Jeremiah 1:11

¶ Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree.

Moreover the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} came unto me, saying {H559}, Jeremiah {H3414}, what seest {H7200} thou? And I said {H559}, I see {H7200} a rod {H4731} of an almond tree {H8247}.

The word of ADONAI came to me, asking, "Yirmeyahu, what do you see?" I answered, "I see a branch from an almond tree [Hebrew: shaked].

And the word of the LORD came to me, asking, “Jeremiah, what do you see?” “I see a branch of an almond tree,” I replied.

Moreover the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond-tree.

Context of Jeremiah 1:11

This verse is part of the pivotal account of the prophet Jeremiah's divine call and commissioning by God. After expressing his unworthiness and youth, God assures Jeremiah of His presence and empowers him for his formidable task of proclaiming judgment and restoration to Judah. Following this initial commission (Jeremiah 1:4-10), God presents Jeremiah with two symbolic visions. The first, in verse 11, is the almond rod, immediately followed by the vision of the boiling pot in Jeremiah 1:13. These visions serve to confirm the certainty and immediacy of God's impending actions against a rebellious nation.

Key Themes in Jeremiah 1:11

  • Divine Communication and Revelation: The verse highlights the direct and personal nature of God's communication with His chosen prophets. God initiates the conversation, asking Jeremiah what he sees, thereby engaging him in the prophetic process and revealing His message through visual imagery.
  • Symbolism of the Almond Rod: The almond tree (`shaqed` in Hebrew) was significant in ancient Israel for being one of the earliest trees to blossom in late winter or early spring, signaling the quick arrival of the new season. This characteristic is central to its symbolic meaning here.
  • God's Watchfulness and Swift Action: The vision of the almond rod directly connects to God's promise to "watch over" or "hasten" His word to perform it. It signifies God's readiness, vigilance, and promptness in executing His divine plan, particularly concerning the judgments He would bring upon Judah for their idolatry and disobedience.

Linguistic Insights

The profound meaning of Jeremiah 1:11 lies in a powerful Hebrew wordplay that is crucial for understanding the verse. The word for "almond tree" is shaqed (שָׁקֵד). This word sounds very similar to the Hebrew verb shaqad (שָׁקַד), which means "to watch," "to be alert," or "to hasten." In the very next verse, Jeremiah 1:12, the LORD explicitly makes this connection, saying, "Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it." This linguistic link emphasizes God's unwavering vigilance and swift determination to fulfill His promises and warnings.

Related Scriptures

Practical Application

For believers today, Jeremiah 1:11 and its explanation in verse 12 offer both immense encouragement and a sober warning. It underscores the absolute certainty and effectiveness of God's word. Just as God was vigilant to perform His word concerning ancient Judah, He is equally vigilant over His promises to His people and His warnings to the unrighteous. This means:

  • Trust in God's Promises: We can have full confidence that God will fulfill every promise He has made, whether of salvation, provision, or future glory in the new heaven and new earth. His word is dependable.
  • Heed God's Warnings: The swiftness symbolized by the almond tree also reminds us that God's warnings against sin and rebellion are not idle threats but will be executed in due time, highlighting the importance of repentance and obedience.
  • God is Active: This verse beautifully illustrates that God is not a distant, passive observer but an active, vigilant sovereign who is always at work to bring His purposes to pass in the world and in our lives.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Amos 7:8

    And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more:

  • Amos 8:2

    And he said, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A basket of summer fruit. Then said the LORD unto me, The end is come upon my people of Israel; I will not again pass by them any more.

  • Zechariah 5:2

    And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof [is] twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits.

  • Zechariah 4:2

    And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all [of] gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which [are] upon the top thereof:

  • Jeremiah 24:3

    Then said the LORD unto me, What seest thou, Jeremiah? And I said, Figs; the good figs, very good; and the evil, very evil, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.

  • Numbers 17:8

    ¶ And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds.

  • Ezekiel 7:10

    Behold the day, behold, it is come: the morning is gone forth; the rod hath blossomed, pride hath budded.

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