Jeremiah 12:3

Authorized King James Version

PDF

But thou, O LORD, knowest me: thou hast seen me, and tried mine heart toward thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.

Original Language Analysis

וְאַתָּ֤ה H859
וְאַתָּ֤ה
Strong's: H859
Word #: 1 of 13
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
יְהוָה֙ But thou O LORD H3068
יְהוָה֙ But thou O LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 2 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
יְדַעְתָּ֔נִי knowest H3045
יְדַעְתָּ֔נִי knowest
Strong's: H3045
Word #: 3 of 13
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
תִּרְאֵ֕נִי me thou hast seen H7200
תִּרְאֵ֕נִי me thou hast seen
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 4 of 13
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
וּבָחַנְתָּ֥ me and tried H974
וּבָחַנְתָּ֥ me and tried
Strong's: H974
Word #: 5 of 13
to test (especially metals); generally and figuratively, to investigate
לִבִּ֖י mine heart H3820
לִבִּ֖י mine heart
Strong's: H3820
Word #: 6 of 13
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
אִתָּ֑ךְ H854
אִתָּ֑ךְ
Strong's: H854
Word #: 7 of 13
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
הַתִּקֵם֙ toward thee pull them out H5423
הַתִּקֵם֙ toward thee pull them out
Strong's: H5423
Word #: 8 of 13
to tear off
כְּצֹ֣אן like sheep H6629
כְּצֹ֣אן like sheep
Strong's: H6629
Word #: 9 of 13
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
לְטִבְחָ֔ה for the slaughter H2878
לְטִבְחָ֔ה for the slaughter
Strong's: H2878
Word #: 10 of 13
properly, something slaughtered; hence, a beast (or meat, as butchered); abstractly butchery (or concretely, a place of slaughter)
וְהַקְדִּשֵׁ֖ם and prepare H6942
וְהַקְדִּשֵׁ֖ם and prepare
Strong's: H6942
Word #: 11 of 13
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
לְי֥וֹם them for the day H3117
לְי֥וֹם them for the day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 12 of 13
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הֲרֵגָֽה׃ of slaughter H2028
הֲרֵגָֽה׃ of slaughter
Strong's: H2028
Word #: 13 of 13
slaughter

Analysis & Commentary

This verse contrasts Jeremiah with the wicked: 'But thou, O LORD, knowest me: thou hast seen me, and tried mine heart toward thee.' Jeremiah's heart is open to God's examination. 'Knowest' (yada'tani) is intimate relational knowledge; 'seen' (re'itani) indicates direct observation; 'tried' (bachan) means tested and proven genuine. 'Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.' The prophet requests judgment on the hypocrites—remove them like sheep destined for butchering. This imprecatory prayer asks God to act on what He knows, vindicating the righteous by judging the wicked.

Historical Context

Jeremiah appeals to God's omniscience—unlike humans who are deceived by hypocrisy, God knows true hearts. The sheep/slaughter imagery inverts 11:19 where Jeremiah was 'like a lamb to slaughter.' Now he asks that his persecutors face that fate instead. Such prayers for judgment appear throughout Psalms and prophets, expressing trust in divine justice rather than seeking personal revenge.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People