Jeremiah 20 12

Jeremiah 20:12 kjv

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

Jeremiah 20:12 nkjv

But, O LORD of hosts, You who test the righteous, And see the mind and heart, Let me see Your vengeance on them; For I have pleaded my cause before You.

Jeremiah 20:12 niv

LORD Almighty, you who examine the righteous and probe the heart and mind, let me see your vengeance on them, for to you I have committed my cause.

Jeremiah 20:12 esv

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

Jeremiah 20:12 nlt

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

Jeremiah 20 verses

Jeremiah 20 12 Meaning

Jeremiah 20:12 is a powerful prayer and lament from the prophet to God. In this verse, Jeremiah appeals directly to God Almighty, acknowledging His ultimate authority ("LORD of hosts") and His perfect knowledge. He declares that God, who thoroughly tests those who are righteous and intimately discerns the innermost thoughts and intentions of every person, is the ultimate judge. Based on this understanding of God's perfect justice and discernment, Jeremiah pleads for divine retribution against his persecutors, asserting that he has fully presented his case and cause before God for vindication. It reflects a cry for justice and the assurance that God truly sees and knows the heart of suffering righteous individuals.

Jeremiah 20 12 Context

Jeremiah 20:12 is situated within a significant portion of the book known as Jeremiah's "Confessions" (chapters 11-20), where the prophet openly expresses his anguish, doubt, and frustration to God. Specifically, chapter 20 directly follows his brutal public flogging and imprisonment by Pashhur, a chief priest and temple official, for prophesying Babylon's conquest of Jerusalem. Jeremiah feels deceived by God, compelled to speak a word that brings him only ridicule and suffering. Yet, even in his deep personal torment and feelings of abandonment, Jeremiah turns to the only one who can truly judge his heart and vindicate him – the LORD. This prayer for vengeance is not driven by human spite but a desperate plea for divine justice in a world that seems devoid of it for the righteous. Historically, Judah was in a state of moral decay, facing impending Babylonian invasion, and Jeremiah’s message was largely rejected, leading to intense persecution.

Jeremiah 20 12 Word analysis

• But, O LORD of hosts (וַיהוָה צְבָאוֹת - waYahweh Tsebaoth): This opening emphasizes Jeremiah's appeal to God's ultimate authority and omnipotence. "LORD of hosts" signifies God's sovereign control over all heavenly and earthly armies and powers, asserting His absolute might and ability to execute justice. It underlines the divine majesty before whom Jeremiah presents his plea.
• who triest (בֹּחֵן - boḥēn): The verb signifies a process of examination or testing, often with the purpose of purifying or proving quality. God tests metals (Prov 17:3), revealing genuine purity. Here, it implies God's thorough evaluation of a person's character, intentions, and faith, ensuring that righteousness is true and steadfast.
• the righteous (צַדִּיק - tsaddiq): Refers to one who is just, upright, and innocent. Jeremiah here places himself among those whom God scrutinizes but ultimately finds true, in contrast to his persecutors who falsely accuse and harm him. It’s an assertion of his blamelessness before God in his prophetic calling.
• and seest (חֹקֵר - ḥoqēr): While some versions translate "seest," the Hebrew term ḥoqēr specifically means "to search out, probe, examine closely." This goes beyond mere sight to profound discernment, an active investigation of the deepest parts. It implies that nothing is hidden from God's penetrating gaze.
• the heart and the mind (כְלָיוֹת וָלֵב - kəlayôṯ wālēḇ): This Hebrew idiom refers to the deepest recesses of one's being. Lēḇ (heart) traditionally encompasses the will, intellect, emotions, and moral consciousness. Kəlayôṯ (kidneys) were considered the seat of deep emotion and conscience in ancient Israelite physiology, representing inner feelings, motives, and intentions. Together, they signify God's complete and intimate knowledge of a person's inner life, motivations, and hidden thoughts.
• let me see thy vengeance on them (אֶרְאֶה נִקְמָתְךָ - 'er'eh niqmātəḵā): Jeremiah is not seeking personal, sinful revenge. He yearns for God's justice (niqmāh - divine retribution, vindication). This is an appeal for God to demonstrate His righteous judgment against those who have wronged His prophet, establishing divine order and protecting His servant. It's a desire for the manifestation of God's attribute as the avenger of injustice.
• for unto thee have I opened my cause (כִּי אֵלֶיךָ גִּלִּיתִי רִיבִי - kî 'ēleḵā gillîtî rîḇî): Jeremiah asserts that he has fully disclosed his "dispute" or "case" (rîḇî) to God. He has laid out his grievance, his suffering, and his persecutors' actions before the divine judge. This signifies a complete trust and surrender, entrusting his vindication entirely to God, acknowledging God as his ultimate advocate and arbiter.

