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| 1 At that time, Declareth Yahweh, I will become a God, to all the families of Israel; And, they, shall become my, people. |
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| 2 Thus, saith Yahweh,–There hath found favour in the desert, people escaped from the sword,–I must go to cause him, even Israel, to rest. |
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| 3 From afar, Yahweh, hath appeared unto me, Yea, with an age-abiding love, have I loved thee, For this cause, have I prolonged to thee lovingkindness. |
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| 4 Again, will I build thee and thou shalt be built, thou virgin, Israel,–Again, shalt thou deck thyself with thy timbrels, And go forth in the dance of them that make merry: |
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| 5 Again, shalt thou plant vineyards, in the mountains of Samaria, The planters have planted, and have laid open [the vineyards]. |
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| 6 For it is, a day the watchmen have proclaimed throughout the hill country of Ephraim,–Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion, unto Yahweh our God. |
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| 7 For, thus, saith Yahweh–Shout ye for Jacob, with gladness, Make shrill thy voice, as the head of the nations,–Publish ye, praise ye, and say, Save thou, O Yahweh, thy people, the remnant of Israel. |
For Jacob – Natural Israel. A300
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| 8 Behold me! bringing them in out of the land of the North, And I will gather them out of the remote parts of the earth, Among them, the blind and the lame, The woman with child and she that giveth birth, together,–A great convocation, shall return hither: |
The north country – Russia, where nearly two-thirds of all the Jews now living reside. C259
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| 9 With weeping, shall they come in, And, with supplications, will I lead them, I will bring them unto rivers of waters, By a smooth way, wherein they shall not stumble,–For I have become, to Israel, a father, And, as for Ephraim, my firstborn, is he! |
With weeping – Bitterness against Israel will cause the "remnants of Israel" to be expelled from various nations. R1898:5
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| 10 Hear ye the word of Yahweh, O ye nations, And declare ye in the Coastlands, afar off,–And say–He that scattereth Israel, will gather him, And watch over him, as a shepherd his flock; |
Will gather him – Confirms the assurance of God's returning favor to fleshly Israel. R1364:5
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| 11 For Yahweh hath ransomed, Jacob,–And redeemed him from the hand of one stronger than he. |
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| 12 Then shall they come in, and shall shout in triumph on the height of Zion, And shall stream unto the goodness of Yahweh, To the wheat, and to the new wine, and to the oil, and to the young of the flocks and of the herds,–So shall their soul become like a garden well watered, And they shall not again, languish, any more. |
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| 13 Then, shall, the virgin, rejoice, in the dance, And young men and elders, [rejoice,] together,–And I will turn their mourning into gladness, and will comfort them, And will make them rejoice from their sorrow;
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| 14 Then will I satiate the soul of the priests, with fatness, And, my people, with my goodness, shall be satisfied, Declareth Yahweh. |
Shall be satisfied – The perfect man will not understand the spiritual glory; he will be absorbed with the glory that surrounds him on the human plane. R613:2
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| 15 Thus, saith Yahweh–A voice, in Ramah, is heard, Wailing, bitter weeping, Rachel, weeping for her children,–She refuseth to be comforted for her children, For they are, not! |
Bitter weeping – Sorrow for the dead is not a sign of weakness; rather, a sign of love and sympathy. OV212:9
Rachel weeping – Prophecy of the slaughter of the infants in Bethlehem. R1681:6
They were not – They were dead, unconscious. "The dead know not anything." (Eccl. 9:5) Q766:3; R3436:4
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| 16 Thus, saith Yahweh–Restrain thy voice from weeping, And thine eyes from tears,–For there is, a reward for thy labour, Declareth Yahweh, So they shall return from the land of the enemy: |
Thus saith the LORD – This is the word of the Lord, which cannot be broken. OV212:8
Shall be rewarded – The labor of parents endeavoring properly to rear their children is not lost. OV212:7, OV217:1
Shall come again – Restored to life; not all at once, but gradually in the resurrection. OV212:5, OV213:3, OV216:1
Land of the enemy – The great enemy, death. CR430:2; OV85:1, OV214:6; R2063:4; Q830:2
