Jeremiah 12:16
And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, The LORD liveth; as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built in the midst of my people.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָ֡ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֡ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 20
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
2 of 20
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לִמְּדוּ֙
And it shall come to pass if they will diligently
H3925
לִמְּדוּ֙
And it shall come to pass if they will diligently
Strong's:
H3925
Word #:
3 of 20
properly, to goad, i.e., (by implication) to teach (the rod being an middle eastern incentive)
לִמְּדוּ֙
And it shall come to pass if they will diligently
H3925
לִמְּדוּ֙
And it shall come to pass if they will diligently
Strong's:
H3925
Word #:
4 of 20
properly, to goad, i.e., (by implication) to teach (the rod being an middle eastern incentive)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דַּֽרְכֵ֨י
the ways
H1870
דַּֽרְכֵ֨י
the ways
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
6 of 20
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
עַמִּֽי׃
my people
H5971
עַמִּֽי׃
my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
7 of 20
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
לְהִשָּׁבֵ֖עַ
to swear
H7650
לְהִשָּׁבֵ֖עַ
to swear
Strong's:
H7650
Word #:
8 of 20
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
בִּשְׁמִי֙
by my name
H8034
בִּשְׁמִי֙
by my name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
9 of 20
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
חַי
liveth
H2416
חַי
liveth
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
10 of 20
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
יְהוָ֔ה
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
11 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לִמְּדוּ֙
And it shall come to pass if they will diligently
H3925
לִמְּדוּ֙
And it shall come to pass if they will diligently
Strong's:
H3925
Word #:
13 of 20
properly, to goad, i.e., (by implication) to teach (the rod being an middle eastern incentive)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עַמִּֽי׃
my people
H5971
עַמִּֽי׃
my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
15 of 20
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
לְהִשָּׁבֵ֖עַ
to swear
H7650
לְהִשָּׁבֵ֖עַ
to swear
Strong's:
H7650
Word #:
16 of 20
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
וְנִבְנ֖וּ
then shall they be built
H1129
וְנִבְנ֖וּ
then shall they be built
Strong's:
H1129
Word #:
18 of 20
to build (literally and figuratively)
Cross References
Jeremiah 4:2And thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.Joshua 23:7That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them:Zephaniah 1:5And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship and that swear by the LORD, and that swear by Malcham;Isaiah 45:23I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.Isaiah 65:16That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.Isaiah 49:6And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.Jeremiah 5:2And though they say, The LORD liveth; surely they swear falsely.Jeremiah 3:17At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.Zechariah 2:11And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.
Historical Context
This verse anticipates gentile inclusion in God's people—remarkable given Israel's election theology. The requirement is genuine worship ('swear by my name, YHWH lives') replacing Baal allegiance. Post-exilic Judaism did incorporate some gentile proselytes, prefiguring the church's universal mission. The reversal of 'teaching'—nations who taught Baal worship learning YHWH worship—demonstrates complete transformation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does inviting pagan nations to 'learn the ways of my people' anticipate gentile inclusion in the church?
- What does requiring 'swearing by YHWH' rather than Baal indicate about the heart of genuine conversion?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This verse extends invitation to nations: 'And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, The LORD liveth; as they taught my people to swear by Baal.' The Hebrew lamad (לָמַד, learn) applies to nations learning Israel's ways—reversing their previous teaching Israel Baal worship. 'Then shall they be built in the midst of my people.' 'Built' (nivnu) indicates establishment, incorporation into covenant community. The former teachers of Baalism can become learners of YHWH worship and be included among God's people. This remarkable promise anticipates gentile incorporation through faith.