Jeremiah 11:16

KJV

The 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

The LORD {H3068} called {H7121} thy name {H8034}, A green {H7488} olive tree {H2132}, fair {H3303}, and of goodly {H8389} fruit {H6529}: with the noise {H6963} of a great {H1419} tumult {H1999} he hath kindled {H3341} fire {H784} upon it, and the branches {H1808} of it are broken {H7489}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI once called you an olive tree, beautiful, full of leaves and good fruit. Now with the roar of a violent storm, he has set it on fire; and its branches will be consumed.

Berean Standard Bible

The LORD once called you a flourishing olive tree, beautiful with well-formed fruit. But with a mighty roar He will set it on fire, and its branches will be consumed.

American Standard Version

Jehovah called thy name, A green olive-tree, fair with goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 11:16 vividly portrays Judah's tragic deviation from its divine calling. Initially established by the Lord as a flourishing "green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit," symbolizing prosperity, beauty, and spiritual vitality, the nation's persistent unfaithfulness to the covenant has led to a dramatic reversal. The verse prophesies a devastating judgment, depicted by a "great tumult" and consuming "fire" that breaks its branches, signifying the impending destruction and desolation brought about by God's righteous wrath.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 11:16 is situated within a significant prophetic discourse (chapters 11-12) where the prophet Jeremiah delivers God's covenant lawsuit against Judah. This section immediately follows a renewed call to uphold the covenant (Jeremiah 11:1-8) and a lament over Judah's widespread rebellion and conspiracy against God (Jeremiah 11:9-15). The imagery of the olive tree in verse 16 serves as a powerful metaphor contrasting Judah's initial blessed state with its current state of apostasy, setting the stage for the pronouncement of judgment that follows in subsequent verses, including Jeremiah's personal suffering and the Lord's response to his complaints (Jeremiah 12).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy in Jeremiah 11:16 is delivered during the reign of King Josiah, or more likely, Jehoiakim, a period marked by increasing political instability and spiritual decline in Judah, leading up to the Babylonian exile. The olive tree was a staple of the ancient Near Eastern landscape and economy, prized for its longevity, evergreen nature, and valuable oil and fruit. It symbolized prosperity, peace, and divine blessing (e.g., [Psalm 52:8](/psalms/52-8 "Psalm 52:8 - The Righteous Like a Green Olive Tree")). The "tumult" and "fire" imagery allude to the impending invasion by foreign powers, specifically Babylon, which would bring about the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and the exile of the people. This was a common prophetic warning, using vivid destruction imagery to convey the severity of God's judgment for covenant unfaithfulness.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Jeremiah. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness and Breach**. God established Israel as a blessed nation, but their persistent idolatry and disobedience constituted a severe breach of the Mosaic Covenant, leading to severe consequences, as outlined in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Judgment and Retribution**. The "fire" and "broken branches" symbolize God's righteous wrath against sin and His sovereign act of bringing judgment upon a rebellious people. Thirdly, it speaks to **Israel's Identity and Purpose**, initially called to be a fruitful and beautiful witness to the nations, but now facing devastation due to their failure to live up to this calling. This echoes the warning in [Isaiah 5:1-7](/isaiah/5-1 "Isaiah 5:1-7 - The Song of the Vineyard"), where Israel is depicted as a vineyard that failed to produce good fruit.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This refers to the covenant God of Israel, the self-existent and eternal One (H3068). His calling of Israel by name as an olive tree emphasizes His personal, intimate relationship and sovereign choice in establishing them as His people, highlighting the depth of their betrayal.
* **green (Hebrew, _raʻănân'_):** This word (H7488) signifies verdant, fresh, flourishing, and by analogy, prosperous. It paints a picture of Israel's initial state of vitality, health, and divine favor, full of potential and blessing, contrasting sharply with their later desolation.
* **olive tree (Hebrew, _zayith'_):** The olive tree (H2132) is a potent symbol in the biblical world, representing prosperity, fruitfulness, longevity, and peace. Its oil was essential for light, food, and anointing. God's naming Judah as such signifies their intended purpose to be a source of blessing and light, bearing good fruit for Him.
* **tumult (Hebrew, _hămullâh'_):** This term (H1999), often associated with the noise of a large crowd or battle, signifies a chaotic and destructive sound. Coupled with "great" (H1419, _gâdôwl'_), it powerfully conveys the overwhelming and violent nature of the impending judgment and invasion that would befall Judah.
* **broken (Hebrew, _râʻaʻ'_):** This word (H7489) means to spoil, to break to pieces, or to make good for nothing. It vividly describes the devastating impact of the judgment, leading to the complete ruin and cessation of the olive tree's (Israel's) fruitfulness and vitality.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The LORD called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit":** This clause establishes Judah's foundational identity and blessed status as bestowed by Yahweh. "Called thy name" implies divine election and designation. The imagery of a "green olive tree" signifies vitality, prosperity, and enduring life, while "fair" (beautiful, comely) and "of goodly fruit" (producing excellent produce) underscore the nation's intended beauty, spiritual health, and capacity for bearing righteous fruit in obedience to God. This was God's original design and blessing for His covenant people.
* **"with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it":** This phrase marks a dramatic shift, introducing the instrument and nature of divine judgment. "The noise of a great tumult" vividly depicts the clamor and chaos of war, likely referring to the invading Babylonian army. The Lord Himself "hath kindled fire upon it," indicating that this destruction is not random but a direct, intentional act of God's judgment and wrath against Judah's unfaithfulness, consuming their once-flourishing state.
* **"and the branches of it are broken":** This final clause describes the devastating outcome of the "fire" and "tumult." The "branches" (H1808, _dâlîyâh'_) represent the strength, vitality, and extensions of the olive tree, symbolizing the people, their institutions, and their national existence. Their being "broken" (H7489, _râʻaʻ'_) signifies complete ruin, fragmentation, and the cessation of fruitfulness, illustrating the utter desolation and loss of identity that Judah would experience through exile and destruction.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 11:16 is rich in **Metaphor**, primarily employing the image of the "green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit" to represent the nation of Judah/Israel. This metaphor is deeply symbolic, conveying the nation's initial vitality, beauty, prosperity, and potential for fruitfulness under God's blessing. The contrast between this vibrant image and the subsequent destruction creates a powerful **Juxtaposition**, highlighting the tragic fall from grace due to covenant unfaithfulness. The phrase "noise of a great tumult" is an example of **Onomatopoeia** (though less direct in English, it evokes the sound of chaos and battle) and **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the overwhelming and destructive nature of the impending invasion. The "fire" is a potent **Symbolism** for divine judgment, wrath, and purification, leading to utter desolation. The breaking of the branches further employs **Imagery** that evokes destruction and the cessation of life and fruitfulness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 11:16 profoundly illustrates the principle of covenant accountability: God's blessings are contingent upon faithfulness, and disobedience inevitably leads to judgment. The initial depiction of Israel as a flourishing olive tree underscores their unique status as God's chosen people, set apart to bear fruit for His glory and to be a light to the nations. However, their persistent idolatry and rejection of His commands led to a reversal of this blessing, demonstrating God's righteous character which demands justice for sin. This passage serves as a stark reminder that divine judgment, though severe, is a just response to persistent rebellion and a necessary act to uphold God's holiness and the integrity of His covenant.

