Jeremiah 9:16

Authorized King James Version

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I will scatter them also among the heathen, whom neither they nor their fathers have known: and I will send a sword after them, till I have consumed them.

Original Language Analysis

וַהֲפִֽצוֹתִים֙ I will scatter H6327
וַהֲפִֽצוֹתִים֙ I will scatter
Strong's: H6327
Word #: 1 of 14
to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse)
בַּגּוֹיִ֔ם them also among the heathen H1471
בַּגּוֹיִ֔ם them also among the heathen
Strong's: H1471
Word #: 2 of 14
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
אֲשֶׁר֙ H834
אֲשֶׁר֙
Strong's: H834
Word #: 3 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹ֣א H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 4 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָֽדְע֔וּ have known H3045
יָֽדְע֔וּ have known
Strong's: H3045
Word #: 5 of 14
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
הֵ֖מָּה H1992
הֵ֖מָּה
Strong's: H1992
Word #: 6 of 14
they (only used when emphatic)
וַֽאֲבוֹתָ֑ם whom neither they nor their fathers H1
וַֽאֲבוֹתָ֑ם whom neither they nor their fathers
Strong's: H1
Word #: 7 of 14
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וְשִׁלַּחְתִּ֤י and I will send H7971
וְשִׁלַּחְתִּ֤י and I will send
Strong's: H7971
Word #: 8 of 14
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אַֽחֲרֵיהֶם֙ after H310
אַֽחֲרֵיהֶם֙ after
Strong's: H310
Word #: 9 of 14
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 10 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַחֶ֔רֶב a sword H2719
הַחֶ֔רֶב a sword
Strong's: H2719
Word #: 11 of 14
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
עַ֥ד H5704
עַ֥ד
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 12 of 14
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
כַּלּוֹתִ֖י them till I have consumed H3615
כַּלּוֹתִ֖י them till I have consumed
Strong's: H3615
Word #: 13 of 14
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
אוֹתָֽם׃ H853
אוֹתָֽם׃
Strong's: H853
Word #: 14 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

Analysis & Commentary

This verse describes scattering judgment: 'I will scatter them also among the heathen, whom neither they nor their fathers have known.' The Hebrew patsats (פָּצַץ, scatter, disperse) with goyim (גּוֹיִם, nations) describes exile among foreign peoples. 'Whom neither they nor their fathers have known' emphasizes the foreignness, alienation, and disorientation of exile—not just distant but completely unknown territory. 'And I will send a sword after them, till I have consumed them' indicates that exile itself wasn't the complete judgment—persecution, warfare, and death would pursue them even in dispersion. The 'sword' (cherev) follows them; there is no escape.

Historical Context

The Babylonian exile scattered Judeans across the Neo-Babylonian Empire. Some fled to Egypt (Jeremiah 43-44); others were resettled throughout Mesopotamia. The promise of continuing sword fulfills Deuteronomy 28:64-67's curse of dispersion with fear and trembling. Historical records show that Jewish communities in Babylon and Egypt faced various persecutions over subsequent centuries, though some also prospered.

Questions for Reflection

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