Jeremiah 11:9
And the LORD said unto me, A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֖ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 9
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
נִֽמְצָא
is found
H4672
נִֽמְצָא
is found
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
4 of 9
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
בְּאִ֣ישׁ
among the men
H376
בְּאִ֣ישׁ
among the men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
6 of 9
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
יְהוּדָ֔ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֔ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
7 of 9
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
Cross References
Hosea 6:9And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way by consent: for they commit lewdness.Jeremiah 5:31The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?Jeremiah 6:13For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.Jeremiah 8:10Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall inherit them: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.Matthew 26:15And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.John 11:53Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.Micah 3:11The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.
Historical Context
The concept of covenant as treaty makes 'conspiracy' appropriate language—breaking covenant with YHWH parallels political treason. The conspiracy may refer specifically to the organized Baal worship Josiah's reforms uncovered, or more broadly to the systemic apostasy pervading all levels of society. Either way, this wasn't accidental drift but deliberate, coordinated rebellion.
Questions for Reflection
- How does viewing widespread sin as 'conspiracy' against God intensify the seriousness of collective apostasy?
- What does the discovery of organized rebellion reveal about sin's tendency toward systematic, coordinated resistance to God?
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse reveals conspiracy: 'And the LORD said unto me, A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.' The Hebrew qesher (קֶשֶׁר, conspiracy, treason) indicates organized rebellion against divine covenant. This isn't individual sin but coordinated covenant violation. The conspiracy involves both rural Judah and urban Jerusalem—comprehensive apostasy. The legal language of 'found' (nimtsa) suggests discovery of treasonous plot. When a vassal conspires against their suzerain, the treaty consequences are triggered. Judah's organized idolatry constitutes treason against their covenant Lord.