Jeremiah 9:12
Who is the wise man, that may understand this? and who is he to whom the mouth of the LORD hath spoken, that he may declare it, for what the land perisheth and is burned up like a wilderness, that none passeth through?
Original Language Analysis
מִֽי
H4310
מִֽי
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
1 of 20
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
הָאִ֤ישׁ
man
H376
הָאִ֤ישׁ
man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
2 of 20
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
הֶֽחָכָם֙
Who is the wise
H2450
הֶֽחָכָם֙
Who is the wise
Strong's:
H2450
Word #:
3 of 20
wise, (i.e., intelligent, skilful or artful)
וְיָבֵ֣ן
that may understand
H995
וְיָבֵ֣ן
that may understand
Strong's:
H995
Word #:
4 of 20
to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e., (generally) understand
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)
וַאֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
וַאֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבֶּ֧ר
hath spoken
H1696
דִּבֶּ֧ר
hath spoken
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
8 of 20
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
פִּֽי
this and who is he to whom the mouth
H6310
פִּֽי
this and who is he to whom the mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
9 of 20
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
יְהוָ֛ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְיַגִּדָ֑הּ
that he may declare
H5046
וְיַגִּדָ֑הּ
that he may declare
Strong's:
H5046
Word #:
12 of 20
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מָה֙
H4100
מָה֙
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
14 of 20
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
אָבְדָ֣ה
perisheth
H6
אָבְדָ֣ה
perisheth
Strong's:
H6
Word #:
15 of 20
properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
הָאָ֔רֶץ
it for what the land
H776
הָאָ֔רֶץ
it for what the land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
16 of 20
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
נִצְּתָ֥ה
and is burned up
H3341
נִצְּתָ֥ה
and is burned up
Strong's:
H3341
Word #:
17 of 20
to burn or set on fire; figuratively, to desolate
כַמִּדְבָּ֖ר
like a wilderness
H4057
כַמִּדְבָּ֖ר
like a wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
18 of 20
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
Cross References
Psalms 107:43Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.Hosea 14:9Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.Psalms 107:34A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.Deuteronomy 32:29O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!
Historical Context
This verse may address the exilic community's theological confusion. How could God allow His temple's destruction? Where was His promised protection? Ancient Near Eastern peoples expected their gods to defend their temples; YHWH's 'failure' required explanation. The answer comes in verses 13-14: covenant violation explains divine judgment. This theological processing during exile produced much of the Hebrew Bible's final form.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does understanding God's judgment require divine revelation rather than merely human wisdom?
- How does the question's form—searching for someone wise enough to understand—expose the limits of unaided human reasoning about God's ways?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This verse poses a wisdom question: 'Who is the wise man, that may understand this?' The Hebrew chakam (חָכָם, wise) and yavin (יָבִין, understand, discern) challenge those claiming wisdom to explain the situation. 'And who is he to whom the mouth of the LORD hath spoken, that he may declare it?' Questions both sages and prophets—who can explain why the land is ruined? 'For what the land perisheth and is burned up like a wilderness, that none passeth through?' The question's urgency reflects the theological crisis: how could YHWH's land, YHWH's people, YHWH's city face such devastation? Only divine revelation can answer—human wisdom fails to comprehend God's ways in judgment.