Jeremiah 11

King James Version

Full text for Jeremiah Chapter 11

1¶ The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,

2Hear ye the words of this covenant, and speak unto the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem;

3And say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Cursed [be] the man that obeyeth not the words of this covenant,

4Which I commanded your fathers in the day [that] I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God:

5That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as [it is] this day. Then answered I, and said, So be it, O LORD.

6Then the LORD said unto me, Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying, Hear ye the words of this covenant, and do them.

7For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day [that] I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, [even] unto this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice.

8Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded [them] to do; but they did [them] not.

9And the LORD said unto me, A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

10They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear my words; and they went after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers.

11¶ Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them.

12Then shall the cities of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem go, and cry unto the gods unto whom they offer incense: but they shall not save them at all in the time of their trouble.

13For [according to] the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Judah; and [according to] the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to [that] shameful thing, [even] altars to burn incense unto Baal.

14Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them: for I will not hear [them] in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble.

15What hath my beloved to do in mine house, [seeing] she hath wrought lewdness with many, and the holy flesh is passed from thee? when thou doest evil, then thou rejoicest.

16The LORD called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, [and] of goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken.

17For the LORD of hosts, that planted thee, hath pronounced evil against thee, for the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done against themselves to provoke me to anger in offering incense unto Baal.

18¶ And the LORD hath given me knowledge [of it], and I know [it]: then thou shewedst me their doings.

19But I [was] like a lamb [or] an ox [that] is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, [saying], Let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered.

20But, O LORD of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I revealed my cause.

21Therefore thus saith the LORD of the men of Anathoth, that seek thy life, saying, Prophesy not in the name of the LORD, that thou die not by our hand:

22Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, I will punish them: the young men shall die by the sword; their sons and their daughters shall die by famine:

23And there shall be no remnant of them: for I will bring evil upon the men of Anathoth, [even] the year of their visitation.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Jeremiah 11 records the LORD's command to Jeremiah to proclaim the terms of the covenant made with Israel's ancestors, emphasizing the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. The LORD reveals that Judah and Jerusalem have conspired to break this covenant by returning to idolatry, leading to an inescapable divine judgment. Furthermore, Jeremiah discovers a plot against his own life, prompting him to appeal to the LORD for justice against his persecutors.

Medium Summary

The chapter begins with the LORD instructing Jeremiah to remind the people of Judah and Jerusalem of the covenant established when He brought their fathers out of Egypt. This covenant demanded obedience to His voice, promising that they would be His people and He their God, fulfilling the oath to give them a land flowing with milk and honey. However, the LORD recounts that despite His persistent warnings, their ancestors and now the current generation have disobeyed, following the imaginations of their evil hearts and serving other gods, thereby breaking the covenant. Consequently, the LORD declares He will bring an inescapable evil upon them, refusing to hear their cries or allow their numerous false gods to save them. The LORD laments Judah's unfaithfulness, comparing her to a once-beloved green olive tree now consumed by fire. The chapter concludes with Jeremiah discovering a plot by the men of Anathoth to kill him, leading him to appeal to the LORD, who then promises severe judgment upon his persecutors.

Long Summary

Jeremiah 11 opens with the LORD commissioning Jeremiah to speak to the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem concerning the ancient covenant. This covenant, established when the LORD delivered their fathers from the 'iron furnace' of Egypt, stipulated that obedience to His voice would secure their status as His people and His fulfillment of the promise of a land flowing with milk and honey. Jeremiah affirms this divine command. The LORD then instructs Jeremiah to proclaim these words throughout the cities and streets, recounting how He earnestly protested to their ancestors from the Exodus onward, urging obedience. Yet, both the forefathers and the current generation have refused to hear, instead following their own evil hearts, thus incurring the covenant's curses. The LORD reveals a 'conspiracy' among Judah and Jerusalem, noting their return to the iniquities of their ancestors and their worship of other gods, thereby breaking the sacred covenant. As a result, the LORD declares He will bring an inescapable evil upon them, refusing to listen to their cries for help, and their numerous false gods, to whom they offer incense, will be powerless to save them. Jeremiah is explicitly forbidden to pray for this people. The LORD expresses His sorrow over Judah, His 'beloved,' who has committed 'lewdness' in His house, comparing her to a 'green olive tree' that He planted, now consumed by fire and broken branches due to her provocation through Baal worship. Subsequently, Jeremiah is given knowledge of a plot against him, feeling like a lamb led to slaughter, unaware of the devices devised to destroy him and cut him off from the land of the living. He appeals to the LORD of hosts, who judges righteously, to see His vengeance upon those who seek his life. In response, the LORD pronounces a severe judgment upon the men of Anathoth who threatened Jeremiah, declaring that they shall die by the sword and famine, leaving no remnant in the year of their visitation.

Core Concepts

  • The Covenant and its BreachThe chapter reiterates the covenant made at the Exodus, demanding obedience for blessings. Judah and Jerusalem are accused of breaking this covenant by returning to the iniquities of their forefathers and serving other gods.
  • Divine JudgmentDue to the covenant's breach, the LORD declares He will bring an inescapable evil upon the people. Their cries will not be heard, and their false gods will be unable to save them in their time of trouble.
  • Idolatry and UnfaithfulnessThe people are condemned for their widespread idolatry, having as many gods as cities and setting up altars to Baal. The LORD laments Judah's unfaithfulness, comparing her to a beloved who has committed lewdness and a once-fruitful olive tree now consumed by fire.
  • Jeremiah's PersecutionJeremiah discovers a plot against his life by his own people, specifically the men of Anathoth, who threaten him if he continues to prophesy in the LORD's name. He likens himself to a lamb led to slaughter.
  • Divine Retribution for PersecutorsIn response to Jeremiah's appeal for justice, the LORD promises severe judgment upon the men of Anathoth who sought Jeremiah's life, declaring they will die by sword and famine, leaving no remnant.