Jeremiah 11 20

Jeremiah 11:20 kjv

But, O LORD of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I revealed my cause.

Jeremiah 11:20 nkjv

But, O LORD of hosts, You who judge righteously, Testing the mind and the heart, Let me see Your vengeance on them, For to You I have revealed my cause.

Jeremiah 11:20 niv

But you, LORD Almighty, who judge righteously and test the heart and mind, let me see your vengeance on them, for to you I have committed my cause.

Jeremiah 11:20 esv

But, O LORD of hosts, who judges righteously, who tests the heart and the mind, let me see your vengeance upon them, for to you have I committed my cause.

Jeremiah 11:20 nlt

O LORD of Heaven's Armies,
you make righteous judgments,
and you examine the deepest thoughts and secrets.
Let me see your vengeance against them,
for I have committed my cause to you.

Jeremiah 11 verses

Jeremiah 11 20 Meaning

Jeremiah 11:20 is a profound cry from the prophet Jeremiah to God, expressing his trust in divine justice amidst persecution. It presents God as the omniscient and righteous judge who sees beyond external actions into the innermost intentions and motivations of both Jeremiah and his adversaries. Jeremiah appeals to God's nature as the "LORD of hosts" and the one who "judgest righteously" and "triest the reins and the heart." Based on this divine insight and authority, Jeremiah petitions God to execute justice, which he calls "vengeance," against those who are plotting against him. His plea is grounded in his faith that he has transparently presented his entire "cause" or grievance to God, trusting God to fully comprehend and justly resolve his predicament.

Jeremiah 11 20 Context

Jeremiah 11 is centrally concerned with the covenant that God made with Israel, primarily at Mount Sinai (Jer 11:1-8). God, through Jeremiah, reminds the people of their ancestral oath and the blessings contingent on obedience, along with the curses for disobedience. However, the chapter quickly shifts to expose Judah's deep-seated disobedience and unfaithfulness, comparing them to an olive tree, once fair, now subject to God's judgment (Jer 11:9-17). The immediate context leading to verse 20 is Jeremiah's shocking discovery of a conspiracy against his life by the men of Anathoth, his own hometown (Jer 11:18-19). They planned to silence him ("destroy the tree with the fruit thereof," implying Jeremiah's very existence and message), seemingly because his prophetic warnings and God's covenant message were unwelcome. In this precarious situation, Jeremiah does not seek personal revenge or take matters into his own hands. Instead, he turns to God in an anguished prayer, entrusting his cause to the Almighty Judge and requesting divine intervention. This particular prayer echoes Jeremiah's similar expressions in Jeremiah 12 and 20, demonstrating his repeated reliance on God in times of intense suffering and opposition.

Jeremiah 11 20 Word analysis

• But (וְ / we) - This conjunction acts as a strong contrast, shifting the focus from the dire plot against Jeremiah to his immediate, urgent appeal to God. It highlights a pivot from human wickedness to divine intervention.
• O LORD of hosts (יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת / Yahweh Tzeva'ot) - This is a powerful and significant divine title, emphasizing God's sovereignty over all heavenly and earthly powers, armies, and celestial bodies. Jeremiah invokes God in His mightiest capacity as the commander of all creation, signaling the gravity of his appeal for divine judgment. This is a call to God as the ultimate, unconquerable authority.
• that judgest righteously (שֹׁפֵט צֶדֶק / shofet tzedeq) - This phrase attributes perfect moral rectitude and impartiality to God in His judicial role. It implies God's standard of justice is pure and without flaw, incapable of error or favoritism, providing the prophet confidence that his just cause will be heard.
• that triest (בֹחֵן / boḥen) - From the root בָּחַן (baḥan), meaning "to examine," "to test," "to prove." It signifies a thorough and deep investigation, akin to assaying metals to prove their purity. This is not a superficial glance but an intimate and complete understanding.
• the reins (כְּלָיוֹת / kelayot) - Literally, "kidneys." In ancient Hebrew thought, the kidneys were believed to be the seat of deepest emotions, passions, conscience, and inner intentions. Unlike the "heart" which can refer to intellect and will, "reins" often denotes the most secret and hidden aspects of a person's inner being, sometimes linked with the conscience or even subconscious motivations.
• and the heart (וְלֵב / wəlēḇ) - Referring to the lēḇ, which in biblical understanding is much broader than the English "heart." It encompasses the mind, intellect, will, emotions, and moral character—the entire inner person. God knows not just Jeremiah's outward actions but his deepest thoughts, integrity, and the genuine intentions of his adversaries.
• let me see thy vengeance (אֶרְאֶה נִקְמָתְךָ / er'eh niqmatekha) - Jeremiah's request for God's action. "Vengeance" (נִקְמָה / niqmah) in this context is not a plea for personal, malicious revenge but for God's just, divine retribution, specifically executed by God. It implies vindication for the oppressed and righteous judgment against those who wrongfully conspire. The prophet asks to see it, implying a public display of God's justice.
• on them (בָּהֶם / bahem) - Refers directly to the men of Anathoth and others plotting against Jeremiah, specifically identifying the targets of the requested divine justice.
• for unto thee have I revealed my cause (כִּי אֵלֶיךָ גִּלִּיתִי רִיבִי / ki eilekha gilliti rivi) - "For" (ki) introduces the reason or justification for Jeremiah's plea. "Revealed" (gilliti) implies laying bare, uncovering, making fully known. "My cause" (rivi) denotes his dispute, his legal case, his grievance. Jeremiah states that he has not held back any information; he has presented his entire case and suffering directly to God, confident that God, as the righteous judge, will weigh it properly.

Jeremiah 11 20 Bonus section

This verse offers a glimpse into the biblical understanding of "vengeance" in contrast to human retaliation. When Jeremiah asks God for "vengeance," it refers to divine judgment and justice, not personal vindictiveness. Throughout Scripture, God claims vengeance as His sole prerogative (Deut 32:35, Rom 12:19), because only God can judge perfectly, impartially, and with full knowledge of every heart. This is a foundational theological concept that prevents individuals from taking justice into their own hands and ensures that true justice, though sometimes delayed from a human perspective, will ultimately prevail. Jeremiah's prayer becomes a model for those who suffer injustice: to fully disclose their pain and grievances to God, entrusting the outcome to His righteous character and perfect timing. The prophet models surrendering the urge for personal retribution and embracing dependence on divine adjudication.

Jeremiah 11 20 Commentary

Jeremiah 11:20 is a powerful testament to a prophet's absolute reliance on God when faced with treachery and death threats. Jeremiah, encountering severe opposition from his own townsmen for faithfully delivering God's message, responds not with self-defense or human retribution but with a fervent prayer. He appeals to God's inherent attributes: His absolute power as "LORD of hosts" and His perfect, impartial justice as one who "judgest righteously." Critically, Jeremiah emphasizes God's omniscient knowledge, recognizing that God alone "triest the reins and the heart"—understanding the deepest, most secret intentions and motivations of all people. This unique divine insight assures Jeremiah that his innocence and his persecutors' malice are fully known to God.

Therefore, Jeremiah's request to "see thy vengeance on them" is not an outburst of personal anger demanding revenge but a plea for God to act as the supreme, just Judge. It is a surrender of his grievance into divine hands, a prayer for vindication through God's righteous judgment against those who wrongfully seek his life because he served God. By saying "unto thee have I revealed my cause," Jeremiah reaffirms his transparent trust and confession of his whole plight to God, awaiting divine resolution. This verse embodies faith in God's ultimate sovereignty and justice even amidst dire personal circumstances, reminding believers to cast their burdens and trust God to execute perfect justice in His own time and way.