Jeremiah 28:5-9
Proper 8A
5 Then the prophetA JeremiahB spoke to the prophet HananiahC
A “prophet” = nabi. This is prophet, prophecy, speaker, or someone inspired.
B “Jeremiah” = Yirmeyah. From the same as yirmeyah (Jeremiah, “the Lord loosens” or “the Lord will rise”); {from the same as remiyya (slack, idle, lazy, negligent) + Yah (a shortened form of the name of the God of Israel; God, Lord); {from YHVH (proper name of the God of Israel; God, Lord; the self-existent or eternal one); from havah (to become) or hayah (to be, become, happen)}}. This is Jeremiah, meaning “the Lord loosens” or “the Lord will rise.”
C “Hananiah” = Chananyah. Related to “Jeremiah” in v5. From chanan (beseech, show favor, be gracious; properly, to bend in kindness to someone with less status) + Yah (see note B above). This is Hananiah, meaning “the Lord has been gracious” or “the Lord has favored.
in the presenceD of the priestsE andF allG
D “presence” = ayin. This is eye in a literal or figurative sense so eye, appearance, favor, or a fountain (the eye of the landscape).
E “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.
F {untranslated} = ayin. Same as “presence” in v5. See note D above.
G “all” = kol. From kalal (to complete). This is all or every.
the peopleH who were standingI in the houseJ of the Lord,K
H “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.
I “standing” = amad. This is to stand up in a literal or figurative sense. So it can be establish, continue, endure, take a stand, act, be a servant, stand still, remain, stand against an enemy.
J “house” = bayit. Probably from banah (to build, make, set up, obtain children; to build literally or figuratively). This is house, court, family, palace, temple.
K “Lord” = YHVH. Related to “Jeremiah” and “Hananiah” in v5. See note B above.
6 and the prophet Jeremiah said, “Amen!L May the LordM doN so;O
L “amen” = amen. From aman (to believe, endure, fulfill, confirm, support, be faithful, put one’s trust in, be steadfast. Figuratively, this is to be firm, steadfast, or faithful, trusting, believing, being permanent, morally solid). This word is literally firmness, but figuratively fidelity, faithfulness, honesty, responsibility, trust, truth, steadfastness. Properly, it is to be sure, certain, or firm. This is a word of emphasis indicating that something crucial follows.
M “Lord” = YHVH. Related to “Jeremiah” and “Hananiah” and “Lord” in v5. From the same as YHVH (see note K above). It has a different vowel pointing, but the same meaning as “Lord.”
N “do” = asah. This is to make, do, act, appoint, become in many senses.
O “so” = ken. Perhaps from kun (properly, in a perpendicular position; literally, to establish, fix, fasten, prepare; figuratively, it is certainty, to be firm, faithfulness, render sure or prosperous). This is to set upright. Generally used figuratively to mean thus, so, afterwards, rightly so.
may the LordP fulfillQ the wordsR that you have prophesiedS
P “Lord” = YHVH. Same as “Lord” in v6. See note M above.
Q “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.
R “words” = dabar. 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.
S “prophesied” = naba. Related to “prophet” in v5. Related to nabi (see note A above). This is to prophesy. It can also refer to an ecstatic state – raving. It is associated with speech, song, teachings, and predictions.
and bring backT to this placeU from BabylonV
T “bring back” = shub. To turn back, return, turn away – literally or figuratively. Doesn’t necessarily imply going back to where you started from. This is also the root verb for the Hebrew word for repentance “teshubah.”
U “place” = maqom. Related to “fulfill” in v6. From qum(see note Q above). This is a standing, which is to say a spot or space a place. It can also refer to a locality or a physical/mental condition. HaMaqom is also a Jewish name for God – the place, i.e. the Omnipresent One.
V “Babylon” = Babel. Perhaps from balal (to anoint, mix, overflow) OR from Akkadian Bbilim; perhaps from earlier Sumerian name Ca-dimirra (gate of god). This is Babylon or Babel. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylon.
the vesselsW of the house of the LordX and all the exiles.Y
W “vessels” = keli. From kalah (to end, be finished, complete, prepare, consume, spent, or completely destroyed). This is something that was prepared – any implement, utensil, article, vessel, weapon, or instrument. Also includes jewels, weapons, bags, carriages, and furniture.
