Note: Words are shown in their original Hebrew order, which differs from English translations. This reflects the emphasis and structure of Scripture as originally written. Click any word to see its full lexicon entry.
1This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD:
4which I commanded your forefathers when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the iron furnace, saying, ‘Obey Me, and do everything I command you, and you will be My people, and I will be your God.’
5This was in order to establish the oath I swore to your forefathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is to this day.” “Amen, LORD,” I answered.
6Then the LORD said to me, “Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying: Hear the words of this covenant and carry them out.
8Yet they would not obey or incline their ears, but each one followed the stubbornness of his evil heart. So I brought on them all the curses of this covenant I had commanded them to follow but they did not keep.”
10They have returned to the sins of their forefathers who refused to obey My words. They have followed other gods to serve them. The house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken the covenant I made with their fathers.
11Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘I am about to bring upon them a disaster that they cannot escape. They will cry out to Me, but I will not listen to them.
12Then the cities of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem will go and cry out to the gods to which they have been burning incense, but these gods certainly will not save them in their time of disaster.
13Your gods are indeed as numerous as your cities, O Judah; the altars of shame you have set up—the altars to burn incense to Baal—are as many as the streets of Jerusalem.’
14As for you, do not pray for these people. Do not raise up a cry or a prayer on their behalf, for I will not be listening when they call out to Me in their time of disaster.
16The LORD once called you a flourishing olive tree, beautiful with well-formed fruit. But with a mighty roar He will set it on fire, and its branches will be consumed.
17The LORD of Hosts, who planted you, has decreed disaster against you on account of the evil that the house of Israel and the house of Judah have brought upon themselves, provoking Me to anger by burning incense to Baal.”
19For I was like a gentle lamb led to slaughter; I did not know that they had plotted against me: “Let us destroy the tree with its fruit; let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be remembered no more.”
21Therefore this is what the LORD says concerning the people of Anathoth who are seeking your life and saying, “You must not prophesy in the name of the LORD, or you will die by our hand.”
Jeremiah chapter 11 records God's solemn call to the people of Judah and Jerusalem to honor the covenant He established with their forefathers at Mount Sinai. The chapter contrasts God's patient appeals to obedience with the people's stubborn rebellion and idolatry. Facing a conspiracy of covenant-breaking and the worship of false gods like Baal, God announces judgment upon the nation, and also reveals to Jeremiah a plot against his own life by the men of his hometown, Anathoth.
God commands Jeremiah to proclaim the covenant terms to Judah and Jerusalem. The covenant referenced here is the foundational agreement made between the Lord and Israel at the Exodus—the promise that if Israel obeys God's voice, they will be His people and He will be their God (v. 4). This covenant included the solemn oath to give them "a land flowing with milk and honey" (v. 5). Notice Jeremiah's immediate response: "So be it, O LORD" (v. 5). His swift affirmation shows a faithful servant's willingness to support God's Word, even when it carries a message of judgment.
Application: True obedience to God flows from covenantal relationship, not mere external works. As believers, we live under the New Covenant in Christ, with the same fundamental requirement: faith expressed through obedience.
God instructs Jeremiah to broadcast the covenant message publicly (v. 6). Yet verses 7–8 reveal the tragic reality: though the Lord had "earnestly protested" to Israel's fathers from the Exodus onward, they refused to listen. Instead of obeying God's voice, "they walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart" (v. 8). This phrase captures the heart of Israel's sin—not ignorance, but willful rebellion rooted in self-centered desires. God promises to bring upon them all the curses of the covenant they have violated.
Application: God's patience is remarkable, but it is not endless. Persistent rejection of His Word leads to judgment. We must not harden our hearts through repeated disobedience.
God reveals to Jeremiah that "a conspiracy is found among the men of Judah" (v. 9)—not a political plot, but a coordinated turning away from the Lord to idolatry. They have "turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers" (v. 10) and broken His covenant by serving other gods (v. 10). Verses 12–13 paint a shocking picture: they have multiplied their gods and altars proportionately to their cities and streets, setting up shameful altars to Baal. God's response is severe: judgment shall come that they cannot escape (v. 11), and even their cries to false gods will not save them (v. 12). Most striking, God instructs Jeremiah, "pray not thou for this people" (v. 14)—an extraordinary withholding of mercy.
Application: Idolatry—whether literal or spiritual (setting anything before God)—breaks covenant and invites judgment. Intercessory prayer cannot override the consequences of persistent, unrepentant rebellion.
