Jeremiah 12 2

Jeremiah 12:2 kjv

Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins.

Jeremiah 12:2 nkjv

You have planted them, yes, they have taken root; They grow, yes, they bear fruit. You are near in their mouth But far from their mind.

Jeremiah 12:2 niv

You have planted them, and they have taken root; they grow and bear fruit. You are always on their lips but far from their hearts.

Jeremiah 12:2 esv

You plant them, and they take root; they grow and produce fruit; you are near in their mouth and far from their heart.

Jeremiah 12:2 nlt

You have planted them,
and they have taken root and prospered.
Your name is on their lips,
but you are far from their hearts.

Jeremiah 12 verses

Jeremiah 12 2 Meaning

Jeremiah 12:2 vividly portrays the deceptive appearance of prosperity enjoyed by the wicked, even while God is the ultimate enabler of their success. Though they are "planted" and "take root," thriving externally, their worship and profession of faith are purely superficial. God is "on their lips" in outward acknowledgement or religious speech, but "far from their hearts" (lit. kidneys), revealing a deep internal estrangement and insincerity from their innermost being. This verse highlights the profound disconnect between outward religious practice and genuine devotion, underscoring God's patience but also setting the stage for the revelation of true character and ultimate judgment.

Jeremiah 12 2 Context

Jeremiah 12:2 is spoken amidst the prophet's profound distress and "theodicy" in Jeremiah 12:1-4. Jeremiah confronts God with the timeless question: "Why do the wicked prosper?" He observes their material success and stable lives ("planted," "take root," "grow," "bear fruit") despite their unrighteous conduct. This verse immediately follows his initial complaint, providing the reason for his concern—that these seemingly prosperous wicked individuals exhibit outward piety that masks an inward rejection of God. The surrounding chapters detail Judah's deepening apostasy and the impending judgment, with the people repeatedly displaying outward religious observance alongside profound corruption, hypocrisy, and idolatry. The cultural background of agrarian life in ancient Israel made the planting metaphors immediately relatable, emphasizing their physical thriving while juxtaposing it with their spiritual barrenness.

Jeremiah 12 2 Word analysis

• You have planted them (פְּעַלְתָּם֙, p̄ə‘al·tām): Signifies God's active, direct hand in establishing these individuals. It implies divine sovereignty over all existence and even the initial enabling of the wicked's flourishing. It also suggests that their initial position was one of opportunity from God, like a farmer carefully cultivating his field.
• and they have taken root (גַּם־שָׁרְשׁוּ֙, gam-šā·rə·šū): This implies stability, permanence, and establishment. Their success isn't fleeting; it appears enduring, adding to Jeremiah's confusion. In Hebrew culture, being rooted meant being firmly settled and secure, often associated with a strong heritage or land.
• they grow (יֵלְכוּ֙, yêl·ḵū): Literally "they go" or "they walk," but contextually means "they grow" or "they advance." It indicates progression, development, and an ongoing upward trajectory in their affairs.
• and bear fruit (גַּם־יַעֲשׂוּ֙ פְרִ֖י, gam-ya·‘ă·śū p̄ə·rî): Denotes productivity and tangible success. From a worldly perspective, they are successful and achieving their goals, appearing blessed and fruitful in their endeavors. The fruit might represent wealth, status, or offspring, but notably not spiritual fruit.
• You are always on their lips (קָר֣וֹב אַתָּה֙ בְּפִיהֶ֔ם, qā·rōwḇ ’at·tāh bə·p̄î·hem): Refers to outward verbal acknowledgement of God, ritualistic pronouncements, oaths, or participation in religious ceremonies. It describes a superficial profession of faith, a spoken adherence that lacks depth. This reflects hypocritical religiosity prevalent in Judah.
• but far from their hearts (וְרָח֥וֹק מִכִּלְיוֹתֵיהֶ֖ם, wə·rā·ḥōwq mik·kil·yō·w·ṯê·hem): This is a profound statement. "Kidneys" (כִּלְיָה, kil·yāh) in ancient Hebrew thought represented the innermost being, the seat of emotions, intentions, thoughts, and conscience – akin to the modern "heart." To be "far from their kidneys" means there is no genuine affection, loyalty, or commitment to God in their deepest, most private self. Their profession is a lie, a performance.

• "You have planted them... and bear fruit": This phrase encapsulates the visible, physical prosperity and success of the wicked, enabled by God's sustaining common grace. It sets the stage for Jeremiah's question about divine justice, as their external thriving seems contradictory to their internal depravity.
• "You are always on their lips but far from their hearts": This contrasting parallelism highlights the essence of hypocrisy. It distinguishes between outward religious show (lip-service) and true inward spiritual condition (heart-service), exposing the deep spiritual pathology of those who acknowledge God superficially but rebel against Him in their core being. It implies a complete lack of genuine relationship, love, or obedience to God.

Jeremiah 12 2 Bonus section

The concept of God "searching the kidneys and heart" is a recurring theological theme in Jeremiah (e.g., Jer 11:20; 17:10; 20:12). This reinforces the depth of the diagnostic statement in 12:2, indicating that it is not merely a prophet's observation but a divine assessment of the human soul. The "fruit" they bear is material, worldly success, not the spiritual fruit of righteousness (Gal 5:22-23), clearly demonstrating a corrupted vine from God's perspective despite outward appearance. Jeremiah's challenge here is not that God is unfair, but that His ways are often mysterious, and His timeline for justice is longer than human patience. It is an invitation to trust God's ultimate justice, even when immediate circumstances seem to contradict it, knowing that all external shows of piety without internal truth are an abomination to Him.

Jeremiah 12 2 Commentary

Jeremiah 12:2 lays bare the perplexing reality that God, in His sovereignty, permits the wicked to experience tangible success and stability in life, even while they harbor profound spiritual apostasy. The agricultural metaphors emphasize a thriving outward existence – they are rooted, growing, and productive. Yet, this material flourishing is critically juxtaposed with a spiritual hollowness: they may speak of God, performing religious duties or making pious claims, but their deepest affections, intentions, and allegiances are utterly estranged from Him. This verse speaks to the persistent problem of outward appearances versus inner reality, where genuine faith is not merely verbal affirmation but an heartfelt devotion that shapes one's core being. It underscores God's long-suffering, granting common grace even to those who abuse it, but also implicitly warns of the severe judgment awaiting such profound hypocrisy, which God, who searches the hearts and kidneys, truly discerns.