Jeremiah 15 11

Jeremiah 15:11 kjv

The LORD said, Verily it shall be well with thy remnant; verily I will cause the enemy to entreat thee well in the time of evil and in the time of affliction.

Jeremiah 15:11 nkjv

The LORD said: "Surely it will be well with your remnant; Surely I will cause the enemy to intercede with you In the time of adversity and in the time of affliction.

Jeremiah 15:11 niv

The LORD said, "Surely I will deliver you for a good purpose; surely I will make your enemies plead with you in times of disaster and times of distress.

Jeremiah 15:11 esv

The LORD said, "Have I not set you free for their good? Have I not pleaded for you before the enemy in the time of trouble and in the time of distress?

Jeremiah 15:11 nlt

The LORD replied, "I will take care of you, Jeremiah.
Your enemies will ask you to plead on their behalf
in times of trouble and distress.

Jeremiah 15 verses

Jeremiah 15 11 Meaning

Jeremiah 15:11 is a direct divine response to the prophet Jeremiah's despair and complaint (Jer 15:10). In essence, God provides a strong, affirmative promise of personal protection, deliverance, and ultimate well-being for Jeremiah despite the overwhelming trials and persecution he faces. It assures him that even in times of severe hardship and opposition, God will intervene to ensure his welfare, potentially by giving him favor or a position of strength over his adversaries, or by causing others (including enemies) to intercede on his behalf for good. The verse reaffirms God's commitment to His servant, promising that the suffering of the faithful will ultimately turn to their good through divine care.

Jeremiah 15 11 Context

Jeremiah 15 opens with God reiterating His unwavering judgment against Judah, stating He will not relent, even at the intercession of Moses or Samuel (Jer 15:1-4). This judgment is so severe that it is presented as having four destroyers: sword, dogs, birds, and wild beasts (Jer 15:3). Jeremiah's emotional response to this difficult prophetic ministry culminates in Jer 15:10, where he expresses profound personal lament, cursing the day of his birth, feeling like a man of strife, hated by all, yet he has neither borrowed nor lent, signifying his blameless conduct. He is consumed by isolation and rejection. It is immediately following this deeply personal and anguished complaint that God responds directly to Jeremiah in verse 11, not diminishing the severity of the national judgment but providing a crucial personal assurance and comfort to His prophet amidst his pain and the harsh realities of his calling. The verse serves as a pivot, shifting focus from national condemnation to individual divine care for the faithful prophet, promising personal welfare even when surrounded by the chaos of judgment.

Jeremiah 15 11 Word analysis

Word-by-word analysis

• The LORD said: Signifies divine authority and absolute certainty of the promise. This is a direct oracle from God to Jeremiah.
• Verily (אָכֵן - 'akhen): An emphatic adverb, meaning "surely," "indeed," or "truly." It underlines the firm and irrefutable nature of the subsequent declaration, often indicating a divine oath or an exceptionally weighty statement.
• it shall be well (לְטוֹב - l'ṭōv): Literally "for good." It implies flourishing, ultimate welfare, positive outcome, and prosperity in a holistic sense. This is not just physical comfort but encompasses all aspects of existence.
• with thy remnant (לִשְׁאֵרִיתֵךְ - lish'ērîṯēḵ / or, I will strengthen you / release you (שֵׁרִיתִיךָ - sherutîkha)): This phrase presents a significant interpretative divergence.
  • The traditional KJV reading "with thy remnant" implies prosperity for Jeremiah's surviving group or offspring, perhaps reflecting the general notion of a "faithful remnant" in prophetic literature.
  • However, many modern scholars and translations (based on Masoretic Text's consonant root sh-r-y and context, e.g., Jer 1:8, 15:20) understand the verb to be a Hiphil form of the root meaning "to strengthen," "to release," or "to serve" (thus "I have strengthened you," "I will release you," or "I will serve you for good"). This interpretation personalizes the promise directly to Jeremiah, assuring him of his individual strengthening and deliverance, aligning with other personal promises made to him. Given Jeremiah's explicit command to not have children (Jer 16:2), the latter interpretation fits better within the immediate prophetic narrative concerning Jeremiah himself.
• verily (אָכֵן - 'akhen): Repetition of the emphatic "surely" reinforces the promise, making it doubly certain.
• I will cause the enemy to entreat thee well (הִפְגַּעְתִּי בְךָ אֶת־הָאוֹיֵב לְטוֹב - hifgaʿtî b'khā 'et-hā'ôyēv l'ṭōv): This is another complex phrase:
  • The verb הִפְגַּעְתִּי (hifgaʿtî) is the Hiphil of פָּגַע (pagaʿ), meaning "to meet," "to strike," "to intercede," "to come upon," or "to appeal."
  • Traditional/KJV Interpretation: "Cause the enemy to entreat thee well" suggests God will supernaturally dispose Jeremiah's adversaries to treat him favorably, even kindly, in times of distress. This would be a remarkable intervention of divine power over human will.
  • Alternative Scholarly Interpretation: Many modern translations interpret pagaʿ in Hiphil as "to cause to fall upon," "to cause to meet," "to intercede for," or "to encounter." Coupled with b'khā ("with you" / "for you"), the phrase can mean:
    • "I will cause the enemy to plead with you (Jeremiah)" – placing Jeremiah in a position of power or respect over his adversaries (e.g., ESV, NASB).
    • "I will intercede for you with the enemy (to grant you favor)" – God directly acting as mediator for Jeremiah.
    • "I will cause you to fall upon the enemy (for good)" – implying Jeremiah's victory or success over adversaries.
    • "I will grant you respite/deliverance from the enemy for your good."
  • The essence is God's direct, miraculous intervention to ensure Jeremiah's ultimate benefit and protection vis-à-vis his enemies, even giving him an unexpected advantage or respect.
• in the time of evil (בְּעֵת רָעָה - b'ʿēt rāʿāh): Refers to a period of calamity, disaster, or misfortune. It's not about moral evil, but events bringing distress.
• and in the time of affliction (וּבְעֵת צָרָה - ūv'ʿēt ṣārāh): Signifies deep distress, anguish, or narrow straits. These terms collectively highlight severe and pervasive hardship, emphasizing that God's promise of welfare holds precisely during the most difficult circumstances.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• The LORD said, Verily it shall be well: Establishes the divine origin and unshakeable certainty of the promise. It underscores that God Himself takes responsibility for Jeremiah's well-being.
• with thy remnant / I have strengthened/released you for good: Highlights the personal nature of God's promise to Jeremiah. While the traditional "remnant" suggests a future collective, scholarly reinterpretation points strongly to God's direct, individual assurance to the prophet of His aid and deliverance "for good," reaffirming His calling and sustaining power. This is God's commitment to ensure Jeremiah's spiritual and personal thriving, despite external hardships.
• verily I will cause the enemy to entreat thee well: This is a miraculous pledge of divine protection and favorable positioning. It's God's powerful assurance that He will either transform the stance of adversaries towards Jeremiah, elevate Jeremiah's status relative to them, or ensure that any interaction with foes results in Jeremiah's ultimate good, even granting him influence or respect from his tormentors. It signifies God's direct manipulation of events for His servant's welfare.
• in the time of evil and in the time of affliction: Pinpoints the specific context where this divine protection manifests. It's not a promise of immunity from suffering, but an assurance of profound help within suffering. God's favor is most evident not in the absence of trouble, but in sustained well-being through it, confirming that trials do not negate His ultimate good plan.

Jeremiah 15 11 Bonus section

• The dual 'akhen ('verily') in this verse creates a strong literary framework of certainty, functioning like a double amen, emphasizing the unshakable truth and divine oath-like quality of God's promise to Jeremiah. This double affirmation highlights the importance of the divine message as a comfort to the suffering prophet.
• Some rabbinic interpretations connect Jeremiah's protection with his unique calling, seeing his suffering as intrinsically linked to his role in Israel's history. They suggest that the verse highlights God's protective shield around His chosen one, demonstrating that no human opposition can truly thwart divine purpose or harm the vessel through which that purpose is communicated.
• The phrase "time of evil and time of affliction" covers the breadth of human suffering, both external disasters (evil/calamity) and internal distress (affliction). This holistic depiction underscores that God's promise extends to all facets of Jeremiah's hardship, ensuring no dimension of his trial goes unaddressed by divine care. This assurance is a testament to God's comprehensive oversight of His servants' lives.

Jeremiah 15 11 Commentary

Jeremiah 15:11 offers a profound and much-needed personal anchor for Jeremiah amid a life defined by national crisis, divine judgment, and bitter personal opposition. God directly addresses Jeremiah's anguished lament (Jer 15:10) with two emphatic "Verily" statements, assuring him of His steadfast care. The verse promises that Jeremiah himself will ultimately fare "for good," even hinting at a strengthening or release by divine power. The more remarkable pledge is that God will specifically intervene concerning his enemies. This isn't just about passive protection; it speaks of an active, transformative divine work where Jeremiah might gain favor from adversaries, or perhaps even be sought out by them for help or intercession in their own distress.

This divine promise acknowledges Jeremiah's trials but immediately overlays them with a powerful certainty of God's sovereign care. It is not an exemption from suffering but an assurance of divine intervention that turns adversity into ultimate benefit. For the prophet, isolated and hated, this served as a divine lifeline, confirming his special status as God's chosen messenger and promising that the divine mission, however painful, would lead to his ultimate welfare. This verse beautifully illustrates how God, even amidst severe national judgment, singles out and protects His faithful servants, ensuring their personal good and affirming His commitment to them when they are most vulnerable.