Jeremiah 9:7

Authorized King James Version

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Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, I will melt them, and try them; for how shall I do for the daughter of my people?

Original Language Analysis

לָכֵ֗ן H3651
לָכֵ֗ן
Strong's: H3651
Word #: 1 of 14
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
כֹּ֤ה H3541
כֹּ֤ה
Strong's: H3541
Word #: 2 of 14
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
אָמַר֙ Therefore thus saith H559
אָמַר֙ Therefore thus saith
Strong's: H559
Word #: 3 of 14
to say (used with great latitude)
יְהוָ֣ה the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֣ה the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 4 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֔וֹת of hosts H6635
צְבָא֔וֹת of hosts
Strong's: H6635
Word #: 5 of 14
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
הִנְנִ֥י H2005
הִנְנִ֥י
Strong's: H2005
Word #: 6 of 14
lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if
צוֹרְפָ֖ם Behold I will melt H6884
צוֹרְפָ֖ם Behold I will melt
Strong's: H6884
Word #: 7 of 14
to fuse (metal), i.e., refine (literally or figuratively)
וּבְחַנְתִּ֑ים them and try H974
וּבְחַנְתִּ֑ים them and try
Strong's: H974
Word #: 8 of 14
to test (especially metals); generally and figuratively, to investigate
כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 9 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֵ֣יךְ H349
אֵ֣יךְ
Strong's: H349
Word #: 10 of 14
how? or how!; also where
אֶעֱשֶׂ֔ה them for how shall I do H6213
אֶעֱשֶׂ֔ה them for how shall I do
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 11 of 14
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
מִפְּנֵ֖י for H6440
מִפְּנֵ֖י for
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 12 of 14
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
בַּת the daughter H1323
בַּת the daughter
Strong's: H1323
Word #: 13 of 14
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
עַמִּֽי׃ of my people H5971
עַמִּֽי׃ of my people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 14 of 14
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

Analysis & Commentary

This verse announces coming judgment: 'Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, I will melt them, and try them.' The metallurgical imagery uses tsaraph (צָרַף, to smelt, refine) and bachan (בָּחַן, to test, assay). God's judgment functions as a refiner's fire, testing metal for purity by melting. 'For how shall I do for the daughter of my people?' This rhetorical question reveals divine pathos—what other option exists for a people so thoroughly corrupt? The question is not about divine capability but divine necessity. Judgment is not arbitrary punishment but the only remedy for systemic sin. God asks how else He could deal with such persistent unfaithfulness.

Historical Context

Metallurgical imagery appears throughout prophetic literature (Ezekiel 22:17-22, Malachi 3:2-3). Ancient Near Eastern smelting technology was well-known in Judah; excavations reveal numerous metal workshops. The refining process separated precious metal from dross (impurities). God's judgment would similarly separate faithful remnant from unfaithful majority. Yet as Jeremiah 6:29-30 suggests, this particular 'smelting' would find no silver—only dross to be discarded.

Questions for Reflection

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