Jeremiah 12:11
They have made it desolate, and being desolate it mourneth unto me; the whole land is made desolate, because no man layeth it to heart.
Original Language Analysis
שָׂ֥ם
They have made
H7760
שָׂ֥ם
They have made
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
1 of 14
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
עָלַ֖י
H5921
עָלַ֖י
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
שְׁמֵמָ֑ה
and being desolate
H8077
שְׁמֵמָ֑ה
and being desolate
Strong's:
H8077
Word #:
5 of 14
devastation; figuratively, astonishment
נָשַׁ֙מָּה֙
H6213
נָשַׁ֙מָּה֙
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
6 of 14
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָאָ֔רֶץ
unto me the whole land
H776
הָאָ֔רֶץ
unto me the whole land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
8 of 14
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
כִּ֛י
H3588
כִּ֛י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
9 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אִ֖ישׁ
because no man
H376
אִ֖ישׁ
because no man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
11 of 14
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)
שָׂ֥ם
They have made
H7760
שָׂ֥ם
They have made
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
12 of 14
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
Cross References
Isaiah 42:25Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it hath set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid it not to heart.Jeremiah 23:10For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right.Jeremiah 14:2Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish; they are black unto the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up.
Historical Context
The personification of land mourning reflects ancient Near Eastern concepts of land/deity relationships. But in Israel's case, the land itself was YHWH's possession, given to Israel conditionally. When conditions were violated, the land 'mourned' under resulting curse. The failure to 'lay to heart' echoes 5:21 ('have eyes but see not, ears but hear not') and anticipates Jesus' similar lament (Matthew 13:14-15).
Questions for Reflection
- What does the land's 'mourning unto God' suggest about creation's relationship to its Creator?
- How does failure to 'lay to heart' prophetic warning connect to eventual devastation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse intensifies desolation: 'They have made it desolate, and being desolate it mourneth unto me.' The Hebrew shemamah (שְׁמָמָה, desolation) appears twice, emphasizing completeness. The land 'mourns to me' (avelah alay)—addressing God with its grief. 'The whole land is made desolate, because no man layeth it to heart.' 'No man layeth to heart' (ein ish sam al-lev) means no one considers, reflects, takes seriously. The devastation could have been prevented by heart-attention to prophetic warning. Spiritual obliviousness produced physical desolation.