Jeremiah 12 15

Jeremiah 12:15 kjv

And it shall come to pass, after that I have plucked them out I will return, and have compassion on them, and will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land.

Jeremiah 12:15 nkjv

Then it shall be, after I have plucked them out, that I will return and have compassion on them and bring them back, everyone to his heritage and everyone to his land.

Jeremiah 12:15 niv

But after I uproot them, I will again have compassion and will bring each of them back to their own inheritance and their own country.

Jeremiah 12:15 esv

And after I have plucked them up, I will again have compassion on them, and I will bring them again each to his heritage and each to his land.

Jeremiah 12:15 nlt

But afterward I will return and have compassion on all of them. I will bring them home to their own lands again, each nation to its own possession.

Jeremiah 12 verses

Jeremiah 12 15 Meaning

Jeremiah 12:15 speaks of God's sovereign authority and compassionate nature even towards the nations hostile to Israel, referred to in the preceding verse as "evil neighbors." It states that after God has carried out His judgment of "uprooting" or removing these nations from their place of power and stability, He will then "return" to them with mercy and compassion. Subsequently, He will bring about their restoration, allowing each individual to return to their rightful "heritage" and "land." This verse highlights a divine pattern of judgment followed by an offer of redemption and restoration, extending beyond just Israel to encompass other peoples, albeit under specific divine terms.

Jeremiah 12 15 Context

Jeremiah 12 follows Jeremiah's lament (vv. 1-4) questioning God's justice, particularly why the wicked prosper. God responds in vv. 5-6, indicating that greater troubles are coming, even from Jeremiah's own family. Then, God Himself laments over the destruction coming upon Judah and His "heritage" (vv. 7-13) at the hands of negligent "shepherds" and external foes. Verse 14 introduces the "evil neighbors" – Gentile nations surrounding Israel who have plundered or oppressed God's people. God promises to "uproot" them (the neighbors) from their land. Immediately after this declaration of judgment on the "neighbors," verse 15 presents a surprising pivot: a promise of mercy and restoration for these very same nations, but after they experience divine discipline. This establishes a universal principle of God's governance, demonstrating His power not only to judge but also to restore, extending His covenantal principles beyond just Israel, specifically conditional upon learning "the ways of my people" (v. 16).

Jeremiah 12 15 Word analysis

• And it shall come to pass (וְהָיָה - vehayah): This Hebrew idiom signifies a divine declaration, asserting the certainty and future unfolding of the described event according to God's decree. It highlights the immutability of God's word.

• after that (אַחֲרֵי - acharei): This adverb emphasizes the sequential nature of God's actions. The uprooting (judgment) must precede the turning (mercy and restoration). It establishes a divine timeline and prerequisite.

• I have uprooted them (הִתָּלְשִׁי אוֹתָם - hittalshi otam):

  • הִתָּלְשִׁי (hittalshi): From the root תָּלַשׁ (talash), meaning "to pluck," "to pull off," or "to root out violently." The Hiphil causative perfect form here implies that God actively causes their uprooting. The imagery is strong, depicting a violent and complete removal from their foundation. This judgment signifies a loss of stability, power, and identity rooted in their land.
  • אוֹתָם (otam): "Them," referring specifically to the "evil neighbors" mentioned in Jer 12:14 – the nations surrounding Israel who had harmed them. God is directly identifying His targets for judgment.

• I will return (אָשׁוּב - ashuv): From the root שׁוּב (shuv), meaning "to turn," "to turn back," "to return," or "to restore." Here, it speaks of God turning His attention and disposition back towards these nations. It implies a change from punitive judgment to favorable consideration. It does not mean God repents, but rather changes His dealings with them.

• and have compassion on them (וְרִחַמְתִּים - v'richamtim): From the root רָחַם (racham), denoting "to love deeply," "to have pity," "to have mercy," "to show compassion." This is a profound, often visceral compassion, likened to a mother's affection for her child. It emphasizes God's tenderheartedness and His attribute of undeserved favor, which He extends even to former enemies who submit.

