בִּבְכִ֣י יָבֹ֗אוּ וּבְתַחֲנוּנִים֮ אֹובִילֵם֒ אֹולִיכֵם֙ אֶל־נַ֣חֲלֵי מַ֔יִם בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ יָשָׁ֔ר לֹ֥א יִכָּשְׁל֖וּ בָּ֑הּ כִּי־הָיִ֤יתִי לְיִשְׂרָאֵל֙ לְאָ֔ב וְאֶפְרַ֖יִם בְּכֹ֥רִי הֽוּא׃
(Jeremiah 31:9)
This verse is a tapestry of movement, emotion, and identity, woven together with a blend of verbal clauses, participial imagery, and nominal affirmations. Its syntax is not static—it progresses like a guided procession, carrying the reader from sorrow to assurance. Let’s walk through the grammatical architecture that shapes its meaning.
1. Word Order: The March Begins with Emotion
The verse opens with the prepositional phrase בִּבְכִי (“in weeping”) fronted before the verb יָבֹאוּ (“they will come”). This is a marked order—normally Hebrew narrative prefers VSO (verb–subject–object), but here, placing the circumstance first makes the emotional condition the spotlight before the action begins.
2. Clause Structure: A Procession of Actions
The verse consists of several main clauses connected by coordination, but with shifts in focus:
- בִּבְכִי יָבֹאוּ – main verbal clause (prepositional phrase + imperfect verb).
- וּבְתַחֲנוּנִים אֹובִילֵם – parallel structure with another prepositional phrase fronted for emphasis, followed by a Hiphil imperfect first-person verb.
- אֹולִיכֵם אֶל־נַחֲלֵי מַיִם – coordinate verbal clause continuing the first-person divine action.
- בְּדֶרֶךְ יָשָׁר לֹא יִכָּשְׁלוּ בָּהּ – prepositional phrase with a negated imperfect verb, functioning as a resultative or purpose clause within the flow.
- כִּי־הָיִיתִי לְיִשְׂרָאֵל לְאָב – causal clause explaining the preceding assurances.
- וְאֶפְרַיִם בְּכֹרִי הוּא – nominal clause reaffirming identity and relationship.
This sequencing creates a rhythmic advance—each clause steps forward, like pilgrims on the road described.
3. Nominal Phrases: Relational Anchors
- לְיִשְׂרָאֵל לְאָב – double prepositional complement to the copular verb הָיִיתִי, solidifying the divine role as “a father to Israel.”
- בְּכֹרִי – construct form with a pronominal suffix, directly asserting possession and status (“my firstborn”).
These nominal constructions serve as theological pillars, grounding the actions in relationship.
4. Verbal Phrases: From Motion to Assurance
Verbs shift from third person plural imperfect (יָבֹאוּ) describing the people’s movement, to first person singular Hiphil imperfects (אֹובִילֵם, אֹולִיכֵם) depicting divine guidance, and back to third person (יִכָּשְׁלוּ) for the assurance of safe passage. This alternation reinforces the interaction between human experience and divine action.
5. Agreement
Person and number agreement is precise: plural verbs align with the plural subject (the returning people), while singulars match the singular divine speaker. Gender agreement is consistent throughout, with masculine plural forms for the collective nation.
6. Tense, Aspect, and Mood
The use of imperfect forms projects the events into the future, but also carries an aspectual sense of process—this is not a single moment, but a continuing journey. The negation לֹא יִכָּשְׁלוּ is modal in tone, promising an ongoing state of security.
7. Waw-Consecutive and Coordination
The ו conjunction functions primarily as a simple coordinator here, linking clauses in sequence or parallel. There are no wayyiqtol forms, reinforcing the non-narrative, prophetic tone of anticipation and promise.
8. Emphasis and Focus
Two fronted prepositional phrases (בִּבְכִי and וּבְתַחֲנוּנִים) frame the people’s emotional and spiritual state as the central focus before any destination is mentioned. The final identity clauses about Israel and Ephraim serve as climactic emphasis—the relationship explains and justifies the promised guidance.
9. Discourse Analysis: From Weeping to Belonging
In the broader prophetic discourse, this verse functions as a hinge—turning lament into hope. The syntax supports this movement: it begins with circumstantial descriptors of distress, transitions into verbs of divine leading, and concludes with identity-based affirmations. The structure guides the reader through the emotional journey step-by-step, matching the thematic journey of return.
The Grammar of Consolation
The verse’s syntax is not random—it’s processional. Every clause is a step forward, every fronted phrase a banner in the march, and every nominal affirmation a declaration of covenant love. The Hebrew grammar turns the act of coming home into a liturgy of comfort.