Jeremiah 11:17

KJV

For the LORD of hosts, that planted thee, hath pronounced evil against thee, for the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done against themselves to provoke me to anger in offering incense unto Baal.

KJV (with Strong's)

For the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}, that planted {H5193} thee, hath pronounced {H1696} evil {H7451} against thee, for {H1558} the evil {H7451} of the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478} and of the house {H1004} of Judah {H3063}, which they have done {H6213} against themselves to provoke me to anger {H3707} in offering incense {H6999} unto Baal {H1168}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For ADONAI-Tzva'ot, who planted you, has decreed evil for you. "It is because of the evil which the house of Isra'el and the house of Y'hudah did to themselves, provoking me with their offerings of incense to Ba'al."

Berean Standard Bible

The LORD of Hosts, who planted you, has decreed disaster against you on account of the evil that the house of Israel and the house of Judah have brought upon themselves, provoking Me to anger by burning incense to Baal.”

American Standard Version

For Jehovah of hosts, who planted thee, hath pronounced evil against thee, because of the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have wrought for themselves in provoking me to anger by offering incense unto Baal.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 11:17 delivers a profound declaration of divine judgment against both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. It portrays the LORD of hosts, who lovingly established His people as a flourishing plant, now pronouncing calamity upon them due to their persistent and egregious idolatry, specifically their practice of burning incense to the pagan deity Baal. This verse underscores the severe consequences of covenant unfaithfulness and the self-destructive nature of sin, revealing God's righteous anger provoked by their spiritual rebellion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 11:17 is situated within a significant section of Jeremiah's prophecy (chapters 11-12) where the prophet reiterates the terms of the Mosaic Covenant and pronounces judgment for its violation. The preceding verses (Jeremiah 11:1-10) emphasize God's covenant with His people, reminding them of the blessings for obedience and the curses for disobedience, echoing themes found in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses of the Covenant"). The immediate context (Jeremiah 11:11-16) details the impending disaster that God will bring upon Judah, so severe that their cries will not be heard, and their many gods will be of no help. Verse 17 specifically identifies the root cause of this impending "evil" as their idolatry, linking it directly to their betrayal of the covenant relationship with the LORD.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah ministered during the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, a tumultuous period leading up to the Babylonian exile. The "house of Israel" refers to the northern kingdom, which had already fallen to Assyria in 722 BCE due to its persistent idolatry and covenant breaking. Their demise served as a stark historical warning to Judah, the "house of Judah," which was now facing similar judgment under the reigns of kings like Josiah, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah. Despite Josiah's reforms, widespread idolatry, particularly the worship of Baal, persisted among the people. Baal was a prominent Canaanite storm and fertility god, whose worship often involved immoral rituals, cultic prostitution, and even child sacrifice, making it an egregious affront to Yahweh, the God of Israel. The practice of "offering incense" was a central act of worship, and to offer it to Baal instead of the LORD was a direct violation of the first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before me" ([Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment")).
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Jeremiah and the broader Old Testament. It highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Care**, as the LORD is depicted as the "planter" of His people, emphasizing His benevolent establishment and nurturing of Israel and Judah. This imagery underscores the depth of their betrayal, as they turned away from their loving cultivator. The central theme of **Covenant Violation and Idolatry** is paramount, with the specific mention of Baal worship serving as a clear instance of their spiritual infidelity and a direct affront to God's exclusive claim on their worship, as articulated in the Shema ([Deuteronomy 6:4-5](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4-5 - The Shema")). Consequently, the verse vividly portrays the **Consequences of Sin**, asserting that their actions were "done against themselves," illustrating that sin is inherently self-destructive and brings about calamity. Finally, it reveals **God's Righteous Anger**, showing that His response to their persistent rebellion is not arbitrary wrath but a holy indignation provoked by their betrayal and the corruption of His chosen people, a theme echoed in other prophetic warnings like [Isaiah 59:2](/isaiah/59-2 "Isaiah 59:2 - Sin Separates from God").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the covenant name of God, YHWH, often rendered "Jehovah" or "Yahweh." It signifies "the self-Existent or Eternal One." The use of this name here, combined with "of hosts," emphasizes God's unchanging, sovereign nature and His absolute authority over all creation and heavenly armies. It underscores that the judgment comes from the ultimate, supreme authority, the very God who entered into covenant relationship with Israel.
* **planted (Hebrew, _nâṭaʻ'_):** This primitive root means "to strike in, i.e., fix; specifically, to plant." In this context, it uses the metaphor of God as a gardener who carefully planted Israel and Judah, nurturing them and establishing them in the Promised Land. This imagery highlights God's benevolent initiative, His long-term care, and the intimate relationship He desired with His people. It contrasts sharply with their subsequent spiritual barrenness and rebellion, making their unfaithfulness all the more grievous.
* **evil (Hebrew, _raʻ'_):** This term carries a broad meaning, encompassing "bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral); adversity, affliction, calamity." Here, it refers to the calamitous consequences or disaster that God has "pronounced" (declared) against Judah. It is not merely a moral evil they committed, but the resulting destructive judgment that will befall them as a direct consequence of their actions. The repetition of "evil" in the phrase "for the evil... which they have done" emphasizes the direct cause-and-effect relationship between their sin and God's judgment.