* [Psalm 52:8](/psalms/52-8 "Psalm 52:8 - The Righteous Like a Green Olive Tree")
* [Hosea 14:6](/hosea/14-6 "Hosea 14:6 - Israel Flourishing Like an Olive Tree")
* [Romans 11:17-24](/romans/11-17 "Romans 11:17-24 - The Olive Tree and Gentiles")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 11:16 offers a sobering reflection on the consequences of spiritual decline and the enduring importance of faithfulness to God's covenant. For us today, it serves as a powerful reminder that our identity and flourishing are rooted in our relationship with God. Just as ancient Judah was called to be a fruitful olive tree, believers are called to bear spiritual fruit, demonstrating a life transformed by the Holy Spirit. This verse challenges us to examine our own lives: are we truly abiding in Christ, drawing nourishment from Him, and producing "goodly fruit" in our character and actions? Or have we, like Judah, allowed spiritual apathy, idolatry, or disobedience to compromise our vitality and invite God's disciplinary hand? The "tumult" and "fire" serve as a stark warning that persistent rebellion against God's loving commands ultimately leads to spiritual barrenness and devastating consequences, urging us to humble ourselves, repent, and return to wholehearted obedience to the Lord, lest we lose our effectiveness and witness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, or my community, be tempted to stray from God's covenant, leading to spiritual barrenness?**
* **What "fruit" does God desire to see in my life, and how can I cultivate a deeper connection with Christ to produce it?**
* **How does the imagery of "fire" and "broken branches" in this verse inform my understanding of God's justice and the seriousness of sin?**

