Jeremiah 11:12

KJV

Then 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then shall the cities {H5892} of Judah {H3063} and inhabitants {H3427} of Jerusalem {H3389} go {H1980}, and cry {H2199} unto the gods {H430} unto whom they offer incense {H6999}: but they shall not save {H3467} them at all {H3467} in the time {H6256} of their trouble {H7451}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then the cities of Y'hudah and the people living in Yerushalayim will go and cry to the gods to whom they are making offerings; but they will not save them at all in their time of trouble.

Berean Standard Bible

Then 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.

American Standard Version

Then shall the cities of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem go and cry unto the gods unto which they offer incense: but they will not save them at all in the time of their trouble.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 11:12 serves as a stark prophetic declaration concerning the impending judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem. It foretells a time of severe distress when the people, having persistently rejected God's covenant and embraced idolatry, will desperately turn to the false deities they have worshipped. However, the verse unequivocally states that these idols, to whom they offered lavish incense, will prove utterly powerless to deliver them from their calamity, underscoring the futility of misplaced trust and the inevitable consequences of covenant unfaithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 11:12 is situated within a critical section of Jeremiah's prophecy, often termed "The Book of the Covenant" (chapters 11-20). This chapter specifically details God's renewed call for Judah to return to the covenant made at Sinai, highlighting their repeated transgressions, particularly their widespread idolatry. The preceding verses (Jeremiah 11:1-10) recount God's charge against Judah for breaking this covenant, culminating in the declaration of an unavoidable "evil" (disaster) that God will bring upon them (Jeremiah 11:11). Verse 12 directly follows this pronouncement of judgment, illustrating the people's futile response to the impending crisis. It emphasizes that even in their desperation, turning to their false gods will yield no salvation, reinforcing the inescapable nature of divine judgment when God's people abandon His ways. This verse sets the stage for further laments and prophecies of destruction throughout the book, demonstrating the direct link between disobedience and divine consequence.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Jeremiah's prophecy is the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, a period marked by political instability and spiritual decline in Judah. Following the reforms of King Josiah, there was a resurgence of idolatry, particularly under kings Jehoiakim and Zedekiah. The worship of foreign deities, including Baal, Asherah, and the "queen of heaven," had become deeply entrenched in Judahite society, even within Jerusalem itself, often involving practices like offering incense and child sacrifice (cf. [Jeremiah 7:18](/jeremiah/7-18 "Jeremiah 7:18 - Worship of the Queen of Heaven") and [Jeremiah 19:5](/jeremiah/19-5 "Jeremiah 19:5 - Child Sacrifice to Baal")). This widespread syncretism directly violated the first two commandments of the Mosaic Covenant, which demanded exclusive worship of Yahweh. Culturally, the ancient Near East was replete with polytheistic religions, and nations often adopted the gods of their neighbors or conquerors. Jeremiah's message directly confronts this pervasive idolatry, asserting the unique sovereignty and powerlessness of all other gods in contrast to the one true God of Israel. The "time of their trouble" refers to the impending Babylonian invasions and subsequent exile, which would serve as God's instrument of judgment against Judah's unfaithfulness.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 11:12 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah and biblical theology. Foremost among these is the **Futility of Idolatry**. The verse explicitly states that the false gods, despite receiving devotion and offerings, are utterly incapable of saving their worshippers in times of genuine crisis. This theme is a recurring motif in prophetic literature, highlighting the emptiness of anything that usurps God's rightful place (e.g., [Psalm 115:4-7](/psalms/115-4 "Psalm 115:4-7 - The Impotence of Idols")). Closely related is the theme of **Divine Judgment and Consequence**. The "time of their trouble" is presented not as random misfortune but as a direct, inevitable consequence of Judah's persistent covenant unfaithfulness and idolatry, a judgment decreed by God Himself (cf. [Jeremiah 11:11](/jeremiah/11-11 "Jeremiah 11:11 - God's Impending Disaster")). The verse also underscores **Misplaced Hope and Trust**. The people's desperate "cry unto the gods" reveals their reliance on false saviors, demonstrating a profound spiritual blindness and a failure to turn back to the only true source of salvation, the Lord God of Israel (cf. [Jeremiah 2:13](/jeremiah/2-13 "Jeremiah 2:13 - Broken Cisterns")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **go (Hebrew, _hâlak'_):** This primitive root signifies movement in a wide variety of applications, both literal and figurative. In Jeremiah 11:12, it describes the physical act of the cities' inhabitants "going" to their idols. However, it also carries a deeper implication of a decisive, deliberate turning or recourse. Their "going" is not a casual stroll but a purposeful journey to seek help, emphasizing their misplaced devotion and the active nature of their idolatry even in desperation.
