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Jeremiah 12:3

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 12:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But thou, O Jehovah, knowest me; thou seest me, and triest my heart toward thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But thou, O Jehovah, knowest me; thou seest me, and triest my heart toward thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.
Jeremiah 12:3 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Righteous art thou, O Jehovah, when I contend with thee; yet would I reason the cause with thee: wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they at ease that deal very treacherously?
2Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root; they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou art near in their mouth, and far from their heart.
3But thou, O Jehovah, knowest me; thou seest me, and triest my heart toward thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.
4How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of the whole country wither? for the wickedness of them that dwell therein, the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He shall not see our latter end.
5If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and though in a land of peace thou art secure, yet how wilt thou do in the pride of the Jordan?
6For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have dealt treacherously with thee; even they have cried aloud after thee: believe them not, though they speak fair words unto thee.
← Jeremiah 12:2Jeremiah 12:4 →
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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
“But thou, O Lord, knowest me, etc.] The Lord knew him before he was born, (<240105>Jeremiah 1:5), he knew what he designed him for, and what use he would make of him; and he knew him now, and loved him, and cared for him, as his prophet; he knew his sincerity and faithfulness, and took notice of it, with what integrity he performed his office, and discharged his duty; and he knew that all his enemies said of him were scandal and reproach, lies and calumnies. Thou hast seen me; his inside, his heart, and all in it; for all things are naked and open to the eyes of an omniscient God: and tried mine heart towards thee; he had tried him by various afflictive providences, and his heart was found…”
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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
“knowest me-- (Psa 139:1). tried . . . heart-- (Jer 11:20). toward thee--rather, "with Thee," that is, entirely devoted to Thee; contrasted with the hypocrites (Jer 12:2), "near in . . . mouth, and far from . . . reins." This being so, how is it that I fare so ill, they so well? pull . . . out--containing the metaphor, from a "rooted tree" (Jer 12:2). prepare--literally, "separate," or "set apart as devoted." day of slaughter-- (Jam 5:5).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Thou hast seen me ... - Rather, “Thou seest me and triest mine heart” at all times, and knowest the sincerity of its devotion” toward Thee.” Pull them out - The original is used Jeremiah 10:20 of the rending asunder of the cords of the tent, and Ezekiel 17:9 of the tearing up of roots. Jeremiah does not doubt God’s justice, or the ultimate punishment of the wicked, but he wants it administered in a summary way. Prepare - literally, “sanctify,” i. e., devote. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“12:3 Although Jeremiah’s words seem self-righteous, he was submissive to the Lord’s personal searching of his heart. Jeremiah was also angry enough to demand that his enemies suffer the fate they had intended for him. He hoped they would be butchered or slaughtered like helpless sheep. Jeremiah did not seem to desire their forgiveness or their return to the Lord.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“knowest: Jer 11:20; Kg2 20:3; Ch1 29:17; Job 23:10; Psa 17:3, Psa 26:1, Psa 44:21; Psa 139:1, Psa 139:23; Joh 21:17; Jo1 3:20, Jo1 3:21 toward: or, with pull: Jer 17:18, Jer 18:21-23, Jer 20:12, Jer 48:15, Jer 50:27, Jer 51:4 the day: Jer 11:19; Psa 44:22; Jam 5:5 Jeremiah 12:4”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification