Jeremiah 1:12, was KJV misinterpreted?

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TM19782017

Active member
Dec 15, 2018
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#1
I stumbled upon Jeremiah 1:12 today and saw a word that I did not know the definition of, hasten.

Hasten - be quick to do something
This came from KJV

Now upon reading all the other translations, the topic of speed(quick)can no way be interpreted. They all basically reiterate that God will do it. No mention of time.

So my question is, did someone misinterpret a prior version of the Bible or did the ones that followed, mistranslate?
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
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#2
Now upon reading all the other translations, the topic of speed(quick)can no way be interpreted. They all basically reiterate that God will do it. No mention of time.
That is neither "hasten" nor "God will do it". שֹׁקֵ֥ד (sho·ked) means to keep watch of or to be wakeful over. Several translation have this correctly rendered.
 
Nov 23, 2013
13,684
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#3
I stumbled upon Jeremiah 1:12 today and saw a word that I did not know the definition of, hasten.

Hasten - be quick to do something
This came from KJV

Now upon reading all the other translations, the topic of speed(quick)can no way be interpreted. They all basically reiterate that God will do it. No mention of time.

So my question is, did someone misinterpret a prior version of the Bible or did the ones that followed, mistranslate?
It's not mis-translated, the verse is talking about the judgement against Israel and is also spoken of in Ezekiel.

Eze 12:25 For I am the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord GOD.
 
Mar 28, 2016
15,954
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#4
That is neither "hasten" nor "God will do it". שֹׁקֵ֥ד (sho·ked) means to keep watch of or to be wakeful over. Several translation have this correctly rendered.
I would offer..
In one sense the word of God, as God's perfect law is that which quickens our souls in the twinkling of the eye. . . giving us simple ones his understanding as that which works in us to both will and perform his good pleasure (Psalms 19: 7-9) .

Being with us (verse 8) in order to deliver us. He is a watching that we perform it according to pleasure of His will , using the metaphor as the "rod of a almond tree" .the sign of rebellion to those who refuse to believe scripture. . . the prophecy or tongue of God.

Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord. Jerimiah 1: 8

Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree.
Then said the Lord unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it
. Jerimiah 1: 11;12

You could say Jerimiah ate the fruit of the almond tree. . . the rod for the back of faithless rebels as a sign against them .

A confirmation of the faith of Christ that we have in these earthen body of clay. His Spirit witnesses to our new spirit move foward.

2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
 
Nov 23, 2013
13,684
1,212
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#5
I would offer..
In one sense the word of God, as God's perfect law is that which quickens our souls in the twinkling of the eye. . . giving us simple ones his understanding as that which works in us to both will and perform his good pleasure (Psalms 19: 7-9) .

Being with us (verse 8) in order to deliver us. He is a watching that we perform it according to pleasure of His will , using the metaphor as the "rod of a almond tree" .the sign of rebellion to those who refuse to believe scripture. . . the prophecy or tongue of God.

Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord. Jerimiah 1: 8

Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree.
Then said the Lord unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it
. Jerimiah 1: 11;12

You could say Jerimiah ate the fruit of the almond tree. . . the rod for the back of faithless rebels as a sign against them .

A confirmation of the faith of Christ that we have in these earthen body of clay. His Spirit witnesses to our new spirit move foward.

2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
If not mistaken, the rod in the verse is Jesus Christ.
 
Mar 23, 2016
7,021
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#6
Here is what I found in some commentaries:


Ellicott's Commentary:

I will hasten. —The Hebrew, by using a participle formed from the same root (shôkêd), presents a play upon the name of the "almond," as the watcher, which it is impossible to reproduce; literally, I, too, am watching over my word to perform it.


Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary:

God gave Jeremiah a view of the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem by the Chaldeans. The almond-tree, which is more forward in the spring than any other, represented the speedy approach of judgments. God also showed whence the intended ruin should arise. Jeremiah saw a seething-pot boiling, representing Jerusalem and Judah in great commotion.


