Lexical Summary tamrur: guideposts Original Word: תַּמְרוּר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance high heap From the same root as tamar; an erection, i.e. Pillar (probably for a guide-board) -- high heap. see HEBREW tamar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same root as tomer Definition perhaps signpost NASB Translation guideposts (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. [תַּמְרוּר] noun masculine plural תַּמְרוּרִים Jeremiah 31:21, doubtful word; sense, and "" צִיֻּנִים, require meaning sign-posts (= ׳תאמ compare Arabic  sign-post, √  see  sign,  stones (heaped up) as way-mark; Ethiopic  shew, point out, give sign or signal); — Gie rejects strange form, reading תִּמֹרִים palm-trees, as posts. — 1. ׳ת see מרר. תַּמְרוּק, רִיק-, see מרק. 1. תַּמְרוּר see מרר. תַּן see תנן. Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence and Context The noun תַּמְרוּר appears once, in Jeremiah 31:21. Spoken to the people of the Babylonian exile, it reads: “Set up road markers, place guideposts. Pay attention to the highway, the path you have traveled. Return, O virgin Israel, return to your cities” (Berean Standard Bible). Here תַּמְרוּר (“guideposts,” “waymarks”) stands parallel to “road markers,” reinforcing Yahweh’s command that Israel keep visible reminders of the path of return. Historical and Cultural Background Ancient travelers depended on stone pillars, heaps of rocks, or carved posts to mark caravan routes (Genesis 31:45–46; Isaiah 19:19). In an era without printed maps, such landmarks ensured safe passage through rugged terrain. Jeremiah’s audience would imagine erecting prominent, perhaps whitewashed, posts along the long desert track from Babylon back to Judah—tangible testimony that the journey home was both possible and expected. The image evokes the exodus memorial stones at Gilgal (Joshua 4:3–9) and Jacob’s pillar at Bethel (Genesis 28:18–22), tying the coming restoration to earlier redemptive acts. Theological Significance 1. Memorial of Grace: The “guideposts” symbolize divine faithfulness. Just as past deliverances were commemorated with pillars, these waymarks anticipate the future fulfillment of Jeremiah 31:31–34, the promised new covenant. Practical Ministry Application • Discipleship: Churches may encourage believers to establish spiritual “guideposts”—regular habits of Scripture reading, fellowship, and sacramental remembrance (1 Corinthians 11:26; Hebrews 10:24–25). Christological and Eschatological Implications Jesus Christ embodies the ultimate “Way” (John 14:6). The prophet’s command to “pay attention to the highway” prefigures the straight way of the Lord prepared by John the Baptist (Isaiah 40:3; Mark 1:3). Eschatologically, the nations will stream along a clearly marked path to Zion (Isaiah 2:2–3), fulfilling in global scope what Jeremiah envisioned for Israel. Related Biblical Themes and Passages • Stones of Remembrance: 1 Samuel 7:12; Joshua 22:10–12 Summary תַּמְרוּר, though appearing only once, captures the rich biblical motif of visible reminders that guide God’s people from bondage to blessing. Rooted in Israel’s literal road home, it invites every generation to mark, remember, and walk the pathway of covenant grace until the journey culminates in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1–4). Forms and Transliterations תַּמְרוּרִ֔ים תמרורים tam·rū·rîm tamruRim tamrūrîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Jeremiah 31:21 HEB: שִׂ֤מִי לָךְ֙ תַּמְרוּרִ֔ים שִׁ֣תִי לִבֵּ֔ךְ NAS: Place for yourself guideposts; Direct KJV: make thee high heaps: set INT: roadmarks Place guideposts Direct your mind 1 Occurrence |
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