Jeremiah 11:17
For the LORD of hosts, that planted thee, hath pronounced evil against thee, for the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done against themselves to provoke me to anger in offering incense unto Baal.
Original Language Analysis
וַיהוָ֤ה
For the LORD
H3068
וַיהוָ֤ה
For the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
1 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָאוֹת֙
of hosts
H6635
צְבָאוֹת֙
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
2 of 19
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
הַנּוֹטֵ֣עַ
that planted
H5193
הַנּוֹטֵ֣עַ
that planted
Strong's:
H5193
Word #:
3 of 19
properly, to strike in, i.e., fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively)
אוֹתָ֔ךְ
H853
אוֹתָ֔ךְ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דִּבֶּ֥ר
thee hath pronounced
H1696
דִּבֶּ֥ר
thee hath pronounced
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
5 of 19
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
עָלַ֖יִךְ
H5921
עָלַ֖יִךְ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בִּ֠גְלַל
against thee for
H1558
בִּ֠גְלַל
against thee for
Strong's:
H1558
Word #:
8 of 19
a circumstance (as rolled around); only used adverbially, on account of
וּבֵ֣ית
and of the house
H1004
וּבֵ֣ית
and of the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
10 of 19
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
11 of 19
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וּבֵ֣ית
and of the house
H1004
וּבֵ֣ית
and of the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
12 of 19
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יְהוּדָ֗ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֗ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
13 of 19
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
14 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָשׂ֥וּ
which they have done
H6213
עָשׂ֥וּ
which they have done
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
15 of 19
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
לְהַכְעִסֵ֖נִי
against themselves to provoke me to anger
H3707
לְהַכְעִסֵ֖נִי
against themselves to provoke me to anger
Strong's:
H3707
Word #:
17 of 19
to trouble; by implication, to grieve, rage, be indignant
Cross References
Isaiah 5:2And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.Jeremiah 2:21Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?Jeremiah 12:2Thou 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 19:15Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon this city and upon all her towns all the evil that I have pronounced against it, because they have hardened their necks, that they might not hear my words.
Historical Context
The dual mention of Israel and Judah connects the northern kingdom's past judgment (722 BC) with Judah's approaching doom. Despite witnessing Israel's destruction for Baal worship, Judah persisted in the same sins. The phrase 'done against themselves' appears also in Jeremiah 7:19, emphasizing that sin is ultimately self-destructive—harming the sinner more than God.
Questions for Reflection
- How is sin simultaneously an offense against God and self-destructive harm to the sinner?
- What does God's role as both Planter and Pronouncer of judgment reveal about His comprehensive sovereignty?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse explains the fire: 'For the LORD of hosts, that planted thee, hath pronounced evil against thee, for the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done against themselves to provoke me to anger in offering incense unto Baal.' God who 'planted' (nata) Israel now pronounces judgment (ra'ah). The phrase 'done against themselves' (le'hem, for themselves) indicates self-destructive sin—they harm themselves by provoking God. 'Offering incense unto Baal' (leqatter laBa'al) specifies the offense: idolatrous worship. The title 'LORD of hosts' (YHWH Tseva'oth) emphasizes divine military power to execute judgment. Both houses—Israel and Judah—share guilt for Baal worship spanning centuries.