Jeremiah 11:12
Then shall the cities of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem go, and cry unto the gods unto whom they offer incense: but they shall not save them at all in the time of their trouble.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָֽלְכ֞וּ
go
H1980
וְהָֽלְכ֞וּ
go
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
1 of 18
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
עָרֵ֣י
Then shall the cities
H5892
עָרֵ֣י
Then shall the cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
2 of 18
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
יְהוּדָ֗ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֗ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
3 of 18
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
וְיֹשְׁבֵי֙
and inhabitants
H3427
וְיֹשְׁבֵי֙
and inhabitants
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
4 of 18
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם
of Jerusalem
H3389
יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם
of Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
5 of 18
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
וְזָֽעֲקוּ֙
and cry
H2199
וְזָֽעֲקוּ֙
and cry
Strong's:
H2199
Word #:
6 of 18
to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly
הָ֣אֱלֹהִ֔ים
unto the gods
H430
הָ֣אֱלֹהִ֔ים
unto the gods
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
8 of 18
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אֲשֶׁ֛ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֛ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
9 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
מְקַטְּרִ֖ים
unto whom they offer incense
H6999
מְקַטְּרִ֖ים
unto whom they offer incense
Strong's:
H6999
Word #:
11 of 18
to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)
יוֹשִׁ֥יעוּ
but they shall not save
H3467
יוֹשִׁ֥יעוּ
but they shall not save
Strong's:
H3467
Word #:
13 of 18
properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
14 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יוֹשִׁ֥יעוּ
but they shall not save
H3467
יוֹשִׁ֥יעוּ
but they shall not save
Strong's:
H3467
Word #:
15 of 18
properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor
Historical Context
The exposure of idol impotence during crisis was a consistent prophetic theme (Isaiah 46:1-7, Jeremiah 2:27-28). Archaeological evidence from destroyed Canaanite cities shows temples burned with their idols—the gods could not protect even their own shrines. The Babylonian conquest would prove the point: Marduk's victory seemed to prove his power, but Jeremiah 50-51 promises Babylon's gods will similarly fall.
Questions for Reflection
- Why do people often cling to false sources of security until crisis exposes their emptiness?
- What does the idols' failure 'in time of trouble' reveal about testing what we truly trust?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse exposes false worship's futility: 'Then shall the cities of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem go, and cry unto the gods unto whom they offer incense.' When judgment comes, the people will desperately appeal to their idols. 'But they shall not save them at all in the time of their trouble.' The Hebrew yashea (יָשַׁע) is the verb for deliverance, salvation—precisely what idols cannot provide. 'At all' (hashea) intensifies the negative—no help whatsoever. 'In the time of their trouble' (be'eth ra'atham) is when gods prove their reality or exposure as fraud. YHWH repeatedly delivered Israel 'in trouble'; idols will fail absolutely.