Therefore 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:
Read it in contextThe Broken Covenant and Plot Against Jeremiah
Start reading at Jeremiah 11:1 (Jeremiah 11:1 to Jeremiah 11:23).
The passage begins with 'The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD' and concludes with God's judgment on the men of Anathoth, forming a distinct prophetic unit concerning the broken covenant and the plot against Jeremiah.
11:1The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
11:2Hear ye the words of this covenant, and speak unto the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem;
11:3And say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this covenant,
11:4Which 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:
11:5That 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.
11:6Then 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.
11:7For 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.
11:8Yet 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.
11:9And the LORD said unto me, A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
11:10They 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.
11:11Therefore 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.
11:12Then 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.
11:13For 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.
11:14Therefore 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.
11:15What 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.
11:16The 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.
11:17For 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.
11:18And the LORD hath given me knowledge of it, and I know it: then thou shewedst me their doings.
11:19But 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.
11:20But, 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.
11:21Therefore 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:
11:22Therefore 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:
11:23And there shall be no remnant of them: for I will bring evil upon the men of Anathoth, even the year of their visitation.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Jeremiah son of Hilkiah is the prophet behind the book, with Baruch serving as his scribe. The complete collection includes narrative and a historical appendix as well as Jeremiah's dictated words. Biblical references: Jeremiah 1:1; Jeremiah 36:4; Jeremiah 36:32. stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Jeremiah 11:1–13:27): Judah and Jerusalem hear covenant warnings and enacted messages; Jeremiah also addresses the LORD about opposition and distress. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Judah and Jerusalem before and during the Babylonian crisis, exiles in Babylon, and later readers of the preserved prophetic collection. Individual oracles name additional recipients. Biblical references: Jeremiah 2:2; Jeremiah 29:1; Jeremiah 46:1. stated in the text
What
What is the main event or theme? The main theme is God's judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem for breaking His covenant and worshipping other gods. Specifically, Jeremiah 11:21 reveals a direct threat against the prophet Jeremiah by the men of his hometown, Anathoth, who forbid him from prophesying in the name of the LORD under threat of death.
What is God revealing? God is revealing His righteous anger and impending judgment against His people for their idolatry and disobedience. He is also revealing His awareness of the plots against His prophet Jeremiah and His promise to punish those who threaten His messenger for speaking His truth.
What is the literary style? The literary style is prophetic discourse, characterized by direct pronouncements from the LORD, Jeremiah's personal lament and prayer, and declarations of judgment.
When
When was it written? The book of Jeremiah was written between approximately 626 and 580 B.C. book background
When does the event take place? The events described in this passage occurred during Jeremiah's ministry, between approximately 626 and 580 B.C., specifically at a time when the people of Judah were actively breaking God's covenant and Jeremiah was prophesying against them. book background
Where
Where did it happen? The events described took place in Judah and Jerusalem, with the specific threat against Jeremiah coming from the men of Anathoth, which was Jeremiah's hometown. stated in the text
Where was the author located? Jeremiah was primarily located in Judah during the period when these prophecies were given and recorded, though he later went to Egypt. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in The Broken Covenant and Plot Against Jeremiah (Jeremiah 11:1 to Jeremiah 11:23).
Start reading at Jeremiah 11:1. The passage begins with 'The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD' and concludes with God's judgment on the men of Anathoth, forming a distinct prophetic unit concerning the broken covenant and the plot against Jeremiah.
How
How does it fit the broader context? This passage is part of Jeremiah's early ministry, where he is called to deliver God's covenant lawsuit against Judah. It highlights the intense opposition Jeremiah faced, even from his own community in Anathoth, for faithfully proclaiming God's message of judgment. This opposition foreshadows the widespread rejection and persecution Jeremiah would endure throughout his prophetic career, setting the stage for the severe judgments God would bring upon Judah. stated in the text
How does it point to Christ? Jeremiah, as a prophet rejected and persecuted by his own people, even those from his hometown, for speaking God's truth, foreshadows Jesus Christ. Jesus also faced rejection and threats from His own people, including those from His hometown (Nazareth), because He spoke the words of God. Both Jeremiah (Jeremiah 11:19) and Christ were like 'a lamb or an ox that is brought to the slaughter,' though Christ willingly went to the cross, fulfilling the ultimate prophetic role of suffering and vindication. interpretation
How do I apply it today? This passage reminds believers that faithfully proclaiming God's truth may lead to opposition, even from those close to us. It encourages steadfastness in the face of such threats, trusting that God sees and will ultimately vindicate His faithful servants. It also serves as a warning against rejecting God's messengers and His word, as such actions bring divine judgment. interpretation
Cited: Jeremiah 11:1, Jeremiah 11:2, Jeremiah 11:3, Jeremiah 11:4, Jeremiah 11:5, Jeremiah 11:6, Jeremiah 11:7, Jeremiah 11:8, Jeremiah 11:9, Jeremiah 11:10, Jeremiah 11:11, Jeremiah 11:12, Jeremiah 11:13, Jeremiah 11:14, Jeremiah 11:15, Jeremiah 11:16, Jeremiah 11:17, Jeremiah 11:18, Jeremiah 11:19, Jeremiah 11:20, Jeremiah 11:21, Jeremiah 11:22, Jeremiah 11:23, Matthew 10:21, Matthew 10:34-36, Luke 4:24, Matthew 21:35, Matthew 22:6, Matthew 23:34-37, Luke 13:33-34, Acts 7:51-52
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Jeremiah 11
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Jeremiah records words associated with his prophetic ministry and accounts surrounding Judah's fall. The book is not arranged as one continuous dated diary. Read each oracle's audience, occasion, and conditions rather than assigning every promise to every reader. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Oracles and enacted signs expose covenant unfaithfulness and the coming judgment, including the warning about Babylon.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. Oracles and enacted signs expose covenant unfaithfulness and the coming judgment, including the warning about Babylon.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Jeremiah
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Jeremiah records words associated with his prophetic ministry and accounts surrounding Judah's fall. The book is not arranged as one continuous dated diary. Read each oracle's audience, occasion, and conditions rather than assigning every promise to every reader.
Connection to the wholeNarratives and letters contrast competing claims about the LORD's word and address life under Babylonian power, including the exiles' situation.
Connection to the wholeWords of restoration appear amid announced judgment, including the new covenant promise; their wording and named audience must remain visible.
Connection to the wholeThe accounts follow conflicts around the prophetic word, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the choices of survivors, with a word to Baruch.
Connection to the wholeThe historical appendix recounts the disaster and closes with Jehoiachin's release, placing the preceding messages beside their historical aftermath.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.