Jeremiah 1:11 kjv

Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree.

Jeremiah 1:11 nkjv

Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Jeremiah, what do you see?" And I said, "I see a branch of an almond tree."

Jeremiah 1:11 niv

The word of the LORD came to me: "What do you see, Jeremiah?" "I see the branch of an almond tree," I replied.

Jeremiah 1:11 esv

And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Jeremiah, what do you see?" And I said, "I see an almond branch."

Jeremiah 1:11 nlt

Then the LORD said to me, "Look, Jeremiah! What do you see?" And I replied, "I see a branch from an almond tree."

Jeremiah 1 verses

Jeremiah 1 11 Meaning

Jeremiah 1:11 immediately follows Jeremiah's divine commissioning, marking the active initiation of his prophetic ministry. The verse reveals the LORD's direct communication, beginning with a rhetorical yet profound question, "What seest thou?". This inquiry draws Jeremiah into actively observing and interpreting a divinely presented vision, preparing him to receive and convey God's message, starting with the symbolic image of an almond branch that appears in the subsequent verse.

Jeremiah 1 11 Context

Jeremiah chapter 1 introduces the prophet Jeremiah, his lineage, the historical period of his ministry, and his divine calling. Prior to verse 11, God had directly appointed Jeremiah "a prophet unto the nations" (v. 5), overcome his initial protests of youth and inexperience (v. 6), and provided assurance of divine presence and deliverance (v. 8). Crucially, God touched Jeremiah's mouth, putting His words into it, empowering him with authority "to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant" (v. 9-10). Verse 11 immediately follows this spiritual endowment, signaling the commencement of specific prophetic revelation. It initiates a pattern of vision and interpretation that defines a significant part of Jeremiah's message, primarily conveying judgment and ultimately restoration for Judah and surrounding nations who were at the cusp of Babylonian exile. The questioning format sets a personal, interactive tone for Jeremiah's reception of divine truth.

Jeremiah 1 11 Word analysis

• Moreover (וַיְהִי wa·yə·hî): This Hebrew connective is commonly translated as "and it was" or "now it happened." Here, it signifies a direct continuation or progression from the previous event (Jeremiah's commissioning). It signals the immediate onset of prophetic action and communication following the call.
• the word (דְּבַר də·ḇar): Derived from the root דָּבָר (davar), encompassing not merely an auditory sound, but a message, matter, affair, or decree. It refers to God's authoritative, substantial, and effective communication. This "word" is the direct and powerful speech of the Almighty, capable of fulfilling what it declares.
• of the LORD (יְהוָה YHWH): The divine covenant name of God (Yahweh), indicating His personal, eternal, and covenant-keeping nature. It underscores the ultimate divine authority and holy source of the message, establishing its truth and necessity as originating from the sovereign Ruler.
• came unto me: Denotes a direct, personal, and explicit revelation to Jeremiah. This was not a general spiritual impression or intuition, but a specific and undeniable communication, emphasizing God's direct initiative and Jeremiah's particular anointing to receive it.
• saying: Precedes the direct divine speech, confirming that the following words are verbatim divine utterance. This is a crucial element in prophetic texts, establishing the authenticity and immediacy of God's revelation through His chosen messenger.
• Jeremiah (יִרְמְיָהוּ Yirməyāhū): God's personal address to the prophet by name. This reinforces the intimate nature of their interaction and God's recognition of Jeremiah as His specifically appointed servant. It highlights the deeply personal nature of prophetic callings.
• what (מַה mah): An interrogative particle, initiating an open-ended question. It is designed not to elicit a pre-determined answer, but to prompt observation, engagement, and articulation of what is seen.
• seest thou? (רֹאֶה rō·’eh): From the verb רָאָה (ra'ah), "to see, look, perceive, discern." This goes beyond mere physical sight; it is a call for spiritual perception and discernment of a divinely presented vision. God challenges the prophet to actively participate in interpreting the revelation, making his spiritual eyes alert to divine meaning in symbolic imagery.
• Words-group:
  • Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying: This common prophetic formula authenticates the divine origin and authoritative nature of the message received. It emphasizes a direct, unmediated communication from the sovereign God, establishing the foundation of all subsequent revelations and ensuring Jeremiah's message carries ultimate authority.
  • Jeremiah, what seest thou?: This direct and personal question establishes an immediate, interactive dialogue between God and His prophet. It exemplifies God's pedagogical method, using an open question to prompt active observation, test spiritual perception, and draw out the prophet's interpretation of a symbolic vision, thereby preparing him to understand and convey its profound meaning. It signifies the prophet's required active role in discerning divine truth.

Jeremiah 1 11 Bonus section

This interaction models how divine revelation often unfolds: from an authoritative utterance ("the word of the LORD came") to a sensory experience ("what seest thou?"). God not only gives Jeremiah words but also gives him sights to process. The progression from commissioning to the presentation of a symbolic vision highlights God's preference for using concrete imagery and requiring the prophet's active interpretation, under divine guidance. This method contrasts with passive reception, demanding the prophet's mental and spiritual engagement. It implies that true understanding comes from both seeing with the eyes of faith and inquiring of the divine Giver, ensuring that the prophet is fully vested in the message he is to deliver.

Jeremiah 1 11 Commentary

Jeremiah 1:11 signifies the crucial pivot from Jeremiah's call to the concrete delivery of God's messages. By initiating a vision with the probing question, "What seest thou?", the LORD immediately immerses Jeremiah in the practical work of prophecy. This question serves multiple purposes: it hones Jeremiah's spiritual discernment, ensures his active engagement in the revelatory process, and establishes a direct, interactive method for God to communicate symbolic truths. It is a foundational step in training the prophet, demonstrating that divine revelation often requires the recipient's keen observation and God's subsequent interpretation, making Jeremiah not just a mouthpiece but an active participant in perceiving and delivering the Word of the LORD.