* **provoke me to anger (Hebrew, _kaʻaç'_):** This primitive root means "to trouble; by implication, to grieve, rage, be indignant." It describes God's emotional response to their actions. This is not a human, capricious anger, but a holy and righteous indignation against injustice, betrayal, and the corruption of His chosen people. Their idolatry directly offended His holiness and broke the covenant, thus "provoking" Him to a just and necessary response.
* **Baal (Hebrew, _Baʻal'_):** This name refers to a chief Phoenician/Canaanite deity, often associated with storms, fertility, and agriculture. The worship of Baal was a direct challenge to the LORD's sovereignty and a grave violation of the covenant, as it represented a turning away from the true source of life and blessing to a false god. The offering of incense to Baal signifies a complete shift in allegiance and worship, a profound act of spiritual adultery.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the LORD of hosts, that planted thee, hath pronounced evil against thee":** This clause establishes the divine agent of judgment and the basis for it. "The LORD of hosts" (Yahweh Sabaoth) emphasizes God's supreme power and authority over all creation, including the capacity to execute judgment. The phrase "that planted thee" serves as a poignant reminder of God's initial benevolent act of establishing Israel and Judah, nurturing them like a vine. This past care highlights the depth of their betrayal. God has now "pronounced evil" (declared calamity or disaster) against them, indicating a deliberate and just decree.
* **"for the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah":** This specifies the reason for the pronounced judgment. The "evil" here refers to the moral corruption, wickedness, and idolatry committed by both the northern kingdom (Israel, already fallen) and the southern kingdom (Judah, facing impending judgment). This highlights the pervasive nature of their sin across both branches of God's people.
* **"which they have done against themselves":** This crucial phrase underscores the self-destructive nature of sin. Their actions were not only an offense against God but also inherently detrimental to their own well-being, leading to national ruin, suffering, and exile. God's judgment, therefore, is not arbitrary but a just consequence of their own choices.
* **"to provoke me to anger in offering incense unto Baal":** This final clause pinpoints the specific act of rebellion that ignited God's righteous indignation. "To provoke me to anger" reveals God's personal and holy response to their spiritual infidelity. The act of "offering incense unto Baal" signifies the ultimate act of idolatry, a direct violation of the covenant and a replacement of the true God with a pagan deity, which was an abomination in God's sight.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 11:17 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The primary device is **Metaphor**, specifically the **Planting Metaphor**, where God is depicted as the one who "planted" Israel and Judah. This imagery evokes a sense of careful cultivation, nurturing, and expectation, making their subsequent unfaithfulness appear as a profound act of ingratitude and betrayal against their benevolent planter. The phrase "the LORD of hosts" functions as an **Epithet**, emphasizing God's omnipotence and His command over all creation, reinforcing the authority behind the pronouncement of judgment. **Repetition** of the word "evil" ("pronounced evil against thee, for the evil...") serves to underscore the direct causal link between their wicked actions and the calamity that will befall them. Furthermore, the explicit mention of "Baal" serves as a powerful **Symbol** of their complete spiritual apostasy and the depth of their covenant violation, representing the epitome of idolatry.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 11:17 profoundly illustrates the immutable principles of divine justice and the consequences of covenant infidelity. It reveals that God, who lovingly established His people, is also righteous in His judgment when they persistently reject Him and turn to idolatry. The "evil" they committed against themselves by provoking God's anger through Baal worship highlights the destructive nature of sin, which always carries inherent consequences that extend beyond the immediate offense against God to impact the sinner and their community. This passage serves as a stark reminder that God's patience is not infinite and that His holy character demands a response to unrepentant rebellion, ensuring that His covenant, though gracious, also holds His people accountable.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Hosea 8:1](/hosea/8-1 "Hosea 8:1 - Israel's Transgression of the Covenant")
* [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's Wrath Against Ungodliness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 11:17 remains acutely relevant for believers today, serving as a powerful warning against spiritual complacency and the insidious nature of idolatry. While we may not literally burn incense to Baal, modern idolatry often manifests in placing anything—our careers, possessions, relationships, comfort, or even our own desires and self-image—above God in our affections and priorities. This verse compels us to examine our hearts and ask what truly holds the preeminent place in our lives. It reminds us that God's past faithfulness and blessings do not negate the consequences of present disobedience. Just as Israel and Judah's sin was "done against themselves," our own unfaithfulness ultimately harms us, fracturing our relationship with God and hindering our spiritual flourishing. The "anger" of God is not arbitrary but a holy response to our turning away from the source of life, a righteous indignation against anything that diminishes His glory and our good. Therefore, we are called to a radical reorientation, to root out any form of idolatry, and to cultivate genuine, exclusive worship of the one true God, living in obedience and trust, recognizing that true life and blessing are found only in Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Baals" or idols might I be "offering incense" to in my life today, subtly or overtly placing them above God?**
* **How does understanding God as the one who "planted" me deepen my appreciation for His care and the gravity of any unfaithfulness?**
* **In what ways might my own actions, even seemingly small compromises, be "done against myself" and provoke God's righteous displeasure?**
* **How can I cultivate a more exclusive and fervent devotion to the LORD of hosts in my daily life?**