God uses the metaphor of a beloved olive tree, once fair and fruitful, now kindled with fire and broken (vv. 15–16). Israel is that tree—planted by the Lord Himself, yet corrupted by lewdness and idolatry. The burning represents God's judgment upon the covenant-breakers.
Jeremiah learns of a plot against his own life by the men of Anathoth, his hometown (v. 19)—those who say, "Prophesy not in the name of the LORD, that thou die not" (v. 21). Jeremiah appeals to God's justice (v. 20), and God assures him that He will punish these enemies (vv. 22–23).
Application for Today
This chapter reminds us that God's covenant calls for genuine obedience, not mere profession. Idolatry and unfaithfulness carry real consequences. Yet it also encourages faithful servants like Jeremiah: God sees our persecution, knows our hearts, and will ultimately vindicate His people and judgment His enemies. In Christ, we have a better covenant and a sure hope of salvation.
Study Notes — Jeremiah 11
6 sectionsJeremiah chapter 11 records God's solemn call to the people of Judah and Jerusalem to honor the covenant He established with their forefathers at Mount Sinai. The chapter contrasts God's patient appeals to obedience with the people's stubborn rebellion and idolatry. Facing a conspiracy of covenant-breaking and the worship of false gods like Baal, God announces judgment upon the nation, and also reveals to Jeremiah a plot against his own life by the men of his hometown, Anathoth.
God commands Jeremiah to proclaim the covenant terms to Judah and Jerusalem. The covenant referenced here is the foundational agreement made between the Lord and Israel at the Exodus—the promise that if Israel obeys God's voice, they will be His people and He will be their God (v. 4). This covenant included the solemn oath to give them "a land flowing with milk and honey" (v. 5). Notice Jeremiah's immediate response: "So be it, O LORD" (v. 5). His swift affirmation shows a faithful servant's willingness to support God's Word, even when it carries a message of judgment.
Application: True obedience to God flows from covenantal relationship, not mere external works. As believers, we live under the New Covenant in Christ, with the same fundamental requirement: faith expressed through obedience.
God instructs Jeremiah to broadcast the covenant message publicly (v. 6). Yet verses 7–8 reveal the tragic reality: though the Lord had "earnestly protested" to Israel's fathers from the Exodus onward, they refused to listen. Instead of obeying God's voice, "they walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart" (v. 8). This phrase captures the heart of Israel's sin—not ignorance, but willful rebellion rooted in self-centered desires. God promises to bring upon them all the curses of the covenant they have violated.
Application: God's patience is remarkable, but it is not endless. Persistent rejection of His Word leads to judgment. We must not harden our hearts through repeated disobedience.
God reveals to Jeremiah that "a conspiracy is found among the men of Judah" (v. 9)—not a political plot, but a coordinated turning away from the Lord to idolatry. They have "turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers" (v. 10) and broken His covenant by serving other gods (v. 10). Verses 12–13 paint a shocking picture: they have multiplied their gods and altars proportionately to their cities and streets, setting up shameful altars to Baal. God's response is severe: judgment shall come that they cannot escape (v. 11), and even their cries to false gods will not save them (v. 12). Most striking, God instructs Jeremiah, "pray not thou for this people" (v. 14)—an extraordinary withholding of mercy.
Application: Idolatry—whether literal or spiritual (setting anything before God)—breaks covenant and invites judgment. Intercessory prayer cannot override the consequences of persistent, unrepentant rebellion.
God uses the metaphor of a beloved olive tree, once fair and fruitful, now kindled with fire and broken (vv. 15–16). Israel is that tree—planted by the Lord Himself, yet corrupted by lewdness and idolatry. The burning represents God's judgment upon the covenant-breakers.
Jeremiah learns of a plot against his own life by the men of Anathoth, his hometown (v. 19)—those who say, "Prophesy not in the name of the LORD, that thou die not" (v. 21). Jeremiah appeals to God's justice (v. 20), and God assures him that He will punish these enemies (vv. 22–23).
This chapter reminds us that God's covenant calls for genuine obedience, not mere profession. Idolatry and unfaithfulness carry real consequences. Yet it also encourages faithful servants like Jeremiah: God sees our persecution, knows our hearts, and will ultimately vindicate His people and judgment His enemies. In Christ, we have a better covenant and a sure hope of salvation.