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Jeremiah 12:16

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 12:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, As Jehovah liveth; even as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built up in the midst of my people.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, As Jehovah liveth; even as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built up in the midst of my people.
Jeremiah 12:16 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13They have sown wheat, and have reaped thorns; they have put themselves to pain, and profit nothing: and ye shall be ashamed of your fruits, because of the fierce anger of Jehovah.
14Thus saith Jehovah against all mine evil neighbors, that touch the inheritance which I have caused my people Israel to inherit: behold, I will pluck them up from off their land, and will pluck up the house of Judah from among them.
15And it shall come to pass, after that I have plucked them up, I will return and have compassion on them; and I will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land.
16And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, As Jehovah liveth; even as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built up in the midst of my people.
17But if they will not hear, then will I pluck up that nation, plucking up and destroying it, saith Jehovah.
← Jeremiah 12:15Jeremiah 12:17 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, etc.] Not their evil ways of sin or superstition, they sometimes stray into; but the ways which God has prescribed to them, and has directed them to walk in, and in which they do walk; and which are to be learned of the Lord, by a diligent attendance with his people on his word and ordinances; (see <230203>Isaiah 2:3): to swear by my name, the Lord liveth; that is, to worship and serve the living God, a self-existent Being, who has life in himself, and of himself, and not another; and is the fountain, author, and giver of natural life to all creatures, and spiritual and eternal life to his true worshippers:…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“swear by my name-- (Jer 4:2; Isa 19:18; Isa 65:16); that is, confess solemnly the true God. built--be made spiritually and temporally prosperous: fixed in sure habitations (compare Jer 24:6; Jer 42:10; Jer 45:4; Psa 87:4-5; Eph 2:20-21; Pe1 2:5).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The accomplishment of this blessing depends upon both Judah and the Gentiles reversing their past conduct. Then shall the believing Gentile be admitted within the fold of the true, because spiritual, Israel - Christ’s Church. return to 'Top of Page' Footnotes: Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliographical Information Barnes, Albert. "Commentary on Jeremiah 12". "Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnb/jeremiah-12.html. 1870. StudyLight.org &copy;&#160;2001-2026 Powered by Lightspeed Technology”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“If - If they will leave their idolatries, and learn to worship me, and swear by my name the Lord liveth, that is, pay that homage which they owe to the Divine being to me, the living and true God. Then - They shall have a portion among my people, which was eminently fulfilled in the conversion of the Gentiles. Next: Jeremiah Chapter 13”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“12:16 To experience God’s compassion (12:15), the people of other nations needed to convert from idolatry and learn the ways of God’s people. This conversion would require a public submission to the terms of the Sinai covenant that included the words, as surely as the Lord lives. In addition, they would need to reject any oaths made in the name of Baal, by which they had persuaded Israelites to worship foreign idols.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“my name: Jer 4:2, Jer 5:2; Deu 10:20, Deu 10:21; Sol 1:8; Isa 9:18-21, Isa 45:23, Isa 65:16; Rom 14:11 as they: Jos 23:7; Psa 106:35, Psa 106:36; Zep 1:5 built: Isa 19:23-25, Isa 56:5, Isa 56:6; Zac 2:11; Rom 11:17; Co1 3:9; Eph 2:19-22; Pe1 2:4-6 Jeremiah 12:17”
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Related study paths

Read Jeremiah 12 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification