Jeremiah 11:11

¶ Therefore 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.

Therefore thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, Behold, I will bring {H935} evil {H7451} upon them, which they shall not be able {H3201} to escape {H3318}; and though they shall cry {H2199} unto me, I will not hearken {H8085} unto them.

Therefore ADONAI says, "I am going to bring on them a disaster which they will not be able to escape; and even if they cry to me, I will not listen to them.

Therefore 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.

Therefore thus saith Jehovah, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and they shall cry unto me, but I will not hearken unto them.

Jeremiah 11:11 delivers a stark and sobering prophecy from the LORD concerning the impending judgment upon the people of Judah and Jerusalem. It underscores the severity of God's wrath when His covenant is repeatedly violated and His warnings are ignored, emphasizing the inescapable nature of the consequences.

Context

This verse is situated within a section of Jeremiah's prophecy (chapters 11-12) where God reveals the "covenant" that Judah has broken. This refers primarily to the Mosaic Covenant, established at Mount Sinai, which outlined blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience (as detailed in Deuteronomy 28). Jeremiah was called to remind the people of their obligations and warn them of the consequences of their persistent idolatry and moral corruption. Despite God's earlier pleas and warnings, as seen in Jeremiah 11:8, the people continued in their rebellion. Therefore, the judgment described in verse 11 is a direct result of their unfaithfulness and refusal to repent.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Retribution: The LORD Himself declares He will bring "evil" upon them, signifying a direct, active intervention of judgment. This is not passive allowance but an intentional act of justice.
  • Inevitability and Inescapability: The phrase "which they shall not be able to escape" highlights that the decreed judgment is firm and unavoidable. Their opportunities for repentance have passed, and the consequences are now fixed.
  • Unheeded Prayers: The most severe aspect of this verse is God's declaration, "though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them." This indicates a point of no return, where even their desperate pleas will be met with divine silence due to their prolonged and hardened disobedience. This echoes similar warnings found in Proverbs 1:28 and Isaiah 1:15.

Linguistic Insights

  • The word "evil" (Hebrew: ra', רַע) in this context primarily refers to calamity, disaster, or affliction, rather than moral evil. It denotes the devastating consequences that God will bring upon them as a result of their own moral evil and rebellion.
  • "Hearken" (Hebrew: shama', שָׁמַע) implies more than just hearing; it means to listen with attention and to respond favorably or to grant a request. God's refusal to "hearken" means He will not respond to their cries for deliverance or mercy.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 11:11 serves as a powerful reminder of the seriousness of disobedience to God and the reality of divine justice. While God is abundant in mercy and slow to anger, there comes a point where persistent rebellion and rejection of His grace lead to inevitable consequences. This verse encourages believers today to:

  • Take God's warnings seriously: Do not presume upon God's patience, but heed His Word and calls to repentance.
  • Understand consequences: Recognize that choices have spiritual ramifications, and persistent sin can lead to severe judgment.
  • Seek God while He may be found: Emphasizes the urgency of repentance and seeking God's face before the door of mercy appears closed (cf. Isaiah 55:6).

Ultimately, this verse highlights the holiness of God and His unwavering commitment to justice, even as it underscores the tragic outcome of human rebellion.

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.

  • Proverbs 1:28

    Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

  • Ezekiel 8:18

    Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, [yet] will I not hear them.

  • Isaiah 1:15

    And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

  • Zechariah 7:13

    Therefore it is come to pass, [that] as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:

  • Micah 3:4

    Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.

  • 2 Kings 22:16

    Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, [even] all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read:

  • Jeremiah 14:12

    When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.

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