Jeremiah 11 23

Jeremiah 11:23 kjv

And there shall be no remnant of them: for I will bring evil upon the men of Anathoth, even the year of their visitation.

Jeremiah 11:23 nkjv

and there shall be no remnant of them, for I will bring catastrophe on the men of Anathoth, even the year of their punishment.' "

Jeremiah 11:23 niv

Not even a remnant will be left to them, because I will bring disaster on the people of Anathoth in the year of their punishment."

Jeremiah 11:23 esv

and none of them shall be left. For I will bring disaster upon the men of Anathoth, the year of their punishment."

Jeremiah 11:23 nlt

Not one of these plotters from Anathoth will survive, for I will bring disaster upon them when their time of punishment comes."

Jeremiah 11 verses

Jeremiah 11 23 Meaning

Jeremiah 11:23 declares a divine sentence of complete annihilation upon the men of Anathoth who conspired against the prophet Jeremiah. It asserts that none of them will survive this judgment, emphasizing the finality of their destruction. This calamity, described as "evil" (referring to disaster or misfortune, not moral evil), will be actively brought about by God. The judgment is precisely timed for "the year of their visitation," which signifies a divinely appointed moment of reckoning when God inspects their deeds and metes out deserved punishment.

Jeremiah 11 23 Context

Jeremiah 11:23 concludes a section in which God reveals a personal plot against Jeremiah by his own townsmen from Anathoth (vv. 18-22). The broader context of Jeremiah chapter 11 details Judah's broken covenant with God, recalling the curses of Deuteronomy that accompany disobedience. Jeremiah is tasked with proclaiming this covenant, but faces strong resistance. Unbeknownst to him, his kinsmen in Anathoth devise a scheme to kill him, demanding he "prophesy not in the name of the LORD, that thou die not by our hand" (v. 21). This verse is God's direct and forceful response to Jeremiah's prayer for vengeance (v. 20) against those who sought to silence His prophetic word and harm His messenger. Anathoth, a priestly city near Jerusalem, should have upheld the covenant, yet their hostility towards God's prophet highlighted their deep spiritual apostasy and hypocrisy. Their actions were a direct challenge to God's authority.

Jeremiah 11 23 Word analysis

• And there shall be no remnant of them:

  • remnant (שְׁאֵרִית, she'erit): Typically refers to a surviving portion, often with a theological hope of restoration. Here, its negation ("no remnant") signifies utter and complete destruction, leaving no survivors, heirs, or continuing presence for the men specifically involved in the plot. It highlights the absolute finality and severity of God's judgment against this particular group.

• for I will bring evil upon:

  • evil (רָעָה, ra'ah): In this context, it refers to calamity, disaster, or punishment, rather than moral wickedness. It is the direct consequence of the Anathoth men's actions, ordained by God. This underscores God's active role as judge, sovereign over all events and the bringer of both blessing and consequence.
  • bring (מֵבִיא, mevi): Emphasizes the intentional, active, and purposeful nature of God's judgment. He is not merely allowing it but directly causing it.

• the men of Anathoth:

  • Anathoth (עֲנָתוֹת, Anatot): Jeremiah's hometown, a Levitical city designated for priests. This specific targeting highlights the severe betrayal by those closest to Jeremiah and underscores the extent of their covenant infidelity, making their sin all the more egregious.

• even the year of their visitation:

  • year (שְׁנָה, shanah): Indicates a specific, predetermined period, emphasizing God's perfect timing and purposeful judgment rather than random occurrence.
  • visitation (פְּקֻדָּתָם, p'quddatahm): Derived from paqad, which can mean to visit, inspect, or muster. In the context of judgment, it signifies a divine accounting, a time of reckoning when God assesses deeds and dispenses just consequences. It is their appointed day of judgment, where their actions against Jeremiah will be decisively punished.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "And there shall be no remnant of them": This phrase pronounces an irreversible and absolute judgment. It conveys that the lineage and existence of those plotting against Jeremiah will be entirely extinguished, leaving no descendants or survivors to continue their name or presence. This represents a complete break from the hopeful "remnant theology" found elsewhere in Jeremiah concerning Israel's future.
  • "for I will bring evil upon the men of Anathoth": This part explicitly states God's direct agency in bringing about this severe judgment. The calamity is not accidental or from a natural disaster, but a deliberate act of divine retribution. It underscores God's omnipotence and righteous indignation, specifying the targeted group: the inhabitants of Jeremiah's priestly hometown who dared to silence His prophet.
  • "even the year of their visitation": This segment highlights God's sovereign timing and the nature of His justice. It reveals that the judgment is not arbitrary but delivered at a precisely appointed time—a time of divine accounting and inspection where their wicked deeds are visited upon them. This reinforces God's justice, ensuring that sin will not go unpunished indefinitely, and all actions will face a day of reckoning.

Jeremiah 11 23 Bonus section

• The fact that the plot against Jeremiah came from his own family and hometown (a Levitical city) intensified the betrayal and the severity of the subsequent divine judgment. It reflected a deep spiritual decay within Judah, where even the supposed guardians of the Law turned against God's prophet.
• This specific judgment serves not only as a punishment but also as divine vindication for Jeremiah. Amidst profound personal distress and feelings of isolation, God directly intervenes, reveals the treachery, and promises justice, thus reaffirming His presence and support for His suffering prophet.
• The concept of "the year of their visitation" is a significant biblical theme. While often referring to judgment (as here and in Luke 19:44 for Jerusalem), it can also signify a time of God's favor or mercy (e.g., in a metaphorical sense for salvation), showing God's sovereign initiative in various aspects of human history and destiny. Here, it is decidedly a time of punitive inspection.

Jeremiah 11 23 Commentary

Jeremiah 11:23 stands as a solemn declaration of God's unwavering justice against those who would silence His truth and persecute His messengers. The promise of "no remnant" signifies a complete and absolute eradication of the men from Anathoth who conspired against Jeremiah, denoting a judgment without reprieve or future posterity. God Himself takes an active role, bringing "evil" – meaning calamity and just retribution – upon them. This retribution is not random but meticulously timed for "the year of their visitation," a specific moment of divine reckoning. This highlights God's omniscience, seeing even secret plots, and His omnipotence, ensuring that justice is unfailingly administered. The localized judgment upon Anathoth underscores the principle that rejection of God's Word, especially by His covenant people and the very community of His prophet, carries profound and devastating consequences. It served as a stark lesson for all who dared to oppose God's voice through His chosen instruments.