Jamieson-Faussett Brown Bible Commentary:

hasten—rather, "I will be wakeful as to My word," &c.; alluding to Jer 1:11, "the wakeful tree" [Maurer].


Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible:

Then said the Lord unto me, thou hast well seen,.... The thing seen is a very proper emblem of what I am about to do, and the quick dispatch that will be made therein:

for l will hasten my word to perform it; the words , "shoked ani", "I will hasten", or "I am hastening", are in allusion to "shoked", the name of the almond tree in Hebrew; which is so called because it is quick and early, and, as it were, hastens to bring forth its flowers, leaves, and fruit; in like manner the Lord says he would hasten to perform what he had said or should say by him concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, and the captivity of the people, and every thing else he should give him in commission to say.


Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges:

I watch over] The Hebrew word recurs in Jeremiah 5:6, Jeremiah 31:28, Jeremiah 44:27. Here the sense is, The Lord is rousing Himself. The period of trial is rapidly approaching its end, and the punishment so long delayed is about to be at last inflicted.


Pulpit Commentary:

Verse 12. - I will hasten my word; literally, I am wakeful over my word; alluding to the meaning of the Hebrew word for almond.


https://biblehub.com/commentaries/jeremiah/1-12.htm
 

Deuteronomy

Well-known member
Jun 11, 2018
3,334
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68
#7
I will add these two commentary sources as well.

King James Bible Commentary
11–12. Two signs were given the prophet as sort of an outline of his prophetic ministry. The first was that of a rod of an almond tree. The Hebrew name for almond is wakeful; it is the first tree in Palestine to wake from its winter sleep, beginning to blossom in January. God interprets this symbol in verse 12 as the certain fulfillment of His Word. Jeremiah uses a play on similar sounding words here between almond tree (Heb shagēd) and I will hasten (Heb shōqēd, meaning watchover). To make this rod (Heb maqēl, stick or branch) a rod of correction, as do some commentators (cf. Lange pp. 22–23 and Keil pp. 42–43), seems to force the meaning. The symbol of the almond rod or branch was intended only to assure the prophet of the certain fulfillment of his prophecies. The contents of his preaching-judgment would be illustrated by the second symbol. ~Hindson, E. E., & Kroll, W. M. (Eds.). (1994). KJV Bible Commentary (p. 1431). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
King James Version Study Bible
1:11, 12. There is a play on sounds here in the Hebrew text. The word translated almond (shaqēd) has the same root as the word rendered hasten (shōqēd). As the early blossoming almond tree gave promise of the later spring fruit, so God would watch over His word to bring it to fruition. ~King James Version study Bible . (1997) Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Perhaps this should be considered too? The first known use of "hasten" was in 1563. I wonder what that word actually meant back then :unsure: For instance, if we were alive in 1611 England and I said, "that woman is really cute", you would have understood me to mean, "that woman is really bowlegged".

The meaning of many other words have changed, to one degree or another, over time (though "hasten", from what I've been able to discover, does not appear to be one of them). Does anyone know anything more about its etymology?

Thanks!

~Deut
 
Nov 23, 2013
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#8
I will add these two commentary sources as well.

