Jeremiah 12:2

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou hast planted {H5193} them, yea, they have taken root {H8327}: they grow {H3212}, yea, they bring forth {H6213} fruit {H6529}: thou art near {H7138} in their mouth {H6310}, and far from {H7350} their reins {H3629}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You planted them, and they took root; they grow, and they bear fruit. You are near in their mouths, though far from their hearts.

Berean Standard Bible

You planted them, and they have taken root. They have grown and produced fruit. You are ever on their lips, but far from their hearts.

American Standard Version

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 heart.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 12:2 captures the prophet's perplexed lament concerning the apparent prosperity of the wicked in Judah, despite their profound spiritual hypocrisy. The verse vividly portrays God's sovereign hand in allowing these unfaithful individuals to flourish outwardly, like well-rooted plants bearing fruit. Yet, it starkly contrasts their vocal profession of faith with their inner spiritual reality, revealing a people whose lips are near to God, but whose hearts, or "reins," are far from Him, exposing a deep chasm between external religious observance and genuine internal devotion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 12:2 is embedded within Jeremiah's "confessions" or laments, a series of deeply personal prayers and complaints to God found throughout the book. Specifically, it follows Jeremiah's direct challenge to God in [Jeremiah 12:1](/jeremiah/12-1 "Jeremiah 12:1 - Jeremiah's Complaint") regarding the prosperity of the wicked. The prophet, burdened by the unfaithfulness of his people and the impending judgment, struggles to reconcile divine justice with the observed success of those who betray God. This verse serves as God's implicit affirmation of Jeremiah's observation, acknowledging that indeed, He has allowed these wicked individuals to thrive, setting the stage for the subsequent divine response that broadens the scope of judgment while also hinting at future restoration. The immediate verses after [Jeremiah 12:2](/jeremiah/12-2 "Jeremiah 12:2 - The Prosperity of the Wicked") continue to describe the land's desolation as a consequence of their wickedness, further emphasizing the gravity of their spiritual state.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah prophesied during the tumultuous final decades of the Kingdom of Judah, from approximately 627 to 586 BC. This period was marked by political instability, the decline of Assyrian power, the rise of Babylon, and a pervasive spiritual decay within Judah itself. Despite reforms under King Josiah, the people quickly reverted to idolatry, social injustice, and a superficial adherence to the Mosaic covenant. The cultural landscape was one where outward religious performance, including temple worship and sacrificial rituals, often masked a profound lack of genuine devotion to Yahweh. The concept of "reins" (kidneys) as the seat of innermost thoughts and emotions was a common understanding in ancient Near Eastern cultures, signifying the core of one's being, distinct from mere verbal expression. This cultural understanding amplifies the indictment of hypocrisy found in the verse.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it highlights the **problem of the prosperity of the wicked**, a perennial theological question that deeply troubles the prophet, echoing similar laments found in [Psalm 73](/psalms/73 "Psalm 73 - The Prosperity of the Wicked"). Secondly, it underscores the pervasive **hypocrisy and spiritual superficiality** of Judah's population, a recurring indictment throughout Jeremiah's prophecies, where external religious observance (being "near in their mouth") is starkly contrasted with internal rebellion (being "far from their reins"). This theme is central to Jeremiah's call for genuine repentance and a new covenant written on the heart, as prophesied in [Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant"). Lastly, the verse implicitly affirms **God's omniscience and righteous judgment**, demonstrating that He sees beyond outward appearances to the true condition of the human heart, a foundational truth for understanding divine justice in the face of human sin.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **planted (Hebrew, _nâṭaʻ'_):** A primitive root meaning "to strike in, i.e. fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively)." In this context, it signifies God's active role in establishing or allowing the wicked to be settled and to thrive, as if He Himself has placed them in a fertile ground. This highlights divine sovereignty even over the circumstances of the unrighteous.
* **grow (Hebrew, _yâlak'_):** A primitive root meaning "to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry... go, grow." While _yâlak_ often means "to go" or "to walk," its use here in conjunction with "planted" and "bring forth fruit" clearly denotes a process of development and flourishing, implying that the wicked are not merely static but are actively increasing in their influence and success.
* **reins (Hebrew, _kilyâh'_):** Feminine, referring to "a kidney (as an essential organ); figuratively, the mind (as the interior self); kidneys, reins." In ancient Hebrew anthropology, the kidneys were considered the seat of the deepest emotions, conscience, and innermost thoughts, representing the true moral and spiritual core of a person. To be "far from their reins" means God is distant from their true character, their hidden motives, and their deepest affections, despite their outward religious claims.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root":** This clause attributes the initial establishment and stability of the wicked directly to God's sovereign allowance or action. Like trees firmly set in the ground, they have found a secure place and begun to establish themselves, indicating a period of unhindered prosperity and growth.
* **"they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit":** This continues the botanical metaphor, illustrating the progression of the wicked's prosperity. Not only are they established, but they are also flourishing, increasing in influence, wealth, or power, and achieving their objectives. The "fruit" represents the tangible outcomes of their endeavors, which, from Jeremiah's perspective, are seemingly positive and successful.
* **"thou art near in their mouth":** This segment shifts focus from their outward prosperity to their spiritual state, highlighting their verbal profession of faith or religious adherence. They speak about God, perhaps invoking His name, participating in rituals, or outwardly expressing piety. Their words suggest proximity and devotion to God.
* **"and far from their reins":** This starkly contrasts the previous clause, revealing the profound hypocrisy. While God is on their lips, He is utterly absent from their innermost being—their deepest thoughts, affections, and moral core (the "reins"). This signifies a complete disconnect between their outward religious performance and their true, rebellious hearts.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 12:2 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, specifically an **extended botanical metaphor**, where the wicked are compared to plants that are "planted," "take root," "grow," and "bring forth fruit." This imagery vividly portrays their apparent stability, flourishing, and productivity, which deeply troubles the prophet. The verse also uses powerful **Antithesis** in the latter half: "thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins." This sharp contrast between outward verbal proximity to God and inner spiritual distance underscores the profound hypocrisy of the people. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony** in God's apparent blessing (planting, rooting, growing, fruiting) upon those whose hearts are far from Him, highlighting the perplexing nature of divine providence that Jeremiah grapples with.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 12:2 is a profound theological statement on the nature of true faith versus superficial religiosity, and God's sovereign knowledge of the human heart. It addresses the age-old dilemma of the prosperity of the wicked, a theme explored throughout Scripture, affirming that God permits such flourishing while simultaneously knowing the true, unfaithful condition of their hearts. This verse serves as a divine indictment of hypocrisy, revealing that outward religious performance without inward devotion is an abomination to God. It underscores the biblical truth that God desires genuine heart-worship and that He sees beyond external actions to the deepest intentions and affections of the soul.

