Jeremiah 37:12

Then Jeremiah went forth out of Jerusalem to go into the land of Benjamin, to separate himself thence in the midst of the people.

Then Jeremiah {H3414} went forth {H3318} out of Jerusalem {H3389} to go {H3212} into the land {H776} of Benjamin {H1144}, to separate {H2505} himself thence in the midst {H8432} of the people {H5971}.

Yirmeyahu left Yerushalayim to go to the territory of Binyamin to receive his share of an inheritance there. He was passing through the crowds

Jeremiah started to leave Jerusalem to go to the land of Benjamin to claim his portion there among the people.

then Jeremiah went forth out of Jerusalem to go into the land of Benjamin, to receive his portion there, in the midst of the people.

Jeremiah 37:12 details a specific moment in the life of the prophet Jeremiah during the intense Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, highlighting his attempt to leave the city for personal reasons.

Context

At this point in the narrative, the powerful Babylonian (Chaldean) army had laid siege to Jerusalem. However, there was a temporary lifting of the siege because an Egyptian army had marched out to confront the Babylonians (Jeremiah 37:5). This brief respite created a false sense of security among many in Judah, but Jeremiah knew the reprieve was short-lived and the Babylonians would return (Jeremiah 37:7). During this window, Jeremiah sought to travel from Jerusalem to the "land of Benjamin." This was his tribal territory, and his hometown of Anathoth was located there. His purpose was to attend to a personal matter, perhaps related to his family's property or inheritance.

Key Themes

  • The Prophet's Personal Needs Amidst Crisis: Even a prophet divinely appointed to speak God's word had practical, personal responsibilities and needs. Jeremiah's attempt to go to Benjamin shows he was still a human being with earthly affairs to manage, even as Jerusalem faced its doom.
  • Misinterpretation and Persecution: Jeremiah's journey was tragically misinterpreted by the authorities as an attempt to desert to the Babylonians. This led to his arrest and subsequent imprisonment (Jeremiah 37:15), illustrating the prophet's constant suffering and opposition from his own people.
  • The Precariousness of False Hope: The temporary withdrawal of the Babylonian army created an illusion of safety. Jeremiah's attempt to leave the city underscores the reality that the danger was far from over, a truth he consistently proclaimed to a resistant populace.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "to separate himself thence in the midst of the people" (KJV) translates the Hebrew לַחֲלֹק שָׁם בְּתוֹךְ הָעָם (*lachaloq sham betokh ha'am*). The verb lachaloq (לַחֲלֹק) can mean "to divide," "to take a portion," or "to receive an inheritance." Therefore, modern translations often render this as Jeremiah going to "claim his portion" or "get his share" of property in the land of Benjamin. This suggests a practical, legal, or familial purpose rather than a spiritual act of separation, which makes his subsequent arrest for desertion particularly unjust.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 37:12 offers several insights for believers today. It reminds us that faithfully serving God does not exempt us from personal challenges or practical responsibilities. Moreover, it highlights the potential for misunderstanding and false accusation when we act with integrity, especially in times of public anxiety or political turmoil. Like Jeremiah, we may face opposition or have our motives questioned, but our call is to remain steadfast in our purpose and trust in God's ultimate vindication, even when our circumstances are difficult or unjust.

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.

  • Jeremiah 1:1

    ¶ The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that [were] in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin:

  • 1 Kings 19:3

    And when he saw [that], he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which [belongeth] to Judah, and left his servant there.

  • 1 Chronicles 6:60

    And out of the tribe of Benjamin; Geba with her suburbs, and Alemeth with her suburbs, and Anathoth with her suburbs. All their cities throughout their families [were] thirteen cities.

  • 1 Kings 19:9

    ¶ And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD [came] to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?

  • Jeremiah 32:8

    So Hanameel mine uncle's son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the LORD, and said unto me, Buy my field, I pray thee, that [is] in Anathoth, which [is] in the country of Benjamin: for the right of inheritance [is] thine, and the redemption [is] thine; buy [it] for thyself. Then I knew that this [was] the word of the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 32:9

    And I bought the field of Hanameel my uncle's son, that [was] in Anathoth, and weighed him the money, [even] seventeen shekels of silver.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:22

    Abstain from all appearance of evil.

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