Old Testament

Jeremiah 11:12

The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English

At a Glance

In this verse, God is warning the people of Judah and Jerusalem about the futility of their reliance on false gods.

Author
Jeremiah the prophet, with Baruch
Written
Around 600 BC
Genre
Prophecy
Original Audience
Judah before and during the Babylonian exile
CBTClear Bible Translation

Then the cities of Judah and the people of Jerusalem will go and cry out to the gods to whom they offer incense, but those gods will not save them at all in their time of trouble.

KJVKing James Version

Then shall the cities of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem go, and cry unto the gods unto whom they offer incense: but they shall not save them at all in the time of their trouble.

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In this verse, God is warning the people of Judah and Jerusalem about the futility of their reliance on false gods. Despite their cries for help, these idols, to whom they have been offering incense, will not be able to save them when they face real trouble. This highlights the emptiness of worshiping anything other than the true God, especially in times of crisis. The people are being reminded that their false gods cannot provide the protection or deliverance they seek. This serves as a call to recognize the limitations of their idols and to turn back to the one true God who can genuinely help them in their distress. The verse emphasizes the importance of faithfulness and reliance on God rather than on man-made deities that ultimately fail to deliver. Explore related idolatry.

How to apply Jeremiah 11:12 to your life

This verse encourages us to examine what we rely on in difficult times. Are we turning to temporary solutions or distractions instead of seeking God? It reminds us to place our trust in the Lord, who is our true source of help and salvation, especially when we face challenges.

Curated for this public verse page. Jeremiah Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Jeremiah 11:12 mean?

Jeremiah 11:12 warns the people of Judah and Jerusalem that their reliance on false gods is futile. When they face trouble, these idols will not be able to save them, highlighting the emptiness of worshiping anything other than the true God.

What is the significance of false gods in Jeremiah 11:12?

In Jeremiah 11:12, false gods represent the misplaced trust of the people. The verse emphasizes that these idols, to whom they offer incense, cannot provide help or protection during times of crisis.

How does Jeremiah 11:12 relate to idolatry?

Jeremiah 11:12 illustrates the dangers of idolatry by showing that the people’s devotion to false gods will not save them when they need help. It underscores the importance of relying on the true God instead.

What lesson can we learn from Jeremiah 11:12?

The lesson from Jeremiah 11:12 is to evaluate what we depend on in difficult times. It encourages us to seek help from God rather than temporary solutions or distractions that ultimately fail.

The Book of Jeremiah
Book Summary

The Book of Jeremiah

Jeremiah 1: The Call of Jeremiah

The words of Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah, a priest from Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, are recorded. The word of the LORD comes to him in the thirteenth year of King Josiah's reign over Judah. It continues to come to him through the reign of King Jehoiakim and until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah, when Jerusalem is carried into captivity. The LORD states that before He formed Jeremiah in the womb, He knew him and ordained him as a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah responds that he cannot speak because he is a child. The LORD commands him not to say he is a child, for he will go where the LORD sends him and speak what the LORD commands.

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