Jeremiah 9:12

Authorized King James Version

Who is the wise man, that may understand this? and who is he to whom the mouth of the LORD hath spoken, that he may declare it, for what the land perisheth and is burned up like a wilderness, that none passeth through?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
מִֽי
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
#2
הָאִ֤ישׁ
man
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)
#3
הֶֽחָכָם֙
Who is the wise
wise, (i.e., intelligent, skilful or artful)
#4
וְיָבֵ֣ן
that may understand
to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e., (generally) understand
#5
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#6
זֹ֔את
this (often used adverb)
#7
וַאֲשֶׁ֨ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#8
דִּבֶּ֧ר
hath spoken
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#9
פִּֽי
this and who is he to whom the mouth
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
#10
יְהוָ֛ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#11
אֵלָ֖יו
near, with or among; often in general, to
#12
וְיַגִּדָ֑הּ
that he may declare
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
#13
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#14
מָה֙
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#15
אָבְדָ֣ה
H6
perisheth
properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
#16
הָאָ֔רֶץ
it for what the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#17
נִצְּתָ֥ה
and is burned up
to burn or set on fire; figuratively, to desolate
#18
כַמִּדְבָּ֖ר
like a wilderness
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
#19
מִבְּלִ֖י
properly, failure, i.e., nothing or destruction; usually (with preposition) without, not yet, because not, as long as, etc
#20
עֹבֵֽר׃
that none passeth through
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Jeremiah. The concept of divine sovereignty 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 divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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