* [Psalm 73:3](/psalms/73-3 "Psalm 73:3 - Envy of the Arrogant")
* [Isaiah 29:13](/isaiah/29-13 "Isaiah 29:13 - Lip Service")
* [Matthew 15:8](/matthew/15-8 "Matthew 15:8 - Heart vs. Lips")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 12:2 serves as a timeless mirror for self-examination, challenging us to look beyond outward appearances and probe the true condition of our hearts. In a world often preoccupied with external success and public perception, this verse reminds us that God's assessment is based on authenticity, not just activity. It calls us to cultivate a faith that is deeply rooted in genuine love and devotion, where our words and our inner lives are in harmony with God's will. When we observe the apparent prosperity of those who disregard God, this passage encourages us to trust in God's ultimate justice and His perfect knowledge of every heart, even when His ways seem inscrutable to us. Our ultimate concern should be the integrity of our own hearts before Him, striving for a faith that is not merely "near in the mouth" but intimately connected to the "reins" of our being.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might my outward religious expression be disconnected from my inner spiritual reality?**
* **How does the prosperity of the wicked challenge my understanding of God's justice, and how can this verse help me reconcile that tension?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a deeper, more authentic heart-level devotion to God, rather than relying on superficial acts of piety?**

### FAQ
**Does God truly "plant" and allow the wicked to prosper, or is this just Jeremiah's perception?**

Answer: The verse explicitly states, "Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit." This indicates that God, in His sovereign control, does indeed permit or even enable the outward flourishing of the wicked. This is not merely Jeremiah's perception but a divine acknowledgment. It highlights God's overarching sovereignty, where even the success of the unrighteous falls within His permissive will or broader purposes, perhaps to demonstrate their true character, to test the righteous, or to set the stage for His ultimate judgment. This theme is explored elsewhere, such as in [Psalm 73](/psalms/73 "Psalm 73 - The Prosperity of the Wicked"), where the psalmist grapples with the same perplexing reality, only to find peace in God's ultimate justice and the destiny of the wicked.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 12:2, with its stark portrayal of outward piety masking inner rebellion, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament consistently exposed the inadequacy of mere external obedience and the deep-seated sinfulness of the human heart, as seen in the people of Judah being "near in their mouth, and far from their reins." Jesus, the perfect embodiment of truth and grace, repeatedly challenged this very hypocrisy among the religious leaders of His day, condemning those who honored God with their lips but whose hearts were far from Him ([Matthew 15:8-9](/matthew/15-8 "Matthew 15:8-9 - Heart vs. Lips")). He taught that true righteousness comes not from outward acts but from a transformed heart ([Matthew 5:20](/matthew/5-20 "Matthew 5:20 - Righteousness of the Kingdom")). The New Covenant, prophesied in [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31 - The New Covenant"), is precisely God's solution to this problem: through Christ's atoning sacrifice, the law is written not on tablets of stone but on the "hearts and minds" of His people, enabling genuine internal devotion and a new spiritual reality. Jesus, the true "plant" of righteousness ([Isaiah 11:1](/isaiah/11-1 "Isaiah 11:1 - The Branch from Jesse")), came to bear fruit for God ([John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Abiding in the Vine")), and through His Spirit, He enables believers to be truly near to God, not just in word, but in the deepest parts of their being, transforming their "reins" and making them new creations ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")).

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 29:13

Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near [me] with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

Titus 1:16

They profess that they know God; but in works they deny [him], being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Matthew 15:8

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with [their] lips; but their heart is far from me.

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.

Ezekiel 17:5

He took also of the seed of the land, and planted it in a fruitful field; he placed [it] by great waters, [and] set it [as] a willow tree.

Ezekiel 17:10

Yea, behold, [being] planted, shall it prosper? shall it not utterly wither, when the east wind toucheth it? it shall wither in the furrows where it grew.

Ezekiel 33:31

And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee [as] my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, [but] their heart goeth after their covetousness.