Jeremiah 33:14-18 & 31:31-34
NL
33:14 AThe daysB are surely coming,C
A {untranslated} = hinneh. From hen (lo! Behold! If, though; an expression of surprise). This is to draw attention, show suddenness or surprise, or to emphasize the importance of the coming statement. See! Lo! Behold!
B “days” = yom. Root may mean being hot. This is the day in a literal or figurative sense. It can also mean birth, age, daylight, continually or other references to time.
C “coming” = bo. This is to enter, come in, advance, fulfill, bring offerings, enter to worship, attack. It can also have a sexual connotation.
saysD the Lord,E when I will fulfillF the promiseG
D “says” = neum. From na’am (to speak a prophecy; properly, to whisper, which implies saying an oracle). This is an utterance or speaking an oracle.
E “Lord” = YHVH. From havah (to be, become) or hayah (to come to pass, become, be). This is the name of the God of Israel, the self-existent and eternal one, the tetragrammaton. This pronunciation has been lost to time so “Lord” is generally used in its place.
F “fulfill” = qum. To arise, stand, accomplish, establish, abide. This is rising as in rising against, getting up after being sick or asleep, arising from one state to another, becoming powerful, or rising for action. It can also be standing in a figurative sense.
G “promise” = dabar + tob. Dabar is from dabar (to speak, declare, discuss). This is speech, a word, a matter, an affair, charge, command, message, promise, purpose, report, request. It is a word, which implies things that are spoken of in a wide sense. Tob is from tob (to be pleasing, to be good). This is good, beautiful, pleasant, agreeable, bountiful, at ease. This word is used for goodness as a concept, a good thing, a good person. This can refer to prosperity and welfare as well as joy, kindness, sweetness, and graciousness. So, this is ethically good, but also enjoyably good.
I madeH to the houseI of IsraelJ and the house of Judah.K
H “made” = dabar. Related to “promise” in v33:14. See note G above.
I “house” = bayit. Probably from banah (to build, make, set up, obtain children; to build literally or figuratively). This is house, court, family, palace, temple.
J “Israel” = Yisrael. From sarah (to persist, exert oneself, contend, persevere, wrestle, prevail) + El (God or god). This is Israel, meaning God strives or one who strives with God; new name for Jacob and for his offspring. This refers to the people and to the land.
K “Judah” = Yehudah. Probably from yadah (to throw one’s hands into the air in a gesture of praise); from yad (hand). This is Judah, meaning “praised.”
15 In those days and at that timeL I will cause a righteousM BranchN
L “time” = et. Probably from anah (to answer, sing, announce); from ad (forever, all, old); from adah (to pass on, advance, decorate oneself). This is a period or season. It can also mean whenever or continually.
M “righteous” = tsedaqah. From the same as tsedeq (rightness, righteousness, vindication. It is everything that is just or ethical. That which is right in a natural, moral, or legal sense. It also includes just weights (i.e. true weights). Figuratively, this is justice, righteousness, equity – even prosperity). This is righteousness, justice, righteous acts, and moral virtue.
N “Branch” = tsemach. Related to “cause…to spring up” in v33:15. 12x in O. From tsamach (see note O below). This is a sprout or growth, literal or figurative.
to spring upO for David,P and he shall executeQ justiceR
O “cause…to spring up” = tsamach. This is to sprout, grow, or spring up – literal or figurative.
P “David” = David. From the same as dod (beloved, love, uncle); the root may mean to boil, which is used figuratively to describe love. So, this implies someone you love such as a friend, a lover, or a close family member like an uncle. David’s name likely means something like “beloved one.”
Q “execute” = asah. This is to make, do, act, appoint, become in many senses.
R “justice” = mishpat. From shaphat (to judge, defend, pronounce judgment, condemn, govern). This is a verdict or formal sentence whether from humans or from God. It includes the act of judging as well as the place that judging takes place, the suit itself, and the penalty. Abstractly, this is justice, which includes the rights of the participants.
and righteousnessS in the land.T 16 In those days Judah will be saved,U and JerusalemV
S “righteousness” = tsedaqah. Same as “righteous” in v33:15. See note M above.
T “land” = erets. Root may mean to be firm. This is earth, ground, field land, or country.
U “saved” = yasha. To deliver, defend, help, preserve, rescue, be safe. Properly, to be open, wide or free, which implies being safe. Used causatively, it means to free.
V “Jerusalem” = Yerushalaim. From yarah (to throw, shoot, be stunned; to flow as water so figuratively to instruct or teach) + shalam (to make amends, to be complete or sound). This is Jerusalem, dwelling of peace.
will liveW in safety.X And this is the name by which it will be called:Y “The Lord is our righteousness.”Z
W “live” = shakan. This is to settle down in the sense of residing somewhere or staying there permanently. It can mean abide or continue. “Mishkan,” taken from this verb, is the Hebrew word for the Tabernacle (as a place where God abided).