King James Bible Commentary
11–12. Two signs were given the prophet as sort of an outline of his prophetic ministry. The first was that of a rod of an almond tree. The Hebrew name for almond is wakeful; it is the first tree in Palestine to wake from its winter sleep, beginning to blossom in January. God interprets this symbol in verse 12 as the certain fulfillment of His Word. Jeremiah uses a play on similar sounding words here between almond tree (Heb shagēd) and I will hasten (Heb shōqēd, meaning watchover). To make this rod (Heb maqēl, stick or branch) a rod of correction, as do some commentators (cf. Lange pp. 22–23 and Keil pp. 42–43), seems to force the meaning. The symbol of the almond rod or branch was intended only to assure the prophet of the certain fulfillment of his prophecies. The contents of his preaching-judgment would be illustrated by the second symbol. ~Hindson, E. E., & Kroll, W. M. (Eds.). (1994). KJV Bible Commentary (p. 1431). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
King James Version Study Bible
1:11, 12. There is a play on sounds here in the Hebrew text. The word translated almond (shaqēd) has the same root as the word rendered hasten (shōqēd). As the early blossoming almond tree gave promise of the later spring fruit, so God would watch over His word to bring it to fruition. ~King James Version study Bible . (1997) Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Perhaps this should be considered too? The first known use of "hasten" was in 1563. I wonder what that word actually meant back then :unsure: For instance, if we were alive in 1611 England and I said, "that woman is really cute", you would have understood me to mean, "that woman is really bowlegged".

The meaning of many other words have changed, to one degree or another, over time (though "hasten", from what I've been able to discover, does not appear to be one of them). Does anyone know anything more about its etymology?

Thanks!

~Deut
haste (v.)

late 13c., from Old French haster "hurry, make haste; urge, hurry along" (Modern French hâter), from haste "haste, urgency" (see haste). Now largely superseded by hasten (1560s). Related: Hasted; hasting.
 
Mar 28, 2016
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#9
If not mistaken, the rod in the verse is Jesus Christ.
I would think the father is the one who weilds it . . . the rod for the back of the rebels .The fruit as the tree of life almonds for those who do have faith coming from prophecy hearing God.

Twice it is used in Numbers in different parables for different time periods leading towards the promised land. . .The second time a parable is used it helps us understand why Moses the law giver will not enter the new order in the new heavens and earth. The letter that kills signified by Moses. It will not enter the promised land the heavenly Jerusalem. It will not rise to condemn the new creation.

The rod a sign for the rebels that will not believe prophecy as faith . . . the fruit of the almond tree .Fruit for the eater a rod for the back .

And it shall come to pass, that the man's rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom: and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel, whereby they murmur against you. And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, and every one of their princes gave him a rod apiece, for each prince one, according to their fathers' houses, even twelve rods: and the rod of Aaron was among their rods. And Moses laid up the rods before the Lord in the tabernacle of witness.And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds. And Moses brought out all the rods from before the Lord unto all the children of Israel: and they looked, and took every man his rod. And the Lord said unto Moses, Bring Aaron's rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not .Numbers 17: 5-10

And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.Numbers 20:10

Moses representing the law of God was to speak to the Rock once. . by striking it, it representing Christ as per Isaiah 53. The law of the father striking the Son. . as the gospel came out as living water. . Striking Christ put him in double jeopardy as if he was crucified over and over. .The letter of the law signified by Moses will not enter

Proverbs 10:13 In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
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#10
It's not mis-translated, the verse is talking about the judgement against Israel and is also spoken of in Ezekiel.

Eze 12:25 For I am the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord GOD.
That is a valid INTERPRETATION but not an accurate translation. Unlike modern versions, the KJV generally avoids interpretation, but it applies in this case.

Strong's Concordance
shaqad: to watch, wake
Original Word: שָׁקַד
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: shaqad
Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-kad')

Definition: to watch, wake

Brown-Driver-Briggs
שָׁקַד verb watch, wake (Phoenician שקר be circumspect; Late Hebrew שָׁקַד be insistent; see ᵑ7שְׁקֵד = Biblical Hebrew); —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳שׁ Psalm 127:1,שָׁקַ֫דְתִּי Jeremiah 31:28; Psalm 102:8;Imperfect3masculine singular יִשְׁק֑וֺד Job 21:32 (Me Buיִשְׁוֹ֑דוּ), וַיִּשְׁקֹד Daniel 9:14, 1singular אֶשְׁקֹד Jeremiah 31:28; Imperative masculine plural שִׁקְדוּ Ezra 8:29;Infinitive construct לִשְׁקֹד Proverbs 8:34; Participle active שֹׁקֵד Jeremiah 1:12 +; plural construct שֹׁקְדֵיIsaiah 29:20; —