The place to which all alike go--from the sinner of three-score and ten, to the little one of two years old and under. R822:5*
While Satan has the "power of death" (Heb. 2:14), it is a subordinate power which he grasped as an usurper. R452:4*
"The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." (1 Cor. 15:26) OV214:6, OV212:6
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| 17 Yea there is hope for thy future, Declareth Yahweh,–And thy sons shall return to their own boundary. |
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| 18 I have, heard, Ephraim, bemoaning himself, Thou hast chastised me, and I have been chastised, Like a bullock, not broken in, Suffer me to return, that I may, return, For, thou, art Yahweh my God. |
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| 19 Surely, after my return, I was filled with regret, And, after I came to know myself, I smote upon the thigh,–I turned pale, and was even confounded, For I had borne the reproach of my youthful days. |
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| 20 Was Ephraim, a very precious son to me? Was he a most delightful, child? For, as often as I have spoken against him, I have, remembered, him, again! For this cause, have my affections been deeply moved for him, I must have, compassion, upon him, Declareth Yahweh. |
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| 21 Erect thee waymarks, Set thee up finger-posts, Apply thy heart to, The highway–The road by which thou didst depart,–Return, O virgin of Israel, Return unto these thy cities. |
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| 22 How long, wilt thou turn hither and thither, O apostate daughter? For Yahweh hath created, a new thing in the earth, A female, defendeth, a strong man! |
Compass a man – How marvellously Christ fills the picture here. R350:1*
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| 23 Thus, saith Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, Again, shall they say this word, in the land of Judah and in the cities thereof, when I cause their captivity to return, Yahweh, bless thee, Thou home of righteousness! Thou mountain of holiness! |
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| 24 Then shall there dwell throughout Judah itself and all the cities thereof, together,–Husbandmen, who shall move about with a flock; |
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| 25 For I have satiated the weary soul,–And, every languishing soul, have I filled. |
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| 26 Upon this, I awoke and considered,–And, my sleep, had been sweet to me! |
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| 27 Lo! days are coming, Declareth Yahweh–That I will sow, The house of Israel, and, The house of Judah, With the seed of men, and, With the seed of beasts; |
House of Israel – The entire passage, verses 27 to 40, is for the Jew, natural Israel. R4586:2
House of Judah – The object in mentioning both is to prevent any from getting the idea that only the ten tribes would be blessed in the future. R1364:5
Seed of man, and...beast – Israel to be replenished with man and beast indicates New covenant entirely earthly. R4530:4*
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| 28 And it shall come to pass, that–Just as I watched over them, to root up and to break down and to tear out and to destroy, and to break in pieces, So, will I watch over them, to build and to plant, Declareth Yahweh. |
Shall come to pass – In the Millennial, or Restitution, day. A109
And to afflict – Ever since Jesus rejected Israel they have been under divine displeasure. The faithful performance of the evil part of the promise is an assurance of the ultimate blessings. R1364:6
Watch over them – The Jewish people. A109
To build, and to plant – They shall be firmly planted in their everlasting possession. R1483:5
This is a deliverance that will need no repetition. R1483:5
The succeeding verses how that this does not refer to earlier deliverances from Babylon, Syria, etc. R545:4
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| 29 In those days, shall they say no more, Fathers, did eat sour grapes,–And, children's teeth, are blunted! |
In those days – In the Times of Restitution, the Millennial age. A109; E332; R3304:5, R4812:2, R4971:4, R258:6
When fleshly Israel receives its portion. C298
In the days of favor following the "seven times" of chastisement, or "Times of the Gentiles." (Luke 21:24) B92
Indicated by the return of divine favor to Israel. R1365:3; C298
Say no more – No longer shall any die for Adam's sin. R2608:5, R1260:5, R3304:5, R4018:3*, R5240:4
The weakness of heredity will no longer weigh men down. R892:4
The fathers – Adam and his posterity. A109, A143; R2050:6, R4371:3, R5063:6, R2611:5
Eaten a sour grape – The sour grape of sin. R1365:3, R2050:6, R2611:5, R4812:2, R282:6; A109; E332; OV90:2
The children's – All of Adam's children. R2587:4
Are set on edge – In the case of Adam, one soul sinned and twenty thousand million souls die as the result--because they are his children. CR431:5
