Jeremiah 12:14
Thus saith the LORD against all mine evil neighbours, that touch the inheritance which I have caused my people Israel to inherit; Behold, I will pluck them out of their land, and pluck out the house of Judah from among them.
Original Language Analysis
כֹּ֣ה׀
H3541
כֹּ֣ה׀
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
1 of 24
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֗ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 24
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 24
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָֽרָעִ֔ים
against all mine evil
H7451
הָֽרָעִ֔ים
against all mine evil
Strong's:
H7451
Word #:
7 of 24
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
הַנֹּֽגְעִים֙
that touch
H5060
הַנֹּֽגְעִים֙
that touch
Strong's:
H5060
Word #:
8 of 24
properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive
בַּֽנַּחֲלָ֔ה
the inheritance
H5159
בַּֽנַּחֲלָ֔ה
the inheritance
Strong's:
H5159
Word #:
9 of 24
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הִנְחַ֥לְתִּי
to inherit
H5157
הִנְחַ֥לְתִּי
to inherit
Strong's:
H5157
Word #:
11 of 24
to inherit (as a (figurative) mode of descent), or (generally) to occupy; causatively, to bequeath, or (generally) distribute, instate
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עַמִּ֖י
which I have caused my people
H5971
עַמִּ֖י
which I have caused my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
13 of 24
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
15 of 24
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
מֵעַ֣ל
H5921
מֵעַ֣ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
18 of 24
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
20 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בֵּ֥ית
the house
H1004
בֵּ֥ית
the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
21 of 24
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יְהוּדָ֖ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֖ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
22 of 24
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
Cross References
Jeremiah 3:18In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers.Zechariah 2:8For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.Jeremiah 49:7Concerning Edom, thus saith the LORD of hosts; Is wisdom no more in Teman? is counsel perished from the prudent? is their wisdom vanished?Psalms 106:47Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise.Jeremiah 2:3Israel was holiness unto the LORD, and the firstfruits of his increase: all that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, saith the LORD.Deuteronomy 30:3That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee.
Historical Context
Nations surrounding Judah took advantage of Babylon's invasion to seize territory and loot (Ezekiel 25, 35; Obadiah; Amos 1:3-2:3). Edom was particularly aggressive (Psalm 137:7, Lamentations 4:21-22). God promises judgment on these opportunistic 'neighbors' and eventual restoration of Judah. Both judgments were fulfilled: surrounding nations were conquered by Babylon, then Persia; Judah returned from exile under Cyrus's decree.
Questions for Reflection
- How does judgment on nations who 'touched' God's inheritance demonstrate His continued commitment to Israel?
- What does 'plucking out' both enemies and Judah suggest about God's comprehensive sovereignty?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse transitions to promise: 'Thus saith the LORD against all mine evil neighbours, that touch the inheritance which I have caused my people Israel to inherit.' The 'evil neighbours' (shechenim hara'im) are surrounding nations who participated in Judah's destruction—Edom, Moab, Ammon, Philistia. 'Touch the inheritance' (noge'im banachalah) indicates violating Israel's God-given land. 'Behold, I will pluck them out of their land, and pluck out the house of Judah from among them.' The Hebrew natash (נָתַשׁ, uproot, pluck out) applies to both neighbors (judgment) and Judah (restoration). Exile will separate Judah from her enemies, ultimately for restoration.