Read the Bible — American Standard Version · Jeremiah

Jeremiah 12

1 Righteous art thou, O Jehovah, when I contend with thee; yet would I reason the cause with thee: wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they at ease that deal very treacherously?

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Righteous H6662 (צַדִּיק) — just
  • thou, O Yhwh H3068 (יְהֹוָה) — (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God
  • when I plead H7378 (רִיב) — properly, to toss, i.e. grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e. hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend
  • with thee: yet let me talk H1696 (דָבַר) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
  • judgments H4941 (מִשְׁפָּט) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual or…
  • Wherefore doth the way H1870 (דֶּרֶךְ) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
  • of the wicked H7563 (רָשָׁע) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
  • prosper H6743 (צָלַח) — to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)
  • are all they happy H7951 (שָׁלָה) — to be tranquil, i.e. secure or successful
  • that deal very H899 (בֶּגֶד) — a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage
  • treacherously H898 (בָּגַד) — to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to act covertly; by implication, to pillage

2 Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root; they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou art near in their mouth, and far from their heart.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Thou hast planted H5193 (נָטַע) — properly, to strike in, i.e. fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively)
  • them, yea, they have taken root H8327 (שָׁרַשׁ) — to root, i.e. strike into the soil, or (by implication) to pluck from it
  • they grow H3212 (יָלַךְ) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)
  • yea, they bring forth H6213 (עָשָׂה) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
  • fruit H6529 (פְּרִי) — fruit (literally or figuratively)
  • near H7138 (קָרוֹב) — near (in place, kindred or time)
  • in their mouth H6310 (פֶּה) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) acc…
  • and far from H7350 (רָחוֹק) — remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)
  • their reins H3629 (כִּלְיָה) — a kidney (as an essential organ); figuratively, the mind (as the interior self)

3 But thou, O Jehovah, knowest me; thou seest me, and triest my heart toward thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • But thou, O Yhwh H3068 (יְהֹוָה) — (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God
  • knowest H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…
  • me: thou hast seen H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
  • me, and tried H974 (בָּחַן) — to test (especially metals); generally and figuratively, to investigate
  • mine heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
  • toward thee: pull them out H5423 (נָתַק) — to tear off
  • like sheep H6629 (צֹאן) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
  • for the slaughter H2878 (טִבְחָה)
  • and prepare H6942 (קָדַשׁ) — to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
  • them for the day H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
  • of slaughter H2028 (הֲרֵגָה) — slaughter

4 How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of the whole country wither? for the wickedness of them that dwell therein, the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He shall not see our latter end.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • How long shall the land H776 (אֶרֶץ) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
  • mourn H56 (אָבַל) — to bewail
  • and the herbs H6212 (עֶשֶׂב) — grass (or any tender shoot)
  • of every field H7704 (שָׂדֶה) — a field (as flat)
  • wither H3001 (יָבֵשׁ) — to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)
  • for the wickedness H7451 (רַע) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
  • of them that dwell H3427 (יָשַׁב) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
  • therein? the beasts H929 (בְּהֵמָה) — properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
  • are consumed H5595 (סָפָה) — properly, to scrape (literally, to shave; but usually figuratively) together (i.e. to accumulate or increase) or away (i.e. to scatter, remove, or ruin; intrans…
  • and the birds H5775 (עוֹף) — a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often collectively
  • because they said H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)
  • He shall not see H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
  • our last end H319 (אַחֲרִית) — the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity

5 If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and though in a land of peace thou art secure, yet how wilt thou do in the pride of the Jordan?

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • If thou hast run H7323 (רוּץ) — to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush)
  • with the footmen H7273 (רַגְלִי) — a footman (soldier)
  • and they have wearied H3811 (לָאָה) — to tire; (figuratively) to be (or make) disgusted
  • thee, then how canst thou contend H8474 (תַּחָרָה) — to vie with a rival
  • with horses H5483 (סוּס) — a horse (as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid flight)
  • in the land H776 (אֶרֶץ) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
  • of peace H7965 (שָׁלוֹם) — safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, peace
  • thou trustedst H982 (בָּטַח) — properly, to hie for refuge (but not so precipitately as 2620); figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure
  • then how wilt thou do H6213 (עָשָׂה) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
  • in the swelling H1347 (גָּאוֹן) — the same as 1346
  • of Jordan H3383 (יַרְדֵּן) — Jarden, the principal river of Palestine

6 For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have dealt treacherously with thee; even they have cried aloud after thee: believe them not, though they speak fair words unto thee.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • For even thy brethren H251 (אָח) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like 1])
  • and the house H1004 (בַּיִת) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
  • of thy father H1 (אָב) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
  • even they have dealt treacherously H898 (בָּגַד) — to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to act covertly; by implication, to pillage
  • with thee; yea, they have called H7121 (קָרָא) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
  • a multitude H4392 (מָלֵא) — full (literally or figuratively) or filling (literally); also (concretely) fulness; adverbially, fully
  • after H310 (אַחַר) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
  • thee: believe H539 (אָמַן) — properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanent or quiet…
  • them not, though they speak H1696 (דָבַר) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
  • fair words H2896 (טוֹב) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good t…