By the chain of sickness, misery and death which follows. A109, A143; E309; R1365:3, R2049:4; OV392:3; HG351:4
The nature of the fathers, being polluted by sin, is transmitted to the children, who come under the death sentence for having the same nature (disposition) as the fathers. R527:2*
So that sometimes we cannot do the things that we would do, and frequently leave undone the things that we ought to do. R2587:4
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| 30 But, every one, for his own iniquity, shall die,–Any human being who eateth the sour grapes, his own teeth, shall be blunted. |
But every one – Who dies in that age. A109; B92; E473
Since the race will no longer be "in Adam" this trial must be an individual one. R2117:4
Shall die – The Second Death. R1365:3, R2608:5, R2677:6, R4909:1, R5309:5, R381:2, R904:6
None but wilful sinners shall die then, but such shall surely die. R1073:2
The atonement for Adamic sin will not cover wilful sin against light and knowledge. E474, E332
His own iniquity – His own sin only. A109; R2759:4, R2677:6, R2833:2, R4971:4, R5240:4, R5292:5
No longer shall die for Adam's sin. R1260:5, R2608:5, R3304:5, R4018:3, R5240:4, R904:5
Since it is recorded that "Christ dieth no more," it follows that not one of such condemned ones can be redeemed as Adam was. R912:6
His teeth – There will then be a test for life or death, as there is now with the Church. Q288:6
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| 31 Lo! days are coming, Declareth Yahweh,–When I will solemnize–With the house of Israel, and, With the house of Judah, A new, covenant: |
The days come – When The Christ is glorified and beyond the veil, after the days of the Gospel age. R5000:1, R4321:6;
When the sufferings of the Body of Christ will be finished and Messiah shall come as the great Priest and King. R4513:1, R4452:3, R4497:5, R4505:1, R4612:6
When Israel's "seven times" of punishment are over. R5163:6
As soon as this blood of the atonement shall have been applied for the sins of all the people. R5292:6
Saith the LORD – God made a promise to the Jews and that promise must be fulfilled. CR44:2
I will make – In the future; replacing the Law covenant. R4496:1, R4646:4, R4344:5
A covenant does not go into operation until after it has been fully mediated. R5164:1
Covenant relationship with God means perfection. Mankind will not reach perfection or enter into the covenant until the end of the 1000 years. R5293:6
A new covenant – Properly so called because it will take the place of the Old Law covenant. R5163:6, R3916:5
The Everlasting covenant, to be made with Israel alone, will bring blessings to Israel, and to all mankind through Israel. R4321:2, R5163:6, R4806:2, R4902:6, R4706:1, R4821:1, R4505:1, R4497:5, R3916:5, R4452:3, R4528:5, R4555:1, R4592:5, R4612:6, R4624:4, R4768:5, R4940:1; CR44:2; CR157:3; Q170:7, Q468:2, Q622:1
The one that God intended should come to replace the typical covenant. R5071:2, R4474:3, R4309:5, R4555:1, R5164:2, R5292:2; OV118:2
The mention of a New (Law) covenant implies a Mediator for it. R4437:6*, R4496:1
The antitypical Moses, The Christ complete, as Messiah will mediate between God and mankind. R5301:6, R4840:3, R5071:3, R5164:1; CR157:3; CR98:6; SM200:3; R4452:3, R4474:5, R4511:5, R4624:6, R4696:3, R4713:5, R4840:3, R4902:6, R4912:4; SM730:3
Mediated by The Christ for 1000 years. R5301:6, R5292:3, R5000:2, R4613:4, R4640:3, R4646:1, R4586:6; HG460:4
The words "New covenant" indicate the repetition of God's favor to Israel under the better Mediator. R4624:6
This cannot set aside, or make null and void, the original Abrahamic covenant of grace, any more than could the Law covenant. R5301:6
Implying that Israel was right in not expecting much from the Law covenant. R4496:1
The covenant is a conditional one. That is shown by the fact that it has a Mediator. Q187:2
The New covenant has been promised for centuries but it has not yet gone into effect. R5292:6
The Ancient Worthies will be under the New covenant, their indiscretions or imperfections will come under the review of the Mediator. Q12:T-13:3
The offer of life to the Church is under the covenant of sacrifice; to the world, under the New covenant. A141
The Gospel Church was not at all under the first covenant; only the Jewish nation was. R4624:4
The New Creation is not under the Law covenant typified by Hagar, or the New covenant typified by Keturah, but under the original covenant, the Everlasting, Oathbound, Abrahamic covenant typified by Sarah. R4011:1, R4624:4
Superior to the old covenant in that it will have a better Mediator. R4309:6, R4624:6, R4931:1, R4714:3, R4940:1; CR157:3
Of which our Lord was the Messenger. R4495:6, R4715:3
Which will absolutely take away sin and bring man into harmony with God. R5292:2, R5293:4
The house of Israel – As the natural seed of Abraham. R4821:1
The New covenant will be Israelitish. CR157:3
The New covenant will be made directly with the nation of Israel. R4497:5
