Jeremiah 12:2
Thou 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.
Original Language Analysis
נְטַעְתָּם֙
Thou hast planted
H5193
נְטַעְתָּם֙
Thou hast planted
Strong's:
H5193
Word #:
1 of 12
properly, to strike in, i.e., fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively)
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
2 of 12
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
שֹׁרָ֔שׁוּ
them yea they have taken root
H8327
שֹׁרָ֔שׁוּ
them yea they have taken root
Strong's:
H8327
Word #:
3 of 12
to root, i.e., strike into the soil, or (by implication) to pluck from it
יֵלְכ֖וּ
H1980
יֵלְכ֖וּ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
4 of 12
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
5 of 12
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
עָ֣שׂוּ
yea they bring forth
H6213
עָ֣שׂוּ
yea they bring forth
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
6 of 12
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
בְּפִיהֶ֔ם
in their mouth
H6310
בְּפִיהֶ֔ם
in their mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
10 of 12
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
Cross References
Isaiah 29:13Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:Titus 1:16They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.Matthew 15:8This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.Jeremiah 11:17For 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.Jeremiah 45:4Thus shalt thou say unto him, The LORD saith thus; Behold, that which I have built will I break down, and that which I have planted I will pluck up, even this whole land.Ezekiel 33:31And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.
Historical Context
The contrast between mouth and heart echoes Isaiah 29:13 ('this people draw near me with their mouth...but have removed their heart far from me') and anticipates Jesus' quotation of Isaiah against the Pharisees (Matthew 15:8). Judah's leaders maintained temple worship and covenant language while practicing idolatry and injustice. Their prosperity despite hypocrisy troubled Jeremiah.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the contrast between 'near in mouth' and 'far from heart' define religious hypocrisy?
- Why does God sometimes allow hypocrites to prosper, at least temporarily?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This verse describes the wicked's condition: 'Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root.' The Hebrew verb nata (נָטַע, plant) uses agricultural imagery—God Himself established them. 'They grow, yea, they bring forth fruit.' They flourish and are productive. 'Thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins.' This is the key accusation: they speak of God (YHWH is 'near in mouth') but He is 'far from their kidneys/inner parts' (rachok mikliyothem). Their religious speech lacks heart reality. They maintain religious vocabulary without genuine devotion. This describes the hypocrite—outwardly religious, inwardly distant from God.