ScriptureDepth's study of Jeremiah 11
“Yet they didn’t obey, nor turn their ear, but everyone walked in the stubbornness of their evil heart. Therefore I brought on them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do, but they didn’t do them.’”
Jeremiah 11:8
Yahweh speaks to Jeremiah about the people of Judah, stating that their stubbornness leads to the consequences of breaking the covenant, which he commanded them to keep.
What Jeremiah 11 is about
Yahweh commands Jeremiah to tell the men of Judah and the people of Jerusalem to obey the covenant made with their ancestors (vv. 1-5). He warns them of the consequences of disobedience, stating that they have not listened to His words since they left Egypt (vv. 6-8). Yahweh reveals there is a conspiracy among the people, as they have returned to the sins of their forefathers and turned to other gods (vv. 9-11). He tells them that their cries for help will be futile because they worship false gods (vv. 12-15). Yahweh compares Judah to a beautiful olive tree, but He has pronounced judgment against them for their actions (vv. 16-20). The men of Anathoth threaten Jeremiah's life, but Yahweh promises to punish them (vv. 21-23).
Yahweh warns that He will not hear the cries of those who forsake Him and worship other gods.
Jeremiah 11 at a glance
- Jeremiah 11:1–5Call to Obey the Covenant
- Jeremiah 11:6–8Warning of Consequences
- Jeremiah 11:9–11Conspiracy and Idolatry
- Jeremiah 11:12–15The Futility of False Worship
- Jeremiah 11:16–20Jeremiah's Burden
- Jeremiah 11:21–23Threats Against Jeremiah
Key verse: Jeremiah 11:8
One thing to notice
The term 'covenant' appears in verses 3, 6, 10, and 11. The verses remind the people of Israel of their obligations to obey the covenant established during their deliverance from Egypt. They are warned about the consequences of ignoring it.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Jeremiah 11 (WEB)
Call to Obey the Covenant Jeremiah 11:1–5
1Verse 1. The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, saying, 2Verse 2. “Hear the words of this covenant, and speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem; 3Verse 3. and say to them, Yahweh, the God of Israel says: ‘Cursed is the man who doesn’t hear the words of this covenant, 4Verse 4. which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the iron furnace,’ saying, ‘Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you; so you shall be my people, and I will be your God; 5Verse 5. that I may establish the oath which I swore to your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey,’ as it is today.” Then answered I, and said, “Amen, Yahweh.”
Warning of Consequences Jeremiah 11:6–8
6Verse 6. Yahweh said to me, “Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Hear the words of this covenant, and do them. 7Verse 7. For I earnestly protested to your fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, even to this day, rising early and protesting, saying, “Obey my voice.” 8Verse 8. Yet they didn’t obey, nor turn their ear, but everyone walked in the stubbornness of their evil heart. Therefore I brought on them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do, but they didn’t do them.’”
Conspiracy and Idolatry Jeremiah 11:9–11
9Verse 9. Yahweh said to me, “A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 10Verse 10. They have turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, who refused to hear my words. They have gone after other gods to serve them. The house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers. 11Verse 11. Therefore Yahweh says, ‘Behold, I will bring evil on them, which they will not be able to escape; and they will cry to me, but I will not listen to them.
The Futility of False Worship Jeremiah 11:12–15
12Verse 12. Then the cities of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem will go and cry to the gods to which they offer incense, but they will not save them at all in the time of their trouble. 13Verse 13. For according to the number of your cities are your gods, Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have you set up altars to the shameful thing, even altars to burn incense to Baal.’ 14Verse 14. “Therefore don’t pray for this people. Don’t lift up cry or prayer for them; for I will not hear them in the time that they cry to me because of their trouble.
15Verse 15. What has my beloved to do in my house, since she has behaved lewdly with many, and the holy flesh has passed from you? When you do evil, then you rejoice.”
Jeremiah's Burden Jeremiah 11:16–20
16Verse 16. Yahweh called your name, “A green olive tree,beautiful with goodly fruit.”With the noise of a great roar he has kindled fire on it,and its branches are broken.17Verse 17. For Yahweh of Armies, who planted you, has pronounced evil against you, because of the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done to themselves in provoking me to anger by offering incense to Baal.18Verse 18. Yahweh gave me knowledge of it, and I knew it. Then you showed me their doings.19Verse 19. But I was like a gentle lamb that is led to the slaughter. I didn’t know that they had devised plans against me, saying,“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 no more remembered.”20Verse 20. But, Yahweh of Armies, who judges righteously,who tests the heart and the mind,I will see your vengeance on them;for to you I have revealed my cause.
Threats Against Jeremiah Jeremiah 11:21–23
21Verse 21. “Therefore Yahweh says concerning the men of Anathoth, who seek your life, saying, ‘You shall not prophesy in Yahweh’s name, that you not die by our hand;’ 22Verse 22. therefore Yahweh of Armies says, ‘Behold, I will punish them. The young men will die by the sword. Their sons and their daughters will die by famine. 23Verse 23. There will be no remnant to them, for I will bring evil on the men of Anathoth, even the year of their visitation.’”