• and bring them again (וַהֲשִׁבֹתִי - va·hashevoti): Again, from the root שׁוּב (shuv), but in the Hiphil causative form, "to cause to return," or "to restore." This signifies God's active role in their restoration. He is not merely allowing it; He is actively bringing it about. This is a restoration initiated and orchestrated by God.

• every man (אִישׁ - ish): This noun meaning "man" or "individual" highlights the personal nature of the restoration. It's not just a geopolitical shift but affects individuals, ensuring each person receives their portion.

• to his heritage (לְנַחֲלָתוֹ - l'nachalato):

  • נַחֲלָה (nachalah): Means "inheritance," "possession," "allotment," or "patrimony." It refers to the tribal or familial land granted as a permanent possession, especially significant in ancient Israel but applied here to the nations. It represents stability, identity, and rightful ownership, signifying a complete return to normalcy and a God-given place.

• and every man (וְאִישׁ - v'ish): The repetition emphasizes the individual nature of this promise, stressing its universal application within those nations who turn to Him.

• to his land (לְאַרְצוֹ - l'artzo):

  • אֶרֶץ (eretz): Means "land," "country," "earth." This complements "heritage" by stressing the physical return to their geographical homeland. Together with "heritage," it underscores a complete and physical re-establishment in their designated territory.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And it shall come to pass, after that I have uprooted them": This phrase declares the certainty of a severe divine judgment upon specific nations. It establishes judgment as a prerequisite or precursor to the subsequent display of God's grace, emphasizing God's complete sovereignty over nations.
• "I will return and have compassion on them": This reveals a profound aspect of God's character: His willingness to show mercy even after executing judgment. The "return" (שׁוּב) indicates a change in God's dealing, shifting from an act of judgment to an act of lovingkindness and pity (רָחַם), demonstrating His boundless grace to all who eventually turn to Him (Jer 12:16 implies this).
• "and bring them again every man to his heritage and every man to his land": This segment details the scope and nature of the restoration. It is not just abstract mercy but a concrete, individual restoration to stability, rightful ownership (heritage), and physical home (land). This ensures their re-establishment and implies the end of their exile or displacement caused by the prior divine "uprooting."

Jeremiah 12 15 Bonus section

This verse's promise of compassion and restoration for Gentile nations stands out in an era predominantly focused on Israel's covenant. It introduces a key theme developed throughout prophetic literature and fully realized in the New Testament: God's ultimate desire to bless all peoples. The concept of "nachalah" (heritage) and "eretz" (land) for these nations parallels the divine promise to Israel, suggesting that God values their inherent place and identity, not solely their subservience. This offers an early biblical precedent for the universal scope of God's redemptive work, showcasing His character as one who gives an opportunity for repentance and restoration even to former adversaries. The phrase "every man" highlights a granular, individual-level restoration, moving beyond general national restoration to touch the personal lives and livelihoods of those impacted.

Jeremiah 12 15 Commentary

Jeremiah 12:15 unfolds God's profound sovereignty and His comprehensive plan for humanity. Following the declaration of judgment on "evil neighbors," the verse reveals God's intrinsic compassion extends beyond His covenant people, Israel. The sequence of "uprooting" then "returning" with "compassion" underscores that divine judgment, while severe, is not necessarily final; it often serves a redemptive purpose. This verse offers a glimmer of hope for Gentile nations, indicating that even those who once afflicted Israel can experience divine mercy and restoration to their rightful place. The "heritage" and "land" signify not only physical return but also a restoration of order, identity, and security, indicating God's design for well-being extends universally. This serves as a testament to God's attribute as the just yet merciful judge of all the earth, inviting all peoples to recognize His power and goodness. The implied condition, further elaborated in the subsequent verses (Jer 12:16-17), is that this restoration is predicated on them learning and adopting God's ways, truly showing that the offer of grace is linked to a turning toward the Lord.