7 I have forsaken my house, I have cast off my heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • I have forsaken H5800 (עָזַב) — to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc.
  • mine house H1004 (בַּיִת) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
  • I have left H5203 (נָטַשׁ) — properly, to pound, i.e. smite; by implication (as if beating out, and thus expanding) to disperse; also, to thrust off, down, out or upon (inclusively, reject,…
  • mine heritage H5159 (נַחֲלָה) — properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
  • I have given H5414 (נָתַן) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
  • the dearly beloved H3033 (יְדִדוּת) — properly, affection; concretely, a darling object
  • of my soul H5315 (נֶפֶשׁ) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
  • into the hand H3709 (כַּף) — the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-tree); fig…
  • of her enemies H341 (אֹיֵב) — hating; an adversary

8 My heritage is become unto me as a lion in the forest: she hath uttered her voice against me; therefore I have hated her.

Cross references & Strong's
Cross references (TSK): Jeremiah 2:15 · Jeremiah 51:38 · Hosea 9:15 · Amos 6:8 · Zechariah 11:8
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Mine heritage H5159 (נַחֲלָה) — properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
  • is unto me as a lion H738 (אֲרִי) — a lion
  • in the forest H3293 (יַעַר) — a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees)
  • it crieth out H6963 (קוֹל) — a voice or sound
  • it crieth out H5414 (נָתַן) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
  • against me: therefore have I hated H8130 (שָׂנֵא) — to hate (personally)

9 Is my heritage unto me as a speckled bird of prey? are the birds of prey against her round about? go ye, assemble all the beasts of the field, bring them to devour.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Mine heritage H5159 (נַחֲלָה) — properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
  • a speckled H6641 (צָבוּעַ) — dyed (in stripes), i.e. the hyena
  • bird H5861 (עַיִט) — a hawk or other bird of prey
  • the birds H5861 (עַיִט) — a hawk or other bird of prey
  • round about H5439 (סָבִיב) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
  • against her; come H3212 (יָלַךְ) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)
  • ye, assemble H622 (אָסַף) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
  • all the beasts H2416 (חַי) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing),…
  • of the field H7704 (שָׂדֶה) — a field (as flat)
  • come H857 (אָתָה) — to arrive
  • to devour H402 (אׇכְלָה) — food

10 Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Many H7227 (רַב) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
  • pastors H7462 (רָעָה) — to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a friend)
  • have destroyed H7843 (שָׁחַת) — to decay, i.e. (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
  • my vineyard H3754 (כֶּרֶם) — a garden or vineyard
  • they have trodden H947 (בּוּס) — to trample (literally or figuratively)
  • my portion H2513 (חֶלְקָה) — properly, smoothness; figuratively, flattery; also an allotment
  • under foot H947 (בּוּס) — to trample (literally or figuratively)
  • they have made H5414 (נָתַן) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
  • my pleasant H2532 (חֶמְדָּה) — delight
  • portion H2513 (חֶלְקָה) — properly, smoothness; figuratively, flattery; also an allotment
  • a desolate H8077 (שְׁמָמָה) — devastation; figuratively, astonishment
  • wilderness H4057 (מִדְבָּר) — a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also speech (including its organs)

11 They have made it a desolation; it mourneth unto me, being desolate; the whole land is made desolate, because no man layeth it to heart.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • They have made H7760 (שׂוּם) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
  • it desolate H8076 (שָׁמֵם) — ruined
  • desolate H8077 (שְׁמָמָה) — devastation; figuratively, astonishment
  • it mourneth H56 (אָבַל) — to bewail
  • unto me; the whole land H776 (אֶרֶץ) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
  • is made desolate H8074 (שָׁמֵם) — to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e. devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)
  • because no man H376 (אִישׁ) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
  • layeth H7760 (שׂוּם) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
  • to heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything

12 Destroyers are come upon all the bare heights in the wilderness; for the sword of Jehovah devoureth from the one end of the land even to the other end of the land: no flesh hath peace.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • The spoilers H7703 (שָׁדַד) — properly, to be burly, i.e. (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by implication, to ravage
  • are come H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
  • upon all high places H8205 (שְׁפִי) — bareness; concretely, a bare hill or plain
  • through the wilderness H4057 (מִדְבָּר) — a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also speech (including its organs)
  • for the sword H2719 (חֶרֶב) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
  • of Yhwh H3068 (יְהֹוָה) — (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God
  • shall devour H398 (אָכַל) — to eat (literally or figuratively)
  • end H7097 (קָצֶה) — an extremity
  • of the land H776 (אֶרֶץ) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
  • no flesh H1320 (בָּשָׂר) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
  • shall have peace H7965 (שָׁלוֹם) — safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, peace