X “Lord” = YHVH. Same as “Lord” in v6. See note M above.
Y “exiles” = golah. From galah (to remove, bring, carry, lead, appear, advertise; to strip someone or something bare in a negative sense; captives were typically stripped before they were sent into exile; used figuratively, in a positive sense, this word means reveal, disclose, discover). This is exile, captive, captivity, removing, or carried away.
7 ButZ listenAA nowBB to this word that I speakCC in your hearingDD and in the hearing of all the people.
Z “but” = ak. Related to “so” in v6. Related to aken (surely, truly, nevertheless); from kun (see note O above). This is a positive statement – surely, also, certainly, alone, only.
AA “listen” = shama. This is to hear, call, consent, or consider. It implies listening intelligently, giving attention, and, because of these two factors, obedience and action are often implied.
BB “now” = na. This particle is used for requests or for urging. It can be we pray, now, I ask you, oh. This is the same “na” in “hosanna.”
CC “speak” = dabar. Related to “words” in v6. See note R above.
DD “hearing” = ozen. This is ear, hearing, audience, show. Properly, it is broadness – applied to its ear in reference to its shape.
8 The prophets who precededEE you andFF me from ancient timesGG
EE “preceded” = hayah + paneh. Literally, “have been before.” Hayah is related to “Jeremiah” and “Hananiah” and “Lord” in v5 & “Lord” in v6. See note B above. Paneh is 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.
FF {untranslated} = paneh. Same as “preceded” in v8. See note EE above.
GG “ancient times” = olam. This is a long scope of time whether in the past (antiquity, ancient time) or in the future (eternal, everlasting).
prophesied war,HH famine,II and pestilenceJJ
HH “war” = milchamah. From lacham (to eat or feed on; figuratively, to battle as a kind of consumption/destruction). This is battle, war, fighting, or one who fights (i.e. a warrior).
II “famine” = ra’. From ra’a’ (to be evil, bad, afflict; properly, to spoil – to destroy by breaking into pieces; figuratively, to cause something to be worthless; this is bad in a physical, social, or moral sense; that which displeases, to do harm or mischief, to punish or vex). This is bad, disagreeable, that which causes pain, misery, something having little or no value, something that is ethically bad, wicked, injury, calamity. This refers to anything that is not what it ought to be – a natural disaster, a disfigurement, an injury, a sin.
JJ “pestilence” = deber. Related to “words” in v6 & “speak” in v7. From dabar (see note R above). This is plague or thorns.
against manyKK countriesLL and greatMM kingdoms.NN
KK “many” = rab. From rabab (increasing in any aspect whether quantity, authority, size, quality, greatness, etc.). This is abundance, many, elder, exceedingly, great. It refers to abundance of amount, rank, or status.
LL “countries” = erets. Root may mean to be firm. This is earth, ground, field land, or country.
MM “great” = 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.
NN “kingdoms” = mamlakah. From the same as melek (king, royal). This is kingdom, dominion, sovereignty, rule. It can also refer to the realm.
9 As for the prophet who prophesies peace,OO when the word of that prophet comes true,PP then it will be knownQQ
OO “peace” = shalom. From shalam (to be complete or sound; to have safety mentally, physically, or extending to one’s estate; so, if these things are safe and complete, the implication is that one would be friendly; and, if being friendly, one would make amends and that friendship would be reciprocated). This is completeness, soundness, welfare, favor, friend, good health. It is to be safe and figuratively well, happy, at peace, friendly. Abstractly, it includes the ideas of welfare and prosperity (not in excessive wealth, but in having enough).
PP “comes true” = bo. This is to enter, come in, advance, fulfill, bring offerings, enter to worship, attack. It can also have a sexual connotation.
QQ “known” = 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.
that the LordRR has trulySS sentTT the prophet.”
RR “Lord” = YHVH. Same as “Lord” in v5. See note K above.
SS “truly” = emet. Related to “amen” in v6. From aman (see note L above). This is firmness or stability. Figuratively, it is faithfulness, truth, or trustworthiness. This is the same root that “amen” comes from.
TT “sent” = shalach. This is to send out, away, send for, forsake. It can also mean to divorce or set a slave free.
Image credit: “Looking to the East” by Ephraim Moses Lilien, 1901.