Jeremiah 11 16

Jeremiah 11:16 kjv

The LORD called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken.

Jeremiah 11:16 nkjv

The LORD called your name, Green Olive Tree, Lovely and of Good Fruit. With the noise of a great tumult He has kindled fire on it, And its branches are broken.

Jeremiah 11:16 niv

The LORD called you a thriving olive tree with fruit beautiful in form. But with the roar of a mighty storm he will set it on fire, and its branches will be broken.

Jeremiah 11:16 esv

The LORD once called you 'a green olive tree, beautiful with good fruit.' But with the roar of a great tempest he will set fire to it, and its branches will be consumed.

Jeremiah 11:16 nlt

I, the LORD, once called them a thriving olive tree,
beautiful to see and full of good fruit.
But now I have sent the fury of their enemies
to burn them with fire,
leaving them charred and broken.

Jeremiah 11 verses

Jeremiah 11 16 Meaning

The Lord once called you a "green olive tree, beautiful with good fruit." However, now He declares destruction because of the wickedness of your deeds and your people. The Lord has seen your actions and judged them as evil, leading to His decree of devastation.

Jeremiah 11 16 Context

This verse appears in Jeremiah chapter 11, where the prophet is denouncing the people of Judah for their disobedience and breach of the covenant with God. Earlier in chapter 11, Jeremiah recounts God's promises and stipulations to Israel, comparing them to a fruitful olive tree. This verse follows the narrative of God's disappointment and judgment because of their apostasy, particularly their involvement with idolatry and their neglect of God's commands. The "great tumult" signifies the coming invasion and destruction by foreign powers.

Jeremiah 11 16 Word analysis

• The Lord (YHWH): The personal, covenantal name of God. His declaration carries the authority of the covenant.
• called you: (Hebrew: qara). Implies designation, naming, and relationship.
• O green olive tree: (Hebrew: zayit ra'anan). The olive tree was a symbol of prosperity, beauty, and fruitfulness in the ancient Near East, especially in Israel. "Green" emphasizes vitality and health.
• beautiful with good fruit: (Hebrew: yefeh per-tov). Highlights the potential and expected outcome of Israel as God's chosen people.
• but: (Hebrew: ki). A strong adversative conjunction indicating a complete reversal of the previous state.
• with the noise of a great tumult: (Hebrew: kol mehūmah gedōlah). Refers to the clamor, uproar, and confusion of war and invasion.
• he will set fire to it: (Hebrew: yaset sippōn ōtō). Indicates complete destruction and judgment by fire. "Sippōn" (fire) conveys consuming judgment.
• and its branches shall be broken: (Hebrew: wənisberū qəlṣe'hā). Signifies the devastation of the tree, rendering it unproductive and barren, representing the severing of its strength and future.

Words-group analysis:

• "O green olive tree, beautiful with good fruit" is an idiom representing the flourishing state and purpose of Israel as God's covenant people.
• "noise of a great tumult" describes the devastating force of the impending invasion and judgment.
• "set fire to it, and its branches shall be broken" vividly portrays the utter destruction and barrenness that will result from God's judgment due to their sin.

Jeremiah 11 16 Bonus section

The metaphor of the olive tree is potent in Scripture. In the Old Testament, it often symbolizes Israel, God's chosen people, expected to bear the fruit of righteousness (Jer 2:3; Hos 14:6). The New Testament continues this metaphor, with Gentiles being grafted into the "good olive tree," which represents the people of God through faith in Christ (Rom 11:17-24). The breaking off of branches in Romans 11:17-20 refers to unbelieving Israel. Jeremiah 11:16 stands as a powerful warning against apostasy, illustrating that even a people chosen and once blessed can face severe judgment if they turn away from the Lord. The description of the tree being set on fire and its branches broken vividly represents the totality of God's judgment, impacting every aspect of their national life and religious observance. The "great tumult" could specifically refer to the sounds of battle and the ensuing devastation that characterized the invasions of Judah.

Jeremiah 11 16 Commentary

Jeremiah 11:16 delivers a somber pronouncement of divine judgment upon Judah. The Lord initially blessed them, likening them to a flourishing olive tree, symbolizing beauty, productivity, and a blessed future rooted in His covenant. This image evokes the richness and sustenance derived from the olive tree in ancient times. However, their unfaithfulness, marked by idolatry and disobedience to the covenant’s terms, has forfeited this divine favor. God, who is just and holy, cannot overlook their wickedness. The "noise of a great tumult" speaks of the imminent Assyrian or Babylonian invasion—a period of chaos and destruction. The decree of "fire" and "broken branches" signifies a complete devastation of their nation, temple, and way of life, rendering them barren and unproductive, just as their sin has rendered them barren of true righteousness. This judgment is a consequence of their breach of covenant, serving as a stark reminder of God’s holiness and the seriousness of breaking covenant with Him. It foreshadows the complete destruction of Jerusalem and the exile.

Optional Examples:

• The spiritual health of a believer, initially vibrant and producing good fruit through faith, can become barren if they turn away from Christ and embrace sin.
• A church community, once a source of spiritual nourishment and growth, can face decline if it strays from biblical teachings and falls into division or worldliness.