13 They have sown wheat, and have reaped thorns; they have put themselves to pain, and profit nothing: and ye shall be ashamed of your fruits, because of the fierce anger of Jehovah.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • They have sown H2232 (זָרַע) — to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify
  • wheat H2406 (חִטָּה) — wheat, whether the grain or the plant
  • but shall reap H7114 (קָצַר) — to dock off, i.e. curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially to harvest (grass or grain)
  • thorns H6975 (קוֹץ) — a thorn
  • they have put themselves to pain H2470 (חָלָה) — properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to be weak, sick, afflicted; or (causatively) to grieve, make sick; also to stroke (in flattering), entreat
  • shall not profit H3276 (יָעַל) — properly, to ascend; figuratively, to be valuable (objectively; useful, subjectively; benefited)
  • and they shall be ashamed H954 (בּוּשׁ) — properly, to pale, i.e. by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed
  • of your revenues H8393 (תְּבוּאָה) — income, i.e. produce (literally or figuratively)
  • because of the fierce H2740 (חָרוֹן) — a burning of anger
  • anger H639 (אַף) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
  • of Yhwh H3068 (יְהֹוָה) — (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God

14 Thus saith Jehovah against all mine evil neighbors, that touch the inheritance which I have caused my people Israel to inherit: Behold, I will pluck them up from off their land, and will pluck up the house of Judah from among them.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Thus saith H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)
  • Yhwh H3068 (יְהֹוָה) — (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God
  • against all mine evil H7451 (רַע) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
  • neighbours H7934 (שָׁכֵן) — a resident; by extension, a fellow-citizen
  • that touch H5060 (נָגַע) — properly, to touch, i.e. lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive, acquire);…
  • the inheritance H5159 (נַחֲלָה) — properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
  • which I have caused my people H5971 (עַם) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
  • Israel H3478 (יִשְׂרָאֵל) — he will rule as God; Jisraël, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
  • to inherit H5157 (נָחַל) — to inherit (as a (figurative) mode of descent), or (generally) to occupy; causatively, to bequeath, or (generally) distribute, instate
  • Behold, I will pluck them out H5428 (נָתַשׁ) — to tear away
  • of their land H127 (אֲדָמָה) — soil (from its general redness)
  • and pluck out H5428 (נָתַשׁ) — to tear away
  • the house H1004 (בַּיִת) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
  • of Judah H3063 (יְהוּדָה) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
  • from among H8432 (תָּוֶךְ) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre

15 And it shall come to pass, after that I have plucked them up, I will return and have compassion on them; and I will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • And it shall come to pass, after H310 (אַחַר) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
  • that I have plucked them out H5428 (נָתַשׁ) — to tear away
  • I will return H7725 (שׁוּב) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally…
  • and have compassion H7355 (רָחַם) — to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate
  • on them, and will bring them again H7725 (שׁוּב) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally…
  • every man H376 (אִישׁ) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
  • to his heritage H5159 (נַחֲלָה) — properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
  • and every man H376 (אִישׁ) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
  • to his land H776 (אֶרֶץ) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

16 And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, As Jehovah liveth; even as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built up in the midst of my people.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently H3925 (לָמַד) — properly, to goad, i.e. (by implication) to teach (the rod being an Oriental incentive)
  • learn H3925 (לָמַד) — properly, to goad, i.e. (by implication) to teach (the rod being an Oriental incentive)
  • the ways H1870 (דֶּרֶךְ) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
  • of my people H5971 (עַם) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
  • to swear H7650 (שָׁבַע) — to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
  • by my name H8034 (שֵׁם) — an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
  • Yhwh H3068 (יְהֹוָה) — (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God
  • liveth H2416 (חַי) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing),…
  • as they taught H3925 (לָמַד) — properly, to goad, i.e. (by implication) to teach (the rod being an Oriental incentive)
  • my people H5971 (עַם) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
  • by Baal H1168 (בַּעַל) — Baal, a Phoenician deity
  • then shall they be built H1129 (בָּנָה) — to build (literally and figuratively)
  • in the midst H8432 (תָּוֶךְ) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre

17 But if they will not hear, then will I pluck up that nation, plucking up and destroying it, saith Jehovah.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • But if they will not obey H8085 (שָׁמַע) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
  • I will utterly H5428 (נָתַשׁ) — to tear away
  • pluck up H5428 (נָתַשׁ) — to tear away
  • and destroy H6 (אָבַד) — properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
  • that nation H1471 (גּוֹי) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
  • saith H5002 (נְאֻם) — an oracle
  • Yhwh H3068 (יְהֹוָה) — (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God