountains will I take up a weeping and wailing, and for the habitations of the wilderness a lamentation, because they are burned up, so that none can pass through them; neither can men hear the voice of the cattle; both the fowl of the heavens and the beast are fled; they are gone.

Word-by-Word Analysis

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הֶ֨הָרִ֜ים

H2022

For the mountains

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

אֶשָּׂ֧א

H5375

will I take up

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

בְכִ֣י

H1065

a weeping

a weeping; by analogy, a dripping

וָנֶ֗הִי

H5092

and wailing

an elegy

וְעַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

נְא֤וֹת

H4999

and for the habitations

a home; figuratively, a pasture

מִדְבָּר֙

H4057

of the wilderness

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

קִינָ֔ה

H7015

a lamentation

a dirge (as accompanied by beating the breasts or on instruments)

#10

כִּ֤י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#11

נִצְּתוּ֙

H3341

because they are burned up

to burn or set on fire; figuratively, to desolate

#12

מִבְּלִי

H1097

properly, failure, i.e., nothing or destruction; usually (with preposition) without, not yet, because not, as long as, etc

#13

אִ֣ישׁ

H376

so that none

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

#14

עֹבֵ֔ר

H5674

can pass

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

#15

וְלֹ֥א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#16

שָׁמְע֖וּ

H8085

through them neither can men hear

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

#17

ק֣וֹל

H6963

the voice

a voice or sound

#18

מִקְנֶ֑ה

H4735

of the cattle

something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition

#19

מֵע֤וֹף

H5775

both the fowl

a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often collectively

#20

הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙

H8064

of the heavens

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

#21

וְעַד

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

#22

בְּהֵמָ֔ה

H929

and the beast

properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)

#23

נָדְד֖וּ

H5074

are fled

properly, to wave to and fro (rarely to flap up and down); figuratively, to rove, flee, or (causatively) to drive away

#24

הָלָֽכוּ׃

H1980

they are gone

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

Analysis

Within the broader context of Jeremiah, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Jeremiah.

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

In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?

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