Jeremiah 11:23

KJV

And there shall be no remnant of them: for I will bring evil upon the men of Anathoth, [even] the year of their visitation.

KJV (with Strong's)

And there shall be no remnant {H7611} of them: for I will bring {H935} evil {H7451} upon the men {H582} of Anathoth {H6068}, even the year {H8141} of their visitation {H6486}.

Complete Jewish Bible

None of them will remain, for I will bring disaster on the men from 'Anatot when the year comes for them to be punished."

Berean Standard Bible

There will be no remnant, for I will bring disaster on the people of Anathoth in the year of their punishment.”

American Standard Version

and there shall be no remnant unto them: for I will bring evil upon the men of Anathoth, even the year of their visitation.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 11:23 delivers a stark divine judgment against the inhabitants of Anathoth, Jeremiah's hometown, who conspired to take his life. This verse proclaims a complete and utter destruction, ensuring "no remnant" will survive, as God Himself promises to bring calamity upon them during a divinely appointed "year of their visitation," a time of reckoning for their treachery and rejection of His prophetic word.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 11:23 concludes a deeply personal and dramatic segment of Jeremiah's ministry ([Jeremiah 11:18-23](/jeremiah/11-18-23 "Jeremiah 11:18-23 - The Plot Against Jeremiah and God's Response")). Prior to this, Jeremiah had been faithfully delivering God's message concerning Judah's broken covenant and the impending judgment for their idolatry and disobedience. Suddenly, God reveals to Jeremiah a sinister plot by his own townsmen in Anathoth to assassinate him, stating, "Let us destroy the tree with its fruit, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be remembered no more" ([Jeremiah 11:19](/jeremiah/11-19 "Jeremiah 11:19 - Plot Against Jeremiah")). This shocking betrayal from those closest to him elicits a prayer from Jeremiah for divine justice, which God answers directly in verses 21-23, promising swift and severe retribution against Anathoth. This immediate context underscores the gravity of rejecting God's messenger and the divine response to such profound opposition.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Anathoth, located a few miles northeast of Jerusalem, was a priestly city in the territory of Benjamin, and importantly, the hometown of Jeremiah himself. As a priest from Anathoth, Jeremiah's prophetic message carried a particular weight, and his rejection by his own community was a profound personal and spiritual blow. In ancient Israel, prophets were often met with hostility, and their messages, especially those of judgment, were frequently unwelcome. The cultural norm was to silence dissenting voices, particularly if they challenged the prevailing religious or political status quo. The men of Anathoth, likely complacent in their perceived security or resentful of Jeremiah's warnings, sought to eliminate the source of discomfort. God's response in Jeremiah 11:23 serves as a powerful deterrent against harming His anointed messengers and highlights the severe consequences for those who actively oppose divine truth.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah and prophetic literature. Firstly, it exemplifies **Divine Judgment and Retribution**, demonstrating God's unwavering justice against those who defy Him, especially when they persecute His prophets. The phrase "no remnant" emphasizes the totality of this judgment, leaving no survivors from the guilty party. Secondly, it highlights the **Consequences of Rejecting God's Word**, as the Anathothites' plot was a direct rejection of Jeremiah's (and thus God's) message of repentance and warning. This theme is central to Jeremiah's entire prophetic ministry, as he constantly laments Judah's refusal to listen to the Lord's voice, a refusal that ultimately led to their exile, as seen throughout [Jeremiah 25](/jeremiah/25 "Jeremiah 25 - Seventy Years of Captivity"). Thirdly, the concept of the "year of their visitation" underscores God's **Sovereign Timing and Precision** in executing His purposes, whether for blessing or, as here, for judgment. This idea of a divinely appointed time of reckoning is a recurring motif in prophetic warnings, found also in passages like [Isaiah 10:3](/isaiah/10-3 "Isaiah 10:3 - The Day of Visitation") and [Hosea 9:7](/hosea/9-7 "Hosea 9:7 - The Days of Punishment Come").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **remnant (Hebrew, _shᵉʼêrîyth'_):** This word (H7611) signifies a remainder or residual portion, often implying those who survive a calamity. In this context, the declaration "no remnant of them" is a profound statement of complete and utter destruction, indicating that no one from the plotting men of Anathoth will be left alive to perpetuate their line or memory. This is a severe judgment, contrasting with other instances where God preserves a "remnant" for His future purposes, as seen in [Isaiah 10:20-22](/isaiah/10-20-22 "Isaiah 10:20-22 - A Remnant Will Return").
