Jeremiah 11 19

Jeremiah 11:19 kjv

But I was like a lamb or an ox that is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, saying, Let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered.

Jeremiah 11:19 nkjv

But I was like a docile lamb brought to the slaughter; and I did not know that they had devised schemes 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 remembered no more."

Jeremiah 11:19 niv

I had been like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter; I did not realize that they had plotted against me, saying, "Let us destroy the tree and its fruit; let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name be remembered no more."

Jeremiah 11:19 esv

But I was like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter. I did not know it was against me they devised schemes, saying, "Let us destroy the tree with its fruit, let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name be remembered no more."

Jeremiah 11:19 nlt

I was like a lamb being led to the slaughter. I had no idea that they were planning to kill me! "Let's destroy this man and all his words," they said. "Let's cut him down, so his name will be forgotten forever."

Jeremiah 11 verses

Jeremiah 11 19 Meaning

Jeremiah 11:19 portrays the prophet Jeremiah's profound sense of betrayal and vulnerability, likening himself to a docile lamb unaware of its imminent slaughter. It reveals a treacherous plot against his life and legacy orchestrated by those whom he likely ministered to or interacted with. The conspirators intended not only to murder him physically ("cut him off from the land of the living") but also to utterly erase his influence, message, and memory ("destroy the tree with its fruit... so that his name will no longer be remembered"). This verse encapsulates Jeremiah's personal suffering amidst his prophetic ministry, highlighting the hostility he faced for delivering God's challenging word.

Jeremiah 11 19 Context

Jeremiah 11 opens with a divine command for Jeremiah to reiterate the terms of God's covenant, urging the people of Judah and Jerusalem to obey His laws given to their ancestors. This is set against the backdrop of King Jehoiakim's reign (late 7th century BC), a period of national decline marked by widespread idolatry, moral decay, and political maneuvering amidst rising Babylonian power. God reveals that the people have persistently broken this covenant, worshiping other gods, particularly Baal (Jer. 11:10-13), thereby nullifying their covenant relationship.

God then declares a severe judgment, refusing to hear Jeremiah's intercession for them (Jer. 11:14). Jeremiah's "beloved" people are depicted as engaged in "wicked schemes" (Jer. 11:15-16), and judgment will be enacted upon them like a mighty tempest uprooting a once-flourishing olive tree. It is in this environment of pronounced national apostasy and impending judgment that Jeremiah reveals a personal crisis. His own countrymen, enraged by his prophetic condemnations and warnings, plot his demise. Verse 19 specifically details the shocking depth of their malice, targeting not just his life but his entire legacy, seeing him as a disruptive force they wish to permanently erase. This profound betrayal sets the stage for Jeremiah's laments and further appeals to God's justice throughout the book.

Jeremiah 11 19 Word analysis

• But I (וַאֲנִי֙, wa'ănî): This emphatic personal pronoun ("and I") highlights a sharp contrast and sudden shift from God's public judgment on the nation to Jeremiah's intensely personal and vulnerable experience. It draws attention to Jeremiah as a singular figure, distinct in his suffering and innocence.

• was like a gentle lamb (כְּכֶ֤בֶשׂ אַלּוּף֙, k'kewes allûf):

  • כֶּבֶשׂ (kebes): "lamb." Symbolizes innocence, helplessness, and often an animal destined for sacrifice.
  • אַלּוּף (allûf): This term, related to "tamed" or "domesticated," implies a lamb that is unsuspecting, docile, familiar, and perhaps even "beloved" or "leading" (as an "aluf" can also mean a tribal chief). Here, it conveys a profound lack of awareness, trusting innocence, and utter unpreparedness for danger. The combination paints a picture of extreme vulnerability and tragic naiveté. This phrase directly foreshadows the suffering servant of Isa 53, who is "led like a lamb to the slaughter."

• led to the slaughter (יוּבַל֙ לִטְב֔וֹחַ, yûval liṭbôaḥ):

  • יוּבַל (yûval): A passive verb form, "he was being led" or "is led," emphasizing that the action is done to him, not by him. It signifies a predetermined, inescapable trajectory towards destruction.
  • לִטְב֔וֹחַ (liṭbôaḥ): "for slaughter." Refers to killing, often in a ritualistic or purposeful manner, sometimes for sacrifice or consumption. It evokes images of a ceremonial, brutal, and unjust end.

• And I did not know (וַאֲנִ֤י לֹא־יָדַ֙עְתִּי֙, wa'ănî lo-yāda‘tî): This further emphasizes Jeremiah's innocence and the treacherous nature of the plot. His ignorance of their wicked intentions deepens the sense of betrayal, suggesting the conspirators were familiar individuals or those he thought might be allies. It portrays a lack of guile or suspicion, making him an easy target.

• that they had plotted designs against me (כִּֽי־חָשְׁב֥וּ עָלַ֛י מַחֲשָׁב֖וֹת, kî-ḥāšbû ‘ālay maḥǎšāvôṭ):

  • חָשְׁב֥וּ (ḥāšbû): "they plotted," "they thought," "they planned." This indicates premeditated malice and deliberate scheming rather than a spontaneous act.
  • מַחֲשָׁב֖וֹת (maḥǎšāvôṭ): "thoughts," "schemes," "devices." The plural suggests multiple plots or complex strategies, highlighting the depth and seriousness of their evil intent.