The New covenant is given to Israel and the world only indirectly. The Father's dealings are not with Israel, but with the Mediator of the covenant. R3109:2
God's covenant will be with the Mediator for Israel. R4555:1, R4640:5
All the Jews will be transferred from Moses to Christ, the better Mediator; and from the Old Law covenant to the New Law covenant. R4840:3
In order to avail themselves of this covenant all other nations and peoples will be obliged to become a part of Israel. R4902:6; CR139:1; CR485:2; CR51:4; OV72:T, SM596:1
The expression "New covenant" is not used with others than the Jews because it is not true that God will make a covenant with the rest of mankind. R4659:2
The New covenant is not to be made with any others than Jews for no others were in covenant relationship with God. R4624:6
This work will proceed from Israel to all the families of the earth. R4674:2
The New covenant will mean that all through the Millennial age all the blessings will go forth first to the Jews. CR44:2
The nations are to be blessed also under this New covenant by becoming "daughters" to Israel. (Ezek. 16:61) R4371:3
The mediatorial work will be accomplished through natural Israel. R4624:4, R4821:1
All mankind, represented by Israel. R904:6
The Jewish nation needed to be redeemed in a special manner before God could use it as his channel of blessing to the other nations. R4624:4
The house of Judah – The ten tribes of Israel and the two tribes of Judah: both mentioned to prevent a misunderstanding. R4586:2, R1342:1, R2125:6; C297
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| 32 Not like the covenant which I solemnised with their fathers, In the day when I grasped their hand, to bring them forth, out of the land of Egypt,–In that, they, brake my covenant, Though, I, had become a husband unto them, Declareth Yahweh. |
Not according to – The old one was written merely on tables of stone. The new one the Lord will cause gradually to be written in the hearts of all. OV90:4, OV115:3
God intended to give them a better covenant than the Law, which they had found to be a bondage and one unto death. R4309:5
The Law given at Sinai was inferior when compared with the perfect heart-and-mind written law bestowed upon Adam. R1717:5
The covenant – The Law covenant, made only with the Jews, did not accomplish the blessing of Israel and of the world. OV29:1; R4659:2; Q169:3
The inauguration of the Law covenant was typical of the inauguration of the New covenant. R5000:2, R4592:5, R4646:4; OV118:2
The terms of the New covenant will be the same as those under the Law covenant instituted by Moses. OV81:2
The Law covenant is as binding upon the Jew as it ever was and it will remain so until it is superseded by the New Law covenant. R4912:4, R5164:1
In the day – The day of the Passover, the first feature of the Law. R1731:2, R971:6; OV94:T
The Passover is the first feature of the Law, and the Law covenant is continually referred to as dating from that time. R971:6
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| 33 For, this, is the covenant which I will solemnize with the house of Israel, after those days, Declareth Yahweh, I will put my law within, them, Yea, on their heart, will I write it,–So will I become their, God, And, they, shall become my, people. |
The covenant – The New covenant, the Everlasting covenant. R3597:3
House of Israel – The whole twelve tribes. C293
After those days – After the "seven times" of chastisement. B92; R4497:4
After the days of this Gospel age. R4321:6
Signifies after the completion of the selection of the Church. R4497:6, R4612:6
When the days are accomplished for the overthrow of the kingdoms of this world and the setting up of the Kingdom of God. R904:5
After a while, by and by. R789:1
I will put my law – Love shall be the law. R1244:6
God had a law before the Ten Commandments. It was graven on man's nature in Adam. That original standard is again promised for the future. R1731:5, R5294:2, R5309:4
Gradually retrace and rewrite the divine law in the hearts of men. F359; R5309:5, R1365:5, R2195:6, R2060:5
When the law has been fully written in their whole being the covenant condition will be fully attained. R4570:5*
The perfect human nature will then be as it was at first, a law-inscribed nature. R764:2
In their inward parts – In their very thoughts as well as in their outward life. CR299:5; OV130:4
In their very nature. R1717:5
In their hearts – The center of affection, the character. R789:5, R2060:3, R5309:4, R4613:1
Restoring a heart of flesh, of tenderness, sympathy, righteousness and divine likeness. R4806:2, R636:6, R1244:6, R4729:4, R3071:3
Implying that the ability will be given to keep the law. R5071:3, R4821:1, R812:5*
More than Adam had. R111:1
Be my people – The Ancient Worthies will come forth perfect; to them will gather their own Israelitish kindred, and all nations. R4575:4
