Old Testament
Jeremiah 11:16
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
The LORD called you a green olive tree, beautiful and full of good fruit. With the sound of a great tumult, he has set it on fire, and its branches are broken.
Compare translations
The LORD called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken.
What Jeremiah 11:16 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, God uses the imagery of a green olive tree to describe His people, symbolizing beauty, vitality, and the potential for good. The olive tree is known for its fruitfulness and longevity, representing the blessings and favor God has bestowed upon them. However, despite this positive imagery, the verse takes a dark turn as it mentions a great tumult and fire that has been kindled upon the tree, leading to its branches being broken. This signifies impending judgment and destruction due to the people's disobedience and unfaithfulness to God. The contrast between the initial beauty of the olive tree and the subsequent devastation highlights the seriousness of turning away from God and the consequences that follow. It serves as a warning to remain faithful and to recognize the importance of maintaining a relationship with God to avoid such destruction.
How to apply Jeremiah 11:16 to your life
This verse reminds us to stay faithful to God and to nurture our relationship with Him. Just as the olive tree represents beauty and good fruit, our lives should reflect God's goodness. We must be aware of the consequences of turning away from Him and strive to remain rooted in faith.
Curated for this public verse page. Jeremiah Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Noah's story: Noah Is Born (Genesis 5:28–32)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Noah
Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002725043). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Nablus and Mount Gerizim, West Bank; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Shechem
Where God promised the land to Abram, and where Joshua led Israel to renew the covenant.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Jeremiah 11:16
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Jeremiah 11:16
Related Bible verses
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Jeremiah
- Author
- Jeremiah the prophet, with Baruch
- Written
- Around 600 BC
- Genre
- Prophecy
- Original Audience
- Judah before and during the Babylonian exile
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Jeremiah 11:16 mean?
Jeremiah 11:16 uses the imagery of a green olive tree to symbolize God's people, representing their beauty and potential for good. However, it also warns of impending judgment and destruction due to their disobedience.
What is the significance of the olive tree in Jeremiah 11:16?
In Jeremiah 11:16, the olive tree symbolizes beauty, vitality, and the blessings God has given His people. Its destruction signifies the consequences of turning away from God.
What does the phrase 'great tumult' refer to in Jeremiah 11:16?
The phrase 'great tumult' in Jeremiah 11:16 refers to the chaos and destruction that will come as a result of God's judgment on His people for their unfaithfulness.
What warning does Jeremiah 11:16 give to believers?
Jeremiah 11:16 serves as a warning to believers about the consequences of disobedience to God, emphasizing the importance of remaining faithful to avoid destruction.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.