* **evil (Hebrew, _raʻ'_):** This term (H7451) refers to something bad, morally or naturally, often denoting calamity, disaster, or misfortune. In this context, when God states He will "bring evil," it signifies that He will bring about severe, destructive consequences as a just punishment for the Anathothites' wicked intentions and actions. This highlights God's role as the sovereign dispenser of both blessing and judgment, not that He commits moral evil.
* **visitation (Hebrew, _pᵉquddâh'_):** This feminine passive participle (H6486) refers to a "visitation" in many senses, chiefly official, implying an inspection, reckoning, or divine intervention. While it can signify a visit of favor or blessing, as in [Ruth 1:6](/ruth/1-6 "Ruth 1:6 - God's Visitation of Blessing"), in this prophetic context, it unequivocally denotes a time of divine judgment and punishment. It emphasizes that God's intervention is precise, purposeful, and executed at an appointed time.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And there shall be no remnant of them:"** This clause declares a total and devastating judgment. The plotting men of Anathoth will be utterly annihilated, leaving no survivors, no descendants, and no memory of their lineage. This signifies the complete reversal of God's typical covenant promise to multiply and preserve a people.
* **"for I will bring evil upon the men of Anathoth,"** This provides the divine reason and agent for the judgment. God Himself, in His righteous indignation, is the one who will actively bring calamity and disaster upon these specific individuals. This is not a random misfortune but a direct, intentional act of divine retribution for their conspiracy against His prophet.
* **"even the year of their visitation."** This specifies the timing and nature of the judgment. It will occur at a divinely appointed "year," a precise time when God "visits" them, not with favor, but with a reckoning for their deeds. This phrase underscores God's sovereignty over time and His meticulous execution of justice.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 11:23 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of divine judgment. The phrase "no remnant of them" serves as **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the absolute and complete nature of the destruction, ensuring that not even a single survivor will remain. This strong language underscores the severity of God's wrath against those who plot against His anointed. The entire verse is a clear declaration of **Divine Retribution**, where God explicitly states He will personally "bring evil" (calamity) upon the men of Anathoth in response to their wicked intentions. This highlights God's active involvement in justice. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Prophetic Warning**, not only to Anathoth but to all who might consider opposing God's word or His messengers. The mention of "the year of their visitation" adds a layer of **Irony**, as "visitation" often implies a positive divine encounter, but here it is twisted to mean a visit of judgment and destruction, making the impending doom even more chilling.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 11:23 powerfully articulates the theological principle of divine justice and the severe consequences of rejecting God's authority and His chosen messengers. It underscores that God is not passive in the face of sin and rebellion, particularly when it involves direct opposition to His revealed will through His prophets. The concept of a "visitation" for judgment highlights God's sovereignty over time and His meticulous attention to human actions, ensuring that a day of reckoning will come for all unrepentant wickedness. This truth serves as both a solemn warning to the disobedient and a profound comfort to those who suffer persecution for righteousness' sake, affirming that God sees and will ultimately act.

* [Deuteronomy 32:35](/deuteronomy/32-35 "Deuteronomy 32:35 - Vengeance is Mine")
* [Psalm 7:15-16](/psalms/7-15-16 "Psalm 7:15-16 - The Wicked Fall into Their Own Pit")
* [2 Chronicles 36:15-16](/2_chronicles/36-15-16 "2 Chronicles 36:15-16 - Rejecting the Prophets Leads to Wrath")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 11:23 serves as a profound reminder that our response to God's word, especially when delivered through His faithful servants, carries eternal weight. It compels us to examine our own hearts: do we welcome correction and truth, even when it is uncomfortable, or do we resist and seek to silence it? The severity of Anathoth's judgment underscores that God takes opposition to His truth and His messengers very seriously. For believers, this verse offers both a sober warning against spiritual complacency and a deep encouragement. It warns us not to harden our hearts against conviction, lest we, too, face a "visitation" of divine discipline. Conversely, it reassures those who suffer for righteousness, reminding us that God is a righteous judge who will ultimately defend His own and bring justice to those who persecute them. This truth should inspire us to stand firm in faith, trusting that God is sovereign over all circumstances and will act in His perfect timing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I typically respond when God's truth, perhaps through a sermon or a difficult passage of Scripture, challenges my comfort or convictions?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to "silence" or ignore God's prophetic voice in my own life or in the church today?**
* **What comfort or warning does the concept of God's "visitation" (for judgment or blessing) provide for my daily walk with Him?**
* **How does this verse deepen my understanding of God's justice and His commitment to defending His servants?**

### FAQ
**What does "no remnant of them" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: "No remnant of them" signifies a complete and utter destruction of the specific group of men from Anathoth who conspired against Jeremiah. It means that none of them will survive the impending judgment, and their lineage or memory will be entirely cut off. This is a declaration of total annihilation for this particular group, highlighting the severity of their sin and God's absolute justice. It contrasts sharply with God's promise to preserve a remnant of Israel for future blessing and restoration, as seen in passages like [Isaiah 4:2](/isaiah/4-2 "Isaiah 4:2 - The Branch of the Lord").

**Why was God's judgment against Anathoth so severe?**

Answer: The judgment against Anathoth was severe because the men of Jeremiah's own hometown, who should have been his supporters, actively plotted to kill him for delivering God's message. This was not merely passive disobedience but active rebellion and an attempt to silence God's prophetic voice. Their actions constituted a profound rejection of God Himself and His covenant, making their sin particularly heinous. God's response demonstrates His unwavering commitment to His word and His prophets, and the grave consequences for those who oppose them, as also seen in the fate of those who rejected Jesus in [Matthew 23:37-39](/matthew/23-37-39 "Matthew 23:37-39 - Lament Over Jerusalem").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 11:23, with its declaration of judgment and "visitation" upon those who rejected God's prophet, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as Jeremiah faced rejection and plots from his own people, Jesus, the supreme Prophet, was rejected by His own, who cried out, "Crucify him!" ([John 19:6](/john/19-6 "John 19:6 - Crucify Him!")). The "year of their visitation" for Anathoth foreshadows the greater "visitation" of God in Christ, which brought both salvation to those who believed and judgment to those who rejected Him. Jesus Himself lamented over Jerusalem, prophesying its destruction because it "did not recognize the time of your visitation" ([Luke 19:44](/luke/19-44 "Luke 19:44 - Jerusalem's Destruction Foretold")). Ultimately, Christ is the one who will bring the final "visitation" of judgment upon all who reject Him, as described in His return as the righteous Judge in [Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11-16 "Revelation 19:11-16 - Christ's Return as Judge"). Yet, for those who embrace Him, His visitation brings eternal life and salvation, fulfilling the promise of a glorious remnant, not through human lineage, but through faith in the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of 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

Jeremiah 23:12

Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery [ways] in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, [even] the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.

Luke 19:44

And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

Hosea 9:7

¶ The days of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come; Israel shall know [it]: the prophet [is] a fool, the spiritual man [is] mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred.

Micah 7:4

The best of them [is] as a brier: the most upright [is sharper] than a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen [and] thy visitation cometh; now shall be their perplexity.

Isaiah 14:20

Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, [and] slain thy people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned.

Isaiah 14:22

For I will rise up against them, saith the LORD of hosts, and cut off from Babylon the name, and remnant, and son, and nephew, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 46:21

Also her hired men [are] in the midst of her like fatted bullocks; for they also are turned back, [and] are fled away together: they did not stand, because the day of their calamity was come upon them, [and] the time of their visitation.