X “safety” = betach. From batach (to hide for refuge, be secure or sure; figuratively, it refers to trust, being confident, or hoping). This is a place of refuge. So, abstractly, it can be confidence, security, hope, trust, or assurance.
Y “called” = qara. This is to call or call out – to call someone by name. Also used more broadly for calling forth.
Z “righteousness” = tsedeq. Related to “righteous” in v33:15. See note M above.
17 For thusAA saysBB the Lord: David shall never lackCC
AA “thus” = koh. Perhaps from ki (that, for when, certainly) + hu (he, she, it). This is like this, thus, here, now.
BB “says” = amar. This is to speak, say, answer, command, promise, report.
CC “shall…lack” = karat. This is to cut down, cut off, or make a covenant (idiom for making a covenant is “to cut a covenant”). It can also mean to destroy, fail, or consume.
a manDD to sitEE on the throneFF of the house of Israel,
DD “man” = ish. Perhaps from enosh (human, humankind, mortal); from anash (to be weak, sick, or frail). This is man, husband, another, or humankind.
EE “sit” = yashab. This is to sit and so to remain and so to dwell. It is sitting for any reason – as a judge, in order to ambush, or just sitting quietly. Causatively, this can mean settling or marrying. This can also mean continue, endure, or establish.
FF “throne” = kisse. From the same as kese (full moon); perhaps from kasah (to cover, conceal, overwhelm; to cover as clothes do or to hide a secret). This is throne – a seat that is covered or has a canopy. Thus, it is a seat that conveys authority.
18 and the LeviticalGG priestsHH shall never lack a man in my presenceII to offerJJ
GG “Levitical” = Leviyyi. From Levi (Levi; perhaps meaning “attached”; Jacob’s son, his tribe, and descendants); perhaps from lavah (to join, twine, unite, remain, borrow, lend). This is Levite or levitical.
HH “priests” = kohen. This is literally the one who officiates i.e. the priest. This is where the Jewish last name “Cohen” (and its variants) comes from.
II “presence” = paneh. From panah (to turn, face, appear). This is face in a literal or figurative sense. It could be face, presence, anger, respect. It can also be used of God to indicate divine favor or presence.
JJ “offer” = alah. This is to go up, approach, ascend, be high, be a priority; to arise in a literal or figurative sense.
burnt offerings,KK to makeLL grain offerings,MM
KK “burnt offerings” = olah. Related to “offer” in v33:18. From alah (see note JJ above). This is a step, stairs, or some kind of ascent. It is also used for whole burnt offerings, being the offering in which the whole thing is burned and rises as smoke. Burnt offerings were the least common of the offerings: most were eaten, shared with the priest and the one bringing the offering.
LL “make” = qatar. Perhaps from qetoreth (smoke, incense, the scent of the sacrifice as it burned); from the same as qitor (thick smoke, vapor). This is to make an offering, particular one of burned incense. It focuses on the fragrance made from the sacrificial fire. This is generally used to refer to worship.
MM “grain offerings” = minchah. This is a gift or an offering, particularly a sacrificial one that is generally bloodless and given spontaneously (voluntarily).
and to makeNN sacrificesOO for allPP time.QQ
NN “make” = asah. Same as “execute” in v33:15. See note Q above.
OO “sacrifices” = zebach. From zabach (to kill, slay, offer; slaughtering an animal to offer as a sacrifice). This is a slaughter – literally of an animal. So, it implies the act or the animals used in sacrifice. Further, it can mean offering.
PP “all” = kol. From kalal (to complete). This is all or every.
QQ “time” = yom. Same as “days” in v33:14. See note B above.
31:31 RRThe days are surely coming, saysSS the Lord, when I will makeTT a newUU covenantVV with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.
RR {untranslated} = hinneh. Same as {untranslated} in v33:14. See note A above.
SS “says” = neum. Same as “says” in v33:14. See note D above.
TT “make” = karat. Same as “shall…lack” in v33:17. See note CC above.
UU “new” = chadash. From chadash (to renew or restore, to repair or rebuild). This is something fresh or new.
VV “covenant” = berit. Perhaps from barah (to eat, choose, make clear); perhaps from bar (grain, wheat); from barar (to select, purify, cleanse, test, brighten, polish). This is a compact, covenant, alliance, treaty, or league.
32 It will not be like the covenant that I madeWW with their ancestorsXX whenYY I tookZZ them by the handAAA
WW “made” = karat. Same as “shall…lack” in v33:17. See note CC above.
XX “ancestors” = ab. This is father, chief, or ancestor. It is father in a literal or figurative sense.
YY “when” = yom. Literally, “in the day.” Yom is the same as “days” in v33:14. See note B above.
ZZ “took” = chazaq. This is to strengthen, seize, be courageous, repair, bind, heal, conquer, harden.
AAA “hand” = yad. This is hand, ability, power. Hand in a literal sense, but also what one can do or the means by which one does it.
to bringBBB them out of the land of EgyptCCC—a covenant that they broke,DDD though I was their husband,EEE saysFFF the Lord.
BBB “bring” = yatsa. This is to go or come out, bring forth, appear. It is to go out in a literal or figurative sense.
CCC “Egypt” = Mitsrayim. Perhaps from matsor (besieged or fortified place, bulwark, entrenchment; something hemmed in; a siege or distress or fastness); from tsur (to confine, besiege, to cramp). This is Egypt.
DDD “broke” = parar. This is to break, defeat, frustrate, cast off, clean, cease.
EEE “husband” = baal. 15x in OT. From ba’al (to marry, have dominion, be master). This is lord, owner, ally, master, or archer, husband.
FFF “says” = neum. Same as “says” in v33:14. See note D above.
33 But this is the covenant that I will makeGGG with the house of Israel afterHHH those days, saysIII the Lord:
I will putJJJ my lawKKK withinLLL them,
JJJ “put” = natan. This is to give, put, set, offer. It is to give literally or figuratively.
KKK “law” = torah. Related to “Jerusalem” in v33:16. From yarah (see note V above). This is law, instruction, teaching, or statute. It can also refer to the first five books of the Bible – the Torah.
LLL “within” = qereb. Perhaps from qarab (to come near or approach). This is among, in the midst, before, the center It is the inward part, whether literal or figurative. It can also be used for the heart, the site of thoughts and feelings. This word is also used as a technical term for the entrails of the animals who are sacrificed.
and I will writeMMM it on their hearts,NNN and I will beOOO
MMM “write” = kathab. This is to inscribe, write, record, or decree.
NNN “hearts” = leb. From the same as lebab (the heart, courage, one’s inner self, the mind, the will; only used in a figurative sense in the Bible); may be related to labab (to encourage; properly, to be encased as with fat; used in a good sense, this means to transport someone with love; used in a bad sense, it can mean to dull one’s senses).. This is inner self, mind, will, feelings, the center.
OOO “be” = hayah. Related to “Lord” in v33:14. See note E above.
their God,PPP and they shall be my people.QQQ 34 No longerRRR shall they teachSSS
PPP “God” = Elohim. Related to “Israel” in v33:14. See note J above.
QQQ “people” = am. From amam (to darken, hide, associate; creating shadows by huddling together). This is people or nation. It can be used specifically for a tribe, collectively of troops or armies, or figuratively to refer to a flock of animals.
RRR “longer” = od. From ud (to admonish, repeat, duplicate, testify, restore, record, relieve). This is still, yet, again, more.
SSS “teach” = lamad. Properly, this refers to goading (using a pointed stick to guide or prod one’s flock). By implication, it means teaching or instructing.
oneTTT anotherUUU or sayVVV to eachWWW other,XXX
TTT “one” = ish. Same as “man” in v33:17. See note DD above.
UUU “another” = rea. From raah (perhaps association with). This is an associate, companion, friend, neighbor, or other. It can also be used for close family or for a lover.
VVV “say” = amar. Same as “says” in v33:17. See note BB above.
WWW “each” = ish. Same as “man” in v33:17. See note DD above.
XXX “other” = ach. This is brother, kindred, another, other, like. It is literally brother, but it can also be someone who is similar, resembling, or related to.
“KnowYYY the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the leastZZZ of them to the greatest,AAAA saysBBBB the Lord,
YYY “know” = yada. This is to know, acknowledge, advise, answer, be aware, be acquainted with. Properly, this is to figure something out by seeing. It includes ideas of observation, recognition, and care about something. It can be used causatively for instruction, designation, and punishment.
ZZZ “least” = qatan. From quwt (grieved, cut off, to detest). This is least, small, young, little one. It is literally smaller whether in amount or size. Figuratively it is smaller in the sense of younger or less important.
AAAA “greatest” = gadol. From gadal (to grow up, become great, become wealthy – to advance. The root meaning may be to twist in the sense of the process of growing). This is great, high, bigger, noble, old, marvelous. It can also refer to someone who is powerful or distinguished.
BBBB “says” = neum. Same as “says” in v33:14. See note D above.
for I will forgiveCCCC their iniquityDDDD and rememberEEEE their sinFFFF no more.GGGG
CCCC “forgive” = salach. This is to forgive, pardon, spare.
DDDD “iniquity” = avon. Perhaps related to avah (to bend, twist, be amiss). This is sin, mischief, guilt, fault, punishment for iniquity, or moral evil.
EEEE “remember” = zakar. This is to remember, to mark something so that it can be recalled, to be mindful of, to mention.
FFFF “sin” = chatta’ah. From chata’ (to miss or go wrong and so to sin, bear the blame; it can also include the sense of forfeiting or lacking). This is sin itself as well as punishment for sin. It is sometimes used specifically to refer to sin that is habitual.
GGGG “more” = od. Same as “longer” in v31:34. See note RRR above.
Image credit: “Daniel episode 4: King Nebuchadnezzar’s madness” by David & Goliath (DG).
