God’s Word Translation
Jeremiah 11:12
12Then the cities of Judah and those who live in Jerusalem will cry to the gods to whom they’ve been sacrificing. But these gods will never rescue them when they’re in trouble.
Jeremiah 11:12 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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.
- New International Version (NIV)The towns of Judah and the people of Jerusalem will go and cry out to the gods to whom they burn incense, but they will not help them at all when disaster strikes.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Then the cities of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem will go and cry to the gods to whom they make offerings, but they cannot save them in the time of their trouble.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Then the cities of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem will go and cry out to the gods to whom they offer incense, but they will not save them at all in the time of their trouble.
Context of Jeremiah 11:12
10They’ve gone back to the evil ways of their ancestors and refused to obey my words. They are following other gods and worshiping them. The nations of Israel and Judah have rejected the promise that I made to their ancestors. 11This is what the Lord says: I’m going to bring a disaster on them that they can’t escape. Although they will cry out to me, I won’t listen to them. Then the cities of Judah and those who live in Jerusalem will cry to the gods to whom they’ve been sacrificing. But these gods will never rescue them when they’re in trouble. 13Judah, you have as many gods as you have cities. You have set up many altars ⌞in Jerusalem⌟ to sacrifice to Baal. You have as many altars as there are streets in Jerusalem. 14Jeremiah, don’t pray for these people. Don’t cry or pray for them. I won’t listen when they call to me for help in times of trouble.
Read all of Jeremiah 11Jeremiah 11:12 word by word
וְהָֽלְכ֞וּ עָרֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֗ה וְיֹשְׁבֵי֙ יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם וְזָֽעֲקוּ֙ אֶל־הָ֣אֱלֹהִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֛ר הֵ֥ם מְקַטְּרִ֖ים לָהֶ֑ם וְהוֹשֵׁ֛עַ לֹֽא־יוֹשִׁ֥יעוּ לָהֶ֖ם בְּעֵ֥ת רָעָתָֽם׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Then shall the citiesעִיר‛îyr ‛âr ‛âyar · cityH5892
- of Judahיְהוּדָהyehûdâh · JudahH3063
- and inhabitantsיָשַׁבyâshab · to dwellH3427
- of Jerusalemיְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵםyerûshâlaim yerûshâlayim · JerusalemH3389
- goהָלַךְhâlak · to go: wentH1980
- and cryזָעַקzâ‛aq · to cry outH2199
- unto the godsאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430
- unto whom they offer incenseקָטַרqâţar · to offer: offerH6999
- but they shall not saveיָשַׁעyâsha‛ · to saveH3467
- in the timeעֵת‛êth · timeH6256
- of their troubleרָעָהra‛ râ‛âh · distress: harmH7451
Cross-references for Jeremiah 11:12
- Jeremiah 2:28Where are the gods that you made for yourselves? Let them come and rescue you when you’re in trouble. You have as many gods as you have cities, Judah!
- Jeremiah 44:17We will do everything we said we would do. We will burn incense to the queen of heaven and pour out wine offerings to her as our ancestors, our kings, and our officials did in the cities of Judah and on the streets of Jerusalem. We had plenty to eat then, and we lived comfortably and saw no disaster.
- Deuteronomy 32:37Then he will ask, “Where are their gods? Where is the rock they took refuge in?
- Judges 10:14Cry out for help to the gods you chose. Let them rescue you when you’re in trouble.”
- 2 Chronicles 28:22When he had this trouble, King Ahaz became more unfaithful to the Lord.
- Isaiah 45:20Come here, you refugees from the nations. Ignorant people carry wooden idols and pray to gods that cannot save ⌞anyone⌟.
Commentaries on Jeremiah 11:12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12Go, and cry unto the gods - See Jeremiah 2:28.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-17Verses 11-17 Evil pursues sinners, and entangles them in snares, out of which they cannot free themselves. Now, in their distress, their many gods and many altars stand them in no stead. And those whose own prayers will not be heard, cannot expect benefit from the prayers of others. Their profession of religion shall prove of no use. When trouble came upon them, they made this their confidence, but God has rejected it. His altar shall yield them no…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12The people of Judah and Jerusalem prayed and worshiped during their troubles, but not to the Lord. Instead, they prayed to their idols. They were attached to lifeless and powerless images made of wood and stone, instead of the one true God.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. cry unto the gods ... not save--(De 32:37, 38). Compare this verse and beginning of Jr 11:13; Jr 2:28. in the time of their trouble--that is, calamity (Jr 2:27).Read the comment
Topics related to Jeremiah 11:12
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Jeremiah 11
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries