There is a lot of wordplay in the Bible. Unfortunately, wordplay is hard to replicate in a translation; therefore, we just miss a lot of it when we read the Bible in English. It’s an example of why some verses in the Bible don’t make sense to us – or don’t make as much sense as they did to ancient readers. Sometimes, however, the translators will give us footnote to show that wordplay is going on.
- In Jer 1:11-12, for example, an NASB footnote shows that the Hebrew word for” almond tree” is “shaqed” and for “watching” it is “shoqed.” By speaking this way, the Lord is helping Jeremiah 1) understand and 2) remember the vision. Thus wordplay is not a way to be “cute” – it’s of practical value.
The Duty of a Man 