* **cry (Hebrew, _zâʻaq'_):** This word denotes a shriek or loud cry, typically from anguish, danger, or distress. It conveys a sense of desperate appeal and urgent supplication. The use of "cry" here highlights the extreme pressure and fear the people will experience during the "time of their trouble," making their turning to idols an act of last-resort desperation rather than genuine faith, further emphasizing the futility of their chosen saviors.
* **save (Hebrew, _yâshaʻ'_):** This primitive root means "to be open, wide, or free," and by implication, "to be safe" or "to succor." It is a fundamental term for salvation, deliverance, and help. The emphatic negation "they shall not save them at all" (using a double negative construction in Hebrew, `lo' yoshi'u` and `yoshi'a`) powerfully underscores the absolute inability of the idols to provide any deliverance whatsoever, contrasting sharply with Yahweh's exclusive power to save.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then shall the cities of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem go,"**: This clause sets the scene, indicating a future event ("Then shall") when the entire populace, from the broader region of Judah to the capital city of Jerusalem, will undertake a desperate action. The verb "go" implies a purposeful movement, suggesting a collective and urgent turning towards their perceived sources of help.
* **"and cry unto the gods unto whom they offer incense:"**: This section reveals the object of their desperate appeal: the "gods" to whom they had previously demonstrated their devotion by "offer[ing] incense." The act of offering incense was a significant form of worship in the ancient world, signifying reverence, appeasement, and a desire for favor. This highlights the deep-seated idolatry that permeated Judahite society, indicating that even in their distress, their first impulse was not to return to the Lord but to cling to their false deities.
* **"but they shall not save them at all"**: This is the pivotal declaration of the verse, introducing a sharp contrast ("but"). It emphatically negates the possibility of salvation from these idols. The phrase "at all" (a strong double negative in the original Hebrew) underscores the absolute and utter powerlessness of these false gods. Despite the people's fervent cries and past devotion, these deities possess no capacity to intervene or deliver them from their impending doom.
* **"in the time of their trouble."**: This final phrase specifies the context for the idols' failure. It refers to the period of severe distress and calamity that God is bringing upon Judah as judgment for their covenant unfaithfulness. This "trouble" (Hebrew: _ra'_) encompasses adversity, affliction, and evil, making the idols' inability to help all the more devastating and revealing of their true nature as non-entities.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 11:12 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Irony** is prominent, as the very "gods" to whom Judah offered incense—a costly and devoted act of worship—are declared utterly incapable of providing salvation in their "time of trouble." This creates a sharp contrast between the people's misplaced faith and the idols' inherent powerlessness. The phrase "they shall not save them at all" utilizes **emphatic negation**, reinforced by the Hebrew construction, to underscore the absolute futility of their actions. This serves as a rhetorical device to highlight the complete absence of divine power in these false deities. Furthermore, the passage uses **juxtaposition**, placing the people's desperate "cry" immediately against the idols' inability to "save," thereby emphasizing the tragic and self-defeating nature of their idolatrous reliance. The prophet's language also carries a tone of **sarcasm** or **derision** towards the idols, implicitly mocking their impotence and the foolishness of those who trust in them.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 11:12 stands as a profound theological statement on the exclusive sovereignty and saving power of the one true God, Yahweh, in contrast to the utter impotence of all other deities. It underscores the biblical truth that salvation, deliverance, and true help come only from the Creator, not from human constructs or spiritual counterfeits. The people's desperate cry to idols in their "time of trouble" reveals a fundamental theological error: believing that created things or false gods could provide what only the living God can. This verse serves as a stern warning against spiritual syncretism and the dangers of compromising exclusive devotion to God, demonstrating that such compromises ultimately lead to desolation and a lack of true refuge when calamity strikes.

