Jeremiah 11:17

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.

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}.

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."

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.”

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.

Jeremiah 11:17 (KJV) delivers a powerful declaration of divine judgment against Judah and Israel, emphasizing God's righteous anger over their persistent idolatry and unfaithfulness.

Context

This verse is part of a larger discourse in Jeremiah 11, where the prophet conveys God's renewed covenant with His people, reminding them of the blessings for obedience and the curses for disobedience (paralleling the Mosaic Covenant found in Deuteronomy 28). Jeremiah's ministry occurred during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, leading up to the Babylonian exile. The "house of Israel" refers to the northern kingdom, which had already fallen to Assyria, serving as a stark warning to Judah, the "house of Judah," which was following similar patterns of apostasy.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Care: The phrase "the LORD of hosts, that planted thee" highlights God's role as the benevolent planter and sustainer of His people. He established them, nurtured them, and brought them into the Promised Land, much like a gardener cultivates a vine. This imagery underscores the depth of their betrayal.
  • Covenant Violation and Idolatry: The core reason for the pronounced "evil" (calamity or disaster) is their egregious sin, specifically "offering incense unto Baal." This was a direct violation of the first commandment (Exodus 20:3), replacing the worship of the one true God with the worship of Canaanite fertility deities like Baal. Such practices were widespread and deeply provoked God's righteous anger.
  • Consequences of Sin: The verse powerfully states that their actions were "done against themselves." Sin is not just an offense against God; it is inherently self-destructive, leading to national ruin and personal suffering. God's judgment is a just response to their persistent rebellion and spiritual infidelity.
  • God's Righteous Anger: The phrase "to provoke me to anger" underscores the personal nature of God's response to their sin. It's not an arbitrary wrath but a holy indignation against injustice, betrayal, and the corruption of His chosen people.

Linguistic Insights

The title "the LORD of hosts" (Hebrew: Yahweh Sabaoth) emphasizes God's omnipotence and His command over heavenly armies and all creation. It signifies His absolute authority and power to execute His will, whether in blessing or judgment. The term "Baal" refers to a chief Canaanite god, often associated with storms, fertility, and agriculture. Worship of Baal often involved immoral rituals and child sacrifice, making it particularly abhorrent to the LORD.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 11:17 serves as a timeless warning against spiritual apostasy and the dangers of idolatry. While modern idolatry may not always involve literal altars to Baal, it can manifest in placing anything above God in our lives—money, career, relationships, power, or personal desires. This verse reminds us that:

  • God's past faithfulness does not negate the consequences of present disobedience.
  • Sin is ultimately self-destructive, harming not only our relationship with God but also ourselves and our communities.
  • God's patience has limits, and His righteous judgment will eventually come upon unrepentant sin.
It calls believers today to examine their hearts, remain faithful to the one true God, and avoid anything that might provoke His righteous anger, seeking instead to live in obedience and genuine worship.

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.

  • 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.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back