### FAQ
**What does the "green olive tree" symbolize in the Bible?**

Answer: The "green olive tree" (Hebrew: *zayith ra'anan*) is a rich symbol in the Bible, representing prosperity, vitality, longevity, peace, and divine blessing. Olive trees are known for their enduring nature, evergreen leaves, and abundant fruit, which yields valuable oil. In Jeremiah 11:16, it symbolizes Israel's initial state of flourishing and God's gracious establishment of them as a beautiful and fruitful nation, intended to be a source of blessing and a witness to the world. Other passages like [Psalm 52:8](/psalms/52-8 "Psalm 52:8 - Like a Green Olive Tree") and [Hosea 14:6](/hosea/14-6 "Hosea 14:6 - Israel Flourishing Like an Olive Tree") also use this imagery to depict the righteous or restored Israel.

**What is the "noise of a great tumult" referring to?**

Answer: The "noise of a great tumult" (Hebrew: *qôwl hămullâh gâdôwl*) refers to the clamor and chaos of warfare. In the context of Jeremiah, it specifically points to the impending invasion of Judah by the Babylonian army. This tumultuous sound signifies the overwhelming force and destructive power that God would bring upon His disobedient people as a form of judgment. It underscores the violent and devastating nature of the divine retribution for their covenant unfaithfulness, leading to the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 11:16, while a lament over Israel's unfaithfulness and impending judgment, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in the destruction of the old covenant tree, but in the establishment of a new, eternal covenant through Jesus Christ. Israel, the "green olive tree," failed to bear "goodly fruit," leading to its branches being broken. However, Jesus declares Himself to be the "true vine" (as seen in [John 15:1](/john/15-1 "John 15:1 - Jesus the True Vine")), inviting all who believe to abide in Him and bear much fruit, something Israel failed to do under the old covenant. The "fire" of judgment that consumed the unfaithful olive tree foreshadows the righteous judgment that would fall upon sin, a judgment ultimately borne by Christ on the cross. He became the "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")), thereby absorbing the divine wrath that disobedient humanity deserved. Furthermore, the imagery of the olive tree is picked up in [Romans 11:17-24](/romans/11-17 "Romans 11:17-24 - The Olive Tree and Gentiles"), where Paul explains how Gentile believers are "grafted in" to the rich root of Israel, becoming partakers of God's covenant blessings through Christ. This new spiritual Israel, comprised of both Jews and Gentiles united in Christ, is now called to be the truly fruitful "tree" that brings glory to God, fulfilling the original purpose for which Israel was chosen. The broken branches of the old covenant serve as a stark warning, while Christ offers the enduring life and fruitfulness that only He can provide.

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

Romans 11:17

And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;

Romans 11:24

For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural [branches], be graffed into their own olive tree?

Psalms 52:8

But I [am] like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.

Isaiah 27:11

When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, [and] set them on fire: for it [is] a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour.

Psalms 80:16

[It is] burned with fire, [it is] cut down: they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance.

Ezekiel 15:4

Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel; the fire devoureth both the ends of it, and the midst of it is burned. Is it meet for [any] work?

Ezekiel 15:7

And I will set my face against them; they shall go out from [one] fire, and [another] fire shall devour them; and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I set my face against them.