* [Psalm 115:4-7](/psalms/115-4 "Psalm 115:4-7 - The Impotence of Idols")
* [Isaiah 45:20](/isaiah/45-20 "Isaiah 45:20 - God Alone Saves")
* [Hosea 13:4](/hosea/13-4 "Hosea 13:4 - No Savior Besides Me")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 11:12 offers a timeless and sobering reflection for believers today. While modern "idols" may not be physical statues, they manifest as anything we trust in more than God for security, happiness, or deliverance—be it wealth, career, relationships, social status, political power, or even self-reliance and intellectual prowess. This verse challenges us to honestly examine where our ultimate hope and trust truly lie. When our own "time of trouble" comes, whether it be personal crisis, societal upheaval, or physical affliction, will we instinctively turn to these modern-day idols, only to find them utterly powerless to save? Or will our foundation be firmly rooted in the one true God, who alone has the power to deliver, sustain, and provide genuine refuge? This passage calls for a radical reorientation of our hearts, urging us to cultivate a consistent, exclusive, and deep reliance on God, not just as a last resort, but as our constant source of help, wisdom, and peace. It reminds us that true worship is not merely ritual but a whole-hearted devotion that recognizes God's unique sovereignty and saving power in every aspect of life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "gods" or sources of security do I tend to turn to first when facing personal "trouble" or uncertainty, before or instead of God?**
* **How does my daily life and decision-making reflect where my ultimate trust and hope are placed?**
* **In what ways might I be offering "incense" (time, energy, devotion) to things that ultimately cannot "save" me?**
* **What practical steps can I take to deepen my exclusive reliance on God and guard against subtle forms of idolatry in my life?**

### FAQ
**What does "the time of their trouble" refer to in Jeremiah 11:12?**

Answer: "The time of their trouble" refers to the period of severe judgment and calamity that God was bringing upon Judah and Jerusalem. Historically, this primarily points to the impending Babylonian invasions and the subsequent destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, culminating in the exile of the Jewish people. This trouble was not random misfortune but a direct consequence of Judah's persistent unfaithfulness to God's covenant, particularly their widespread idolatry and rejection of Jeremiah's prophetic warnings (see [Jeremiah 11:11](/jeremiah/11-11 "Jeremiah 11:11 - God's Impending Disaster")). It signifies a divinely ordained period of distress and punishment.

**Why did the people cry out to their "gods" if they were powerless?**

Answer: The people cried out to their "gods" because they had placed their faith and devotion in these false deities, believing them to be sources of power, protection, and blessing. Despite God's repeated warnings through prophets like Jeremiah, they had adopted the idolatrous practices of surrounding nations, offering incense and other forms of worship. In their desperation, when God's judgment began to manifest as severe trouble, their ingrained habit and misplaced hope led them to instinctively turn to the very idols they had served. Jeremiah 11:12 highlights the tragic irony and futility of this action, demonstrating that these "gods" were utterly incapable of delivering on the promises implicitly or explicitly attributed to them by their worshippers. Their powerlessness is precisely the point God is making.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 11:12, with its stark declaration of the futility of idols in the "time of trouble," finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament's repeated condemnation of idolatry ultimately points to the singular truth that salvation comes from God alone. Jesus, as the incarnate Son of God, embodies this exclusive saving power. Unlike the powerless "gods" to whom Judah vainly cried out, Jesus is the true and living God, who not only hears our cries but possesses all authority to save. He is the one "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), offering genuine deliverance from the ultimate trouble: sin and its eternal consequences.

Where idols fail utterly in times of distress, Christ stands as "a very present help in trouble" ([Psalm 46:1](/psalms/46-1 "Psalm 46:1 - God Our Refuge and Strength")). His sacrifice on the cross broke the power of sin and death, freeing us from the bondage of worshipping anything other than God—whether physical idols or the modern-day idols of wealth, power, or self. He is the only name "under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" ([Acts 4:12](/acts/4-12 "Acts 4:12 - Salvation Through Jesus Alone")). Thus, the desperate, futile cries to false gods in Jeremiah's day are contrasted with the confident, effective prayers offered to the Father in the name of Jesus, who "is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them" ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Intercession")). In Christ, we find the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to be our Savior, our deliverer, and our refuge in every time of trouble.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 32:37

And he shall say, Where [are] their gods, [their] rock in whom they trusted,

Jeremiah 2:28

But where [are] thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for [according to] the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.

Isaiah 45:20

¶ Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye [that are] escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god [that] cannot save.

Judges 10:14

Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation.

2 Chronicles 28:22

And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the LORD: this [is that] king Ahaz.

Jeremiah 44:17

But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for [then] had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil.

Jeremiah 44:27

Behold, I will watch over them for evil, and not for good: and all the men of Judah that [are] in the land of Egypt shall be consumed by the sword and by the famine, until there be an end of them.