1 keep watch of, be wakeful over, ׳י subject, עַל person, to benefit or injure Jeremiah 31:28 (twice in verse); Jeremiah 44:27; עַל thing, to perform it Jeremiah 1:12; Daniel 9:14; so (men subject) שֹׁקְדֵי אָוֶן Isaiah 29:20; of leopard watching לְַעָֿרֵיהֶם Jeremiah 5:6 (to seize prey, figurative); of man watching (for admission) at (עַל) wisdom's doors Proverbs 8:34 ("" שָׁמַר); = keep guard over (עַל) Job 21:32, compare (absolute) וְשִׁמְרוּ ׳שׁ Ezra 8:29 and (of watchman, שֹׁמֵר) Psalm 127:1.

2 be wakeful, wake, as mourner, sufferer Psalm 102:8. — Lamentations 1:14 read perhaps


 

maxwel

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2013
9,526
2,608
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#12
They didn’t make super hot women back then. 😊

Check the oil paintings bro!

JK..... Beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder.

Brother Deuteronomy picked a very clever name.

No one here can say "I disagree with Deuteronomy" without sounding like a heretic.

..
 

maxwel

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2013
9,526
2,608
113
#13
I may change my name to Second Corinthians.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,833
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#14
Perhaps this should be considered too? The first known use of "hasten" was in 1563. I wonder what that word actually meant back then :unsure:
probably composed between 1590-1605..

LX
Like as the waves make towards the pebbled shore,
So do our minutes hasten to their end;
Each changing place with that which goes before,
In sequent toil all forwards do contend.
Nativity, once in the main of light,
Crawls to maturity, wherewith being crown'd,
Crooked eclipses 'gainst his glory fight,
And Time that gave doth now his gift confound.
Time doth transfix the flourish set on youth
And delves the parallels in beauty's brow,
Feeds on the rarities of nature's truth,
And nothing stands but for his scythe to mow:
And yet to times in hope, my verse shall stand
Praising thy worth, despite his cruel hand.
- Shakespeare
 
Nov 23, 2013
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#15
I would think the father is the one who weilds it . . . the rod for the back of the rebels .The fruit as the tree of life almonds for those who do have faith coming from prophecy hearing God.

Twice it is used in Numbers in different parables for different time periods leading towards the promised land. . .The second time a parable is used it helps us understand why Moses the law giver will not enter the new order in the new heavens and earth. The letter that kills signified by Moses. It will not enter the promised land the heavenly Jerusalem. It will not rise to condemn the new creation.

The rod a sign for the rebels that will not believe prophecy as faith . . . the fruit of the almond tree .Fruit for the eater a rod for the back .

And it shall come to pass, that the man's rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom: and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel, whereby they murmur against you. And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, and every one of their princes gave him a rod apiece, for each prince one, according to their fathers' houses, even twelve rods: and the rod of Aaron was among their rods. And Moses laid up the rods before the Lord in the tabernacle of witness.And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds. And Moses brought out all the rods from before the Lord unto all the children of Israel: and they looked, and took every man his rod. And the Lord said unto Moses, Bring Aaron's rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not .Numbers 17: 5-10

And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.Numbers 20:10

Moses representing the law of God was to speak to the Rock once. . by striking it, it representing Christ as per Isaiah 53. The law of the father striking the Son. . as the gospel came out as living water. . Striking Christ put him in double jeopardy as if he was crucified over and over. .The letter of the law signified by Moses will not enter

Proverbs 10:13 In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
There is also another rod in the bible.

Isa 11:1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

These verses are that rod ^.
Jer 1:11 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree.
Jer 1:12 Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.

This is what happened when they killed the Lord's rod.
Jer 1:13 And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying, What seest thou? And I said, I see a seething pot; and the face thereof is toward the north.
Jer 1:14 Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land.
Jer 1:15 For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the LORD; and they shall come, and they shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of Judah.

