King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
But if they will not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation, saith the LORD.
Complete Jewish Bible:
But if they refuse to listen, then I will uproot that nation, uproot and destroy it," says ADONAI.
Berean Standard Bible:
But if they will not obey, then I will uproot that nation; I will uproot it and destroy it, declares the LORD.”
American Standard Version:
But if they will not hear, then will I pluck up that nation, plucking up and destroying it, saith Jehovah.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
But if they will not obey{H8085}, I will utterly{H5428} pluck up{H5428} and destroy{H6} that nation{H1471}, saith{H5002} the LORD{H3068}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Isaiah 60:12
- For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, [those] nations shall be utterly wasted.
Psalms 2:8
- Ask of me, and I shall give [thee] the heathen [for] thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth [for] thy possession.
Psalms 2:12
- Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish [from] the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed [are] all they that put their trust in him.
Luke 19:27
- But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay [them] before me.
1 Peter 2:6
- Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
1 Peter 2:8
- And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, [even to them] which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
2 Thessalonians 1:8
- In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Jeremiah 12:17
Jeremiah 12:17 is a part of the larger text in the Book of Jeremiah, which is a compilation of prophecies and sermons attributed to the prophet Jeremiah. This verse is situated within the context of a series of oracles against the nations, which are found in chapters 46 through 51 of the book. These oracles pronounce judgment on various nations, including Judah, for their disobedience to God and their idolatry.
The specific verse reflects the conditional nature of God's promises and blessings as presented in the covenant relationship outlined in the Torah. The theme here is that of divine justice and the consequences of failing to adhere to God's commandments. God, speaking through the prophet Jeremiah, warns that if the people do not obey His laws and statutes, He will "utterly pluck up and destroy that nation." This language of uprooting and destroying is consistent with the imagery of judgment found throughout the prophetic books of the Bible.
Historically, this verse would have resonated with the audience during the time leading up to and following the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE). Jeremiah prophesied during a period of great political and religious upheaval, as the Kingdom of Judah faced threats from the rising Babylonian Empire. The verse serves as a stark warning that the covenant curses for disobedience, as outlined in Deuteronomy 28, would be enacted if the people did not repent and return to faithful worship of Yahweh.
In summary, Jeremiah 12:17 emphasizes the themes of divine judgment, the importance of obedience to God's covenant, and the serious consequences of apostasy. It reflects the historical reality of Judah's precarious situation and the prophetic message that their continued existence as a nation was contingent upon their faithfulness to God.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H8085
There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁמַע
Transliteration: shâmaʻ
Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. - Strong's Number: H5428
There are 19 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָתַשׁ
Transliteration: nâthash
Pronunciation: naw-thash'
Description: a primitive root; to tear away; destroy, forsake, pluck (out, up, by the roots), pull up, root out (up), [idiom] utterly. s - Strong's Number: H6
There are 14291 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָבַד
Transliteration: ʼâbad
Pronunciation: aw-bad'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy); break, destroy(-uction), [phrase] not escape, fail, lose, (cause to, make) perish, spend, [idiom] and surely, take, be undone, [idiom] utterly, be void of, have no way to flee. - Strong's Number: H1471
There are 511 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גּוֹי
Transliteration: gôwy
Pronunciation: go'-ee
Description: rarely (shortened) גֹּי; apparently from the same root as גֵּוָה (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts; Gentile, heathen, nation, people. - Strong's Number: H5002
There are 358 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נְאֻם
Transliteration: nᵉʼum
Pronunciation: neh-oom'
Description: from נָאַם; an oracle; (hath) said, saith. - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.