### FAQ
**What does "the LORD of hosts, that planted thee" mean?**

Answer: This phrase highlights two crucial aspects of God's relationship with Israel and Judah. "The LORD of hosts" (Hebrew: _Yahweh Sabaoth_) emphasizes God's supreme power, authority, and sovereignty over all creation, including heavenly armies. It signifies that He is the Almighty God who can execute His will. The imagery "that planted thee" uses a **metaphor** to describe God's benevolent act of establishing His people. Just as a gardener carefully plants and nurtures a vine or tree, God brought Israel out of slavery in Egypt, settled them in the Promised Land, and nurtured them as His chosen nation. This underscores His deep care and the intimate, covenantal relationship He initiated with them, making their subsequent rebellion all the more grievous.

**Why was offering incense to Baal such a serious offense?**

Answer: Offering incense to Baal was a profoundly serious offense because it represented a direct and egregious violation of the most fundamental commandments of the Mosaic Covenant, particularly the first commandment: "You shall have no other gods before me" ([Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment")). Baal was a Canaanite fertility god, and his worship often involved immoral rituals, cultic prostitution, and even child sacrifice, which were abominable to the LORD. By participating in such practices, Israel and Judah were not only abandoning the one true God who had redeemed them but were also adopting practices that corrupted their society and defiled their land. It was an act of spiritual adultery, breaking their exclusive covenant relationship with Yahweh and provoking His righteous anger.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 11:17, with its stark portrayal of divine judgment against a covenant-breaking people, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in a repeat of national destruction, but in the profound work of redemption and the establishment of a new covenant through Jesus Christ. The "evil" pronounced against Judah for their idolatry highlights humanity's pervasive sinfulness and inability to perfectly keep God's law, a truth echoed in [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned"). However, Jesus, the true "plant" of God, the righteous Branch ([Isaiah 11:1](/isaiah/11-1 "Isaiah 11:1 - The Branch from Jesse")), perfectly fulfilled the law and bore the full weight of God's righteous anger against sin on the cross. He became the ultimate sacrifice, taking upon Himself the "evil" that was due to humanity, as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - Christ's Atoning Suffering"). Through His atoning work, those who believe in Him are no longer under the condemnation for their idolatry and sin, but are reconciled to God ([2 Corinthians 5:18-19](/2_corinthians/5-18 "2 Corinthians 5:18-19 - Reconciliation Through Christ")). The new covenant in Christ's blood ([Luke 22:20](/luke/22-20 "Luke 22:20 - The New Covenant in His Blood")) offers forgiveness and empowers believers, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, to truly worship the LORD of hosts in spirit and truth, turning away from all forms of idolatry and living in genuine faithfulness to the one who "planted" them in Him ([Ephesians 2:10](/ephesians/2-10 "Ephesians 2:10 - God's Workmanship")). Thus, the judgment pronounced in Jeremiah 11:17 serves as a backdrop, magnifying the grace and mercy found in Christ, who delivers us from the just consequences of our sin and establishes us in an unbreakable relationship with God.

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

Isaiah 5:2

And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.

Jeremiah 12:2

Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou [art] near in their mouth, and far from their reins.

Jeremiah 2:21

Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?

Jeremiah 19:15

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon this city and upon all her towns all the evil that I have pronounced against it, because they have hardened their necks, that they might not hear my words.

Jeremiah 42:10

If ye will still abide in this land, then will I build you, and not pull [you] down, and I will plant you, and not pluck [you] up: for I repent me of the evil that I have done unto you.

Psalms 80:8

¶ Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it.

Jeremiah 18:8

If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.