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| 34 Then shall they no longer teach, Every man his neighbour, and, Every man his brother, saying, Know ye Yahweh,–For, they all, shall know, me, From the least of them, Even unto the greatest of them, Declareth Yahweh, For I will forgive their iniquity, And, their sin, will I remember, no more. |
Teach no more – Because all will know the plan of God. R1771:6, R3285:2, R4908:6, R5352:5; A75
Then mankind will no longer be invited to accept Christ, but will be compelled to be obedient. CR51:3; SM440:T
The teaching of "churches" will be unnecessary. R2428:2*
It will no longer be necessary to preach. R5919:6, R1717:5
Shall all know me – The eyes of their understanding shall be opened. R3192:2, R2940:4, R4883:1, R5594:2, R5919:6, R6013:5
The glorious opportunity for salvation shall come through the knowledge of the Lord. R5078:4; SM558:2
Come to a knowledge of the truth. R5407:1, R3140:5
"The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord." (Isa. 11:9) R1363:6, R2690:1, R1717:5, R1972:4; OV215:5; R858:5, R2610:3, R4883:1, R5594:2, R5919:6; SM792:1
The way will be so plain that "the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein." (Isa. 35:8) A215; R1363:6, R1450:5
This statement is not true now, and cannot be true until the Lord's Kingdom is established. A75
This is restitution work, the work of the entire Millennial age. R4613:4; SM792:T
The conditions will be such that doubt would be more difficult than belief is at present. R1771:6
As a kind and loving father, God provides for the education of all who ever came into the world. R33:3*
Forgiveness of sins and the blessing of being awakened from the dead would profit mankind little if future arrangements did not permit a thorough recovery from present mental, moral and physical weaknesses. HG390:6; R443:3
A personal acceptance of the conditions of the New covenant will be required of each individual. R1771:6
Instead of misrepresentation of God's character and loving plans, the reverse will be given to mankind. R5485:5
When they know, each will be responsible. R5084:1
All who have ever lived. R5407:1, R3140:5, R3285:2
From the least – "The wayfaring men, and those unacquainted therewith, shall not go astray." (Isa. 35:8--Leeser) A215
Forgive their iniquity – The taking away of their sins is a necessity before they can receive the New covenant because God makes no covenant with sinners. R4497:5
Under the Law covenant this was not done and sins remained; for atonement was made fresh for them year by year. R5293:4
I will remember – The Mediator will not hold against anyone the transgressions of this present life. R5293:5
Their sin no more – Israel's sins have not yet been taken away, even as the world's sins have not yet been taken away. R4892:3
Past sins and iniquities shall no more rise up in judgment against them, demanding their just penalty, death. R1654:1; HG231:6
Christ will have appeared on their behalf and made satisfaction for their sins. R5164:2
Guarantees that none shall die the Second Death except the wilfully, intelligently disobedient. R3770:6, R5164:2
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| 35 Thus, saith Yahweh–Who hath given the sun, for a light by day, The ordinances of the moon and the stars, for a light by night,–Who excited the sea, and the waves thereof roared, Yahweh of hosts, is his name:– |
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| 36 If these ordinances depart from before me, Declareth Yahweh,–the seed of Israel also, may cease from being a nation before me, all the days. |
The seed of Israel – Uses one name for all the tribes. C297; R1364:6
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| 37 Thus, saith Yahweh–If the heavens above, can be measured, Or the foundations of the earth beneath, be searched out, I also, may reject all the seed of Israel, for all that they have done, Declareth Yahweh. |
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| 38 Lo! days are coming, Declareth Yahweh, That the city, shall be built for Yahweh, From the tower of Hananeel, [As far as] the gate of the corner; |
That the city – The city of Jerusalem will be rebuilt and will become the capital city of the world. Q790:2
Located in the territory of the two tribes, showing that the foregoing prophecy is not only for the ten tribes. C292; R1342:1
Shall be built – It is now being built along these very lines. C266; R1044:4*
Tower of Hananeel – Discovered in 1886 in laying the foundation for a hotel. R1390:2
Describing the portion outside the Jaffa Gate. R1382:4
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| 39 Then shall go forth again the measuring-line straight forward, Over the hill Gareb, And it shall go round to Goah; |
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| 40 And, all the vale of the dead bodies, and of the ashes, and all the fields as far as the Kidron torrent-bed, as far as the horse-gate corner on the east, Shall be holy unto Yahweh,–It shall not be rooted up, nor thrown down, any more, unto times age-abiding. |
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