Obviously vision 1 is about a rod coming. Vision 2 is obviously the destruction of Israel in AD 70.
 
Nov 23, 2013
13,684
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#17
That is a valid INTERPRETATION but not an accurate translation. Unlike modern versions, the KJV generally avoids interpretation, but it applies in this case.

Strong's Concordance
shaqad: to watch, wake
Original Word: שָׁקַד
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: shaqad
Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-kad')

Definition: to watch, wake

Brown-Driver-Briggs
שָׁקַד verb watch, wake (Phoenician שקר be circumspect; Late Hebrew שָׁקַד be insistent; see ᵑ7שְׁקֵד = Biblical Hebrew); —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳שׁ Psalm 127:1,שָׁקַ֫דְתִּי Jeremiah 31:28; Psalm 102:8;Imperfect3masculine singular יִשְׁק֑וֺד Job 21:32 (Me Buיִשְׁוֹ֑דוּ), וַיִּשְׁקֹד Daniel 9:14, 1singular אֶשְׁקֹד Jeremiah 31:28; Imperative masculine plural שִׁקְדוּ Ezra 8:29;Infinitive construct לִשְׁקֹד Proverbs 8:34; Participle active שֹׁקֵד Jeremiah 1:12 +; plural construct שֹׁקְדֵיIsaiah 29:20; —

1 keep watch of, be wakeful over, ׳י subject, עַל person, to benefit or injure Jeremiah 31:28 (twice in verse); Jeremiah 44:27; עַל thing, to perform it Jeremiah 1:12; Daniel 9:14; so (men subject) שֹׁקְדֵי אָוֶן Isaiah 29:20; of leopard watching לְַעָֿרֵיהֶם Jeremiah 5:6 (to seize prey, figurative); of man watching (for admission) at (עַל) wisdom's doors Proverbs 8:34 ("" שָׁמַר); = keep guard over (עַל) Job 21:32, compare (absolute) וְשִׁמְרוּ ׳שׁ Ezra 8:29 and (of watchman, שֹׁמֵר) Psalm 127:1.

2 be wakeful, wake, as mourner, sufferer Psalm 102:8. — Lamentations 1:14 read perhaps
A rod is coming, then after that the destruction of Israel.
Who else could that rod be other than Christ?

Does it make sense that God is going "watch" his word to perform it? No it doesn't
Dose it make sense that God is going to hasten the coming of Christ to destroy those miserable sinners? Yes it does because we are told that same thing in other scripture.

Eze 12:25 For I am the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord GOD.
 

maxwel

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2013
9,526
2,608
113
#18
[QUOTE="posthuman, post: 3999833, member: 170505"
Meisje_met_de_parel.jpg


by Vermeer, 1665[/QUOTE]

If I saw that girl today, I'd think:
"Not too shabby for a girl with a set of drapes on her head...
and a look on her face like she knows I did something.

.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
60,134
29,451
113
#19
I would offer..
In one sense the word of God, as God's perfect law is that which quickens our souls in the twinkling of the eye. . . giving us simple ones his understanding as that which works in us to both will and perform his good pleasure (Psalms 19: 7-9) .
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,429
6,707
113
#20
I stumbled upon Jeremiah 1:12 today and saw a word that I did not know the definition of, hasten.

Hasten - be quick to do something
This came from KJV

Now upon reading all the other translations, the topic of speed(quick)can no way be interpreted. They all basically reiterate that God will do it. No mention of time.

So my question is, did someone misinterpret a prior version of the Bible or did the ones that followed, mistranslate?
Hasten is the imperative of to hasten and means to hurry or be quick. Hastily is the same as quickly. Make haste means to hurry (be quick). Ib haste or hastily is to be quck. Perhaps the language use has changed but the meaning of words is fairly easy to ressearch. Now I must make hast, lots on my morning plate.