Lexical Summary yediduth: Belovedness, love, affection Original Word: יְדִדוּת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance dearly beloved From ydiyd; properly, affection; concretely, a darling object -- dearly beloved. see HEBREW ydiyd NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as yadid Definition love NASB Translation beloved (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs יְדִדוּת noun feminine love = object of love; — only construct יְדִדוּת נַפְשִׁי Jeremiah 12:7 (׳י speaks) love (i.e. beloved) of my soul. Topical Lexicon Etymology and Nuanced Meaning The Hebrew term יְדִדוּת (yediduth) carries the warm nuance of cherished affection—“beloved intimacy” that surpasses mere friendship and expresses deep covenantal devotion. Its solitary appearance in the Hebrew canon amplifies its emotive force, concentrating attention on the divine pathos it conveys. Canonical Context Jeremiah 12:7 stands alone in employing yediduth: “I have forsaken My house; I have abandoned My heritage; I have given the beloved of My soul into the hands of her enemies” (Berean Standard Bible). The prophet transmits the Lord’s lament over Judah, whose covenant unfaithfulness demands disciplinary exile. By calling the nation “the beloved of My soul,” God uncovers His own heartbreak; judgment is not cold retribution but the anguished decision of a Lover whose affection has been spurned. Theological Implications 1. Covenant Love and Holiness: Yediduth underscores that divine judgment flows from violated love, not from fluctuating moods. The Lord’s holiness and love are inseparable; when His people profane the covenant, loving holiness requires corrective action (Leviticus 26:14-45; Hebrews 12:6). Intertextual Connections • “Beloved” language threads through Scripture. Israel is called “Jeshurun” (upright one) whom God “loved” (Deuteronomy 33:3). The term also evokes “yedid” (beloved friend, 2 Samuel 1:26) and “dôd” (beloved in Song of Solomon), situating yediduth within a broader lexical family that accents affectionate closeness. Historical Setting Jeremiah ministered during the last decades of the Kingdom of Judah (circa 626–586 BC). Political intrigue, idolatry, and social injustice invited Babylonian invasion. Jeremiah 12 follows a sequence of laments (chapters 11-20) in which the prophet wrestles with divine justice. In 12:7, God’s own lament eclipses Jeremiah’s, revealing the emotional dimension behind impending exile. Pastoral and Ministry Applications 1. Shepherding with God’s Heart: Leaders are called to mirror divine compassion when confronting sin. Loving correction should never be detached from personal investment (Galatians 4:19). Christological Foreshadowing Jesus Christ embodies and fulfills the theme of yediduth. At His baptism the Father proclaims, “You are My beloved Son” (Mark 1:11). He is both the perfectly loved One and the ultimate Lover who lays down His life for His friends (John 15:13). In Him, the estranged “beloved”—Jew and Gentile—are reconciled to God (Ephesians 2:13). The exile of Judah prefigures the greater exile of humanity; Christ’s atoning death secures the promised restoration. Liturgical and Devotional Use Meditating on Jeremiah 12:7 can enrich corporate confession and personal prayer. Songwriters and liturgists may incorporate the verse to balance triumphant praise with sober reflection on sin’s grievousness to God. Devotionally, believers are invited to feel the weight of divine love that both disciplines and restores, nurturing gratitude and reverent obedience. Forms and Transliterations יְדִד֥וּת ידדות yə·ḏi·ḏūṯ yediDut yəḏiḏūṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Jeremiah 12:7 HEB: נָתַ֛תִּי אֶת־ יְדִד֥וּת נַפְשִׁ֖י בְּכַ֥ף NAS: I have given the beloved of My soul KJV: I have given the dearly beloved of my soul INT: my inheritance have given the beloved of my soul the hand 1 Occurrence |
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