Jeremiah 11:16
The LORD called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken.
Original Language Analysis
זַ֤יִת
olive tree
H2132
זַ֤יִת
olive tree
Strong's:
H2132
Word #:
1 of 16
an olive (as yielding illuminating oil), the tree, the branch or the berry
רַֽעֲנָן֙
A green
H7488
רַֽעֲנָן֙
A green
Strong's:
H7488
Word #:
2 of 16
verdant; by analogy, new; figuratively, prosperous
קָרָ֥א
called
H7121
קָרָ֥א
called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
6 of 16
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
יְהוָ֖ה
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
שְׁמֵ֑ךְ
thy name
H8034
שְׁמֵ֑ךְ
thy name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
8 of 16
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
גְדֹלָ֗ה
of a great
H1419
גְדֹלָ֗ה
of a great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
11 of 16
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
הִצִּ֥ית
he hath kindled
H3341
הִצִּ֥ית
he hath kindled
Strong's:
H3341
Word #:
12 of 16
to burn or set on fire; figuratively, to desolate
עָלֶ֔יהָ
H5921
עָלֶ֔יהָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
14 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Isaiah 27:11When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, and set them on fire: for it is a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour.Psalms 52:8But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.Psalms 80:16It is burned with fire, it is cut down: they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance.
Historical Context
Olive cultivation was central to Israelite economy. The trees lived centuries, represented stability, prosperity, and blessing. The metaphor of Israel as olive tree appears in Hosea 14:6 and underlies Paul's discussion in Romans 11. Archaeological evidence shows olive oil production facilities throughout ancient Israel. Fire destroying olive orchards represented complete agricultural devastation—losing not just one season's crop but centuries-old trees.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the olive tree metaphor capture both Israel's intended beauty and its judgment through fire?
- What does the transition from flourishing tree to fuel for fire suggest about squandered privilege?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse uses olive tree imagery: 'The LORD called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit.' The Hebrew zayith ra'anan (זַיִת רַעֲנָן, luxuriant olive tree) describes Israel's intended beauty and fruitfulness. Olive trees were valuable—producing oil for food, light, anointing, medicine. 'Fair' (yepheh) and 'goodly fruit' (peri to'ar) indicate God's delight in His creation. 'With the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken.' The imagery shifts dramatically: fire consuming the tree, branches broken. The 'great tumult' (hamullah gedolah) may be enemy invasion or divine judgment's roar. What was beautiful becomes fuel; what bore fruit becomes destruction.