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Jeremiah 11
covenant faithfulness
In this chapter, Yahweh calls the people to hear and obey the words of the covenant in v. 4, reminding them that their relationship relies on compliance. He recounts how He commanded their ancestors to obey His voice after delivering them from Egypt. The people's disobedience manifests a breach of this covenant, as seen in vv. 10-11, where they have turned to iniquities and other gods.
divine justice
Yahweh expresses His intent to bring justice upon the people for their unfaithfulness. In v. 11, He declares that ‘they will cry to me, but I will not listen to them’, indicating a consequence for their actions. The chapter culminates in v. 23 with Yahweh prophesying punishment for the men of Anathoth, ensuring that divine justice will prevail against those who threaten Jeremiah.
idolatry
The chapter addresses the idolatry of the people of Judah, particularly in vv. 12-13, where Yahweh notes their cities are filled with gods whom they cry to in times of trouble. He condemns their altars to Baal and their rejection of His covenant. This widespread idolatry leads to the divine judgment foretold in v. 11, as their false gods will not save them.
prophetic ministry
Jeremiah’s role as a prophet is evident in his burden for the people and their rejection of his messages. In v. 19, he likens himself to ‘a gentle lamb that is led to the slaughter,’ revealing his vulnerability amidst hostility. His prophetic mission is further illustrated in vv. 21-22, where Yahweh assures him of punishment against those who threaten his life for proclaiming God’s word.
Chapter outline
How Jeremiah 11 unfolds
Jeremiah 11:1–5 Call to Obey the Covenant
Yahweh commands Jeremiah to declare the covenant to the people, emphasizing the necessity of obedience to His voice for the establishment of their relationship (vv. 2-5).
Jeremiah 11:6–8 Warning of Consequences
God warns of the consequences of disobedience, recalling how the forefathers failed to listen, leading to their failure to fulfill the covenant (vv. 6-8).
Jeremiah 11:9–11 Conspiracy and Idolatry
God reveals a conspiracy among the people, highlighting their return to the sins of their ancestors and their breaking of the covenant by serving other gods (vv. 9-11).
Jeremiah 11:12–15 The Futility of False Worship
The futility of their false worship is stated, as they will cry to their gods in times of trouble, but these gods will be unable to save them (vv. 12-15).
Jeremiah 11:16–20 Jeremiah's Burden
Jeremiah expresses his anguish, comparing himself to a 'gentle lamb' unaware of the plot against him, while acknowledging Yahweh's righteous judgment (vv. 16-20).
Jeremiah 11:21–23 Threats Against Jeremiah
Yahweh warns Jeremiah about the threats from the men of Anathoth, declaring impending punishment for them, including death and famine (vv. 21-23).
Key verses
Jeremiah 11:8Yahweh speaks to Jeremiah about the people of Judah, stating that their stubbornness leads to the consequences of breaking the covenant, which he commanded them to keep.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Jeremiah 11
- observeIn v6, what words does Yahweh command Jeremiah to proclaim in Judah?
- observeWhat does Yahweh say is the fate of the men of Anathoth in v22?
- interpretIn vv. 9-10, what does Yahweh mean by a 'conspiracy' among the people?
- interpretIn v15, why does Yahweh ask, 'What has my beloved to do in my house'?
- applyWhen have you found it difficult to 'obey my voice' as called for in v4?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Jeremiah 11
- 1 Samuel 15Jeremiah 11:7 and 1 Samuel 15:22Both obey my voice: Jeremiah 11:7 says, “Obey my voice,” while 1 Samuel 15:22 states, “to obey is better than sacrifice.”
- Jeremiah 7Jeremiah 11:14 and Jeremiah 7:16Both don’t pray for this people: Jeremiah 11:14 says, “Don’t pray for this people,” while Jeremiah 7:16 states, “Don’t lift up a cry or prayer for them.”
- Jeremiah 17Jeremiah 11:20 and Jeremiah 17:10Both tests the heart: Jeremiah 11:20 says, “who tests the heart and the mind,” while Jeremiah 17:10 states, “I try the heart.”
- Jeremiah 15Jeremiah 11:14 and Jeremiah 15:1Both don’t pray for this people: Jeremiah 11:14 says, “Don’t pray for this people,” while Jeremiah 15:1 states, “my mind would not be toward this people.”
- Jeremiah 18Jeremiah 11:19 and Jeremiah 18:18Both devise plans against Jeremiah: Jeremiah 11:19 says, “they had devised plans against me,” while Jeremiah 18:18 states, “let us devise plans against Jeremiah.”
- Jeremiah 12Jeremiah 11:19 and Jeremiah 12:6Both dealt treacherously: Jeremiah 11:19 says, “they had devised plans against me,” while Jeremiah 12:6 states, “your brothers...have dealt treacherously with you.”
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