Word-group analysis

• "O LORD of hosts, who triest the righteous and seest the heart and the mind": This powerful invocation establishes God's unique qualifications as a perfectly just and omniscient judge. Jeremiah builds his petition upon the undeniable character of God as the one who controls all, rigorously examines genuine righteousness, and profoundly understands the most hidden motives and emotions of individuals. This ensures that any judgment from God is entirely fair and based on complete knowledge, setting it apart from human, fallible judgment.
• "let me see thy vengeance on them; for unto thee have I opened my cause": This phrase directly links Jeremiah's plea for divine justice with his act of absolute trust and submission to God. He is asking for a demonstration of God's justice because he has completely abandoned his case into God's hands, believing that God alone can truly address the deep injustice he faces. It underscores the concept of righteous people leaving retribution to God rather than taking it into their own hands, seeking God’s intervention as the supreme authority and vindicator.

Jeremiah 20 12 Bonus section

• Lament and Prophetic Honesty: This verse exemplifies the raw honesty found in biblical laments. Jeremiah does not sugarcoat his feelings or pretend spiritual composure; he brings his genuine pain and demand for justice directly to God. This model teaches believers that authentic prayer can include strong, even seemingly desperate, emotional expressions before God, who invites us to bring our whole selves to Him.
• The Paradox of Testing: God "tests the righteous" not to discover their character (which He already knows) but to refine, prove, and strengthen it (e.g., Job's experience). This testing often involves suffering, which leads to a deeper reliance on God, much like a refiner's fire removes impurities from metal.
• Distinction from Human Revenge: Jeremiah’s prayer for vengeance is not comparable to sinful human revenge. Human revenge stems from personal malice and is forbidden (Rom 12:19). Divine vengeance, or niqam, is a righteous act of justice, a restoration of moral order, and a demonstration of God's holiness against unrepentant wickedness.
• God's Sovereignty over Timing: While Jeremiah petitions to "see" this vengeance, God's justice operates on His timetable, often allowing suffering to persist for a season for purposes unseen by humans, before His perfect justice is enacted. Jeremiah's immediate desire reflects human impatience for divine action.

Jeremiah 20 12 Commentary

Jeremiah 20:12 provides a profound insight into the spiritual anguish and unwavering faith of a suffering prophet. Even amidst despair and a feeling of being lured into an unwanted prophetic ministry that brought only pain, Jeremiah confidently appeals to God's inherent attributes. He leans on the truth that God is the all-powerful "LORD of hosts," whose scrutiny transcends superficial appearance, "testing the righteous" for genuine faith and discerning the "heart and mind" – the deepest human intentions and motivations. Jeremiah's cry for "vengeance" is not a personal quest for retribution but a fervent plea for divine justice, recognizing God's sole right to exact it. By stating he has "opened my cause" to God, Jeremiah surrenders his grievance, placing full trust in God's ultimate righteous judgment and intervention. It showcases the prophet's steadfast belief that, even when human justice fails, God remains the ultimate arbiter, seeing all, knowing all, and promising to vindicate His suffering servants.