Jeremiah 12:9
Mine heritage is unto me as a speckled bird, the birds round about are against her; come ye, assemble all the beasts of the field, come to devour.
Original Language Analysis
צָב֤וּעַ
is unto me as a speckled
H6641
צָב֤וּעַ
is unto me as a speckled
Strong's:
H6641
Word #:
2 of 14
dyed (in stripes), i.e., the hyena
נַחֲלָתִי֙
Mine heritage
H5159
נַחֲלָתִי֙
Mine heritage
Strong's:
H5159
Word #:
3 of 14
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
סָבִ֣יב
round about
H5439
סָבִ֣יב
round about
Strong's:
H5439
Word #:
6 of 14
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
עָלֶ֑יהָ
H5921
עָלֶ֑יהָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
7 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לְכ֗וּ
H1980
לְכ֗וּ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
8 of 14
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
אִסְפ֛וּ
ye assemble
H622
אִסְפ֛וּ
ye assemble
Strong's:
H622
Word #:
9 of 14
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
10 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
חַיַּ֥ת
all the beasts
H2416
חַיַּ֥ת
all the beasts
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
11 of 14
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
Cross References
Isaiah 56:9All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest.Jeremiah 7:33And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray them away.2 Kings 24:2And the LORD sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servants the prophets.
Historical Context
The 'speckled bird' may reference Israel's distinctive appearance attracting hostile attention from surrounding nations. Or it may indicate Israel's mixed, syncretistic religion making them neither acceptable to God nor fully pagan. Either way, other 'birds' (nations) attack, and 'beasts' (enemies) devour. The Babylonian Empire gathered vassal forces from multiple nations for the Judean campaign.
Questions for Reflection
- What makes Israel a 'speckled bird' attracting attack from surrounding nations?
- How does God summoning enemies to devour His people reflect covenant curse fulfillment?
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse adds another image: 'Mine heritage is unto me as a speckled bird, the birds round about are against her.' The Hebrew ayit tzavu'a (עַיִט צָבוּעַ) means 'hyena bird' or 'speckled bird of prey'—Israel's distinctiveness makes her target for other predators. 'Come ye, assemble all the beasts of the field, come to devour.' God summons wild beasts (chayath hasadeh) to consume His people. The predator-prey imagery continues: Israel as conspicuous prey surrounded by enemies, God calling enemies to attack. This isn't divine cruelty but covenant curse fulfillment (Deuteronomy 28:26).