• saying (לֵאמֹ֑ר, lē'mōr): Introduces the exact words of the conspirators, revealing their venomous objectives.

• 'Let’s destroy the tree (לְכָרֵ֤ת עֵץ֙, l'ḵārēṯ ‘ēṣ):

  • לְכָרֵ֤ת (l'ḵārēṯ): "to cut off," "to destroy," "to cut down." A violent and decisive action of destruction.
  • עֵץ (‘ēṣ): "tree." A common biblical metaphor for a person, family, or even a nation. In this context, it represents Jeremiah himself, indicating the intention to kill him. It can also imply his spiritual vitality and influence.

• with its fruit (בְּלַחְמ֔וֹ, b'laḥmô): This phrase is debated by scholars.

  • לַחְמ֔וֹ (laḥmô): Most commonly means "its bread" or "its food," but here is likely interpreted as "its sap/vigor" (the life-giving force within a tree, linking to לח meaning "fresh/green") or metaphorically "its fruit" or "its produce" (its offspring, legacy, influence, or the impact of his prophetic words). The broader consensus suggests removing the source of its nourishment/vitality, thereby destroying any lingering influence or potential for revival. To "destroy the tree with its fruit" implies eliminating both the prophet and all he represents, his impact, message, and even his memory or posterity.

• And cut him off (וּנְכָֽרְתֶ֙נּוּ֙, ûnəḵārətennû): Repeats the verb "cut off/destroy," reinforcing the finality of their intended action.

• from the land of the living (מֵאֶ֣רֶץ חַיִּ֔ים, mē’ereṣ ḥayyîm): A common Hebrew idiom for death, removing one from physical existence on earth. It implies being killed.

• So that his name will no longer be remembered (וְלֹֽא־יִזָּכֵ֥ר שְׁמ֛וֹ ע֖וֹד, wəlo-yizāḵēr šmô ‘ôd):

  • שְׁמ֛וֹ (šmô): "his name." In ancient Hebrew thought, a person's name encompassed their identity, reputation, character, lineage, and lasting legacy. To be forgotten meant a complete annihilation of existence, both in the present and in posterity.
  • לֹֽא־יִזָּכֵ֥ר (lo-yizāḵēr): "will not be remembered" (passive). A desire for absolute obliteration, as if he never existed or left any mark. This is the ultimate act of contempt and rejection.

Words-group Analysis:

• "But I was like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter; And I did not know": This sequence powerfully evokes profound innocence, vulnerability, and a devastating lack of awareness concerning malicious intent. It underlines Jeremiah's deep sense of being personally betrayed by those he lived among, a betrayal made more painful by his unwitting state. This phrasing establishes him as a prefigurement of the suffering Messiah.

• "Let’s destroy the tree with its fruit, And cut him off from the land of the living, So that his name will no longer be remembered": This comprehensive and multi-layered declaration by the conspirators reveals a scheme of utter annihilation. They desire not only his physical death ("cut him off from the land of the living") but also the eradication of his prophetic influence, message, and future legacy ("destroy the tree with its fruit") and ultimately his complete removal from memory ("his name will no longer be remembered"). This isn't just about killing but about silencing and obliterating any trace of his existence and impact.

Jeremiah 11 19 Bonus section

• Divine Revelation: Jeremiah's "I did not know" suggests the plot was hidden, yet God revealed it to him. This immediate divine disclosure implies God's protective oversight, even when allowing the prophet to experience the threat.
• Significance of "Allûf": Beyond "gentle" or "docile," the term allûf can sometimes imply a close associate or friend. If understood this way, it deepens the tragedy by suggesting the plot originated from those Jeremiah might have considered friendly or familiar, adding another layer of betrayal.
• Foils to God's Purpose: The enemies' ultimate goal—that Jeremiah's name would no longer be remembered—stands in stark contrast to God's preservation of Jeremiah's message and name through his book. God ensured that the "tree" was not utterly destroyed, and its "fruit" (the prophetic word) continues to nourish generations.
• Prophetic Parallelism: This experience positions Jeremiah not just as a messenger but as a participant in the suffering of God. He experiences on a personal level the rejection and animosity that God Himself receives from His people, echoing Hosea and other prophets who intimately felt the pain of divine heartbreak.

Jeremiah 11 19 Commentary

Jeremiah 11:19 is a poignant confession by the prophet, exposing the severe personal cost of his unwavering fidelity to God's word. The imagery of the "gentle lamb led to the slaughter" captures his unwitting innocence and vulnerability, drawing a striking parallel to the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53 and ultimately Jesus Christ. Jeremiah's declaration "I did not know" underscores the treachery of his adversaries, likely members of his own community, making the plot profoundly personal and heartbreaking. Their design was comprehensive: to physically kill him ("cut him off from the land of the living") and utterly obliterate his prophetic influence and very memory ("destroy the tree with its fruit," "his name will no longer be remembered"). This malevolent intent demonstrates the intense hatred provoked by divine truth in a rebellious society. The enemies sought not just to silence the message but to erase the messenger from history, seeing his existence and prophetic utterance as an inconvenient "tree" that must be rooted out entirely.