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Jeremiah 12:6

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 12:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For 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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For 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 12:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
7I have forsaken my house, I have cast off my heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies.
8My heritage is become unto me as a lion in the forest: she hath uttered her voice against me; therefore I have hated her.
9Is my heritage unto me as a speckled bird of prey? are the birds of prey against her round about? go ye, assemble all the beasts of the field, bring them to devour.
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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
“For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, etc.] The men of Anathoth; even they have dealt treacherously with thee; by laying schemes, and consulting methods, to take away his life privately; his enemies were those of his own house; which is oftentimes the case of good men, and especially of such that are in public office: yea, they have called a multitude after thee; a multitude of men, which they gathered together, and instigated to call after him in a clamorous and reproachful way: or, they called after thee with a full voice, as the Vulgate Latinf241 version renders it; and which Deuteronomy Dieu approves of; they not only gathered a mob about him, and drew men after him, but…”
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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
“even thy brethren--as in Christ's case (Psa 69:8; Joh 1:11; Joh 7:5; compare Jer 9:4; Jer 11:19, Jer 11:21; Mat 10:36). Godly faithfulness is sure to provoke the ungodly, even of one's own family. called a multitude after thee-- (Isa 31:4). JEROME translates, "cry after thee with a loud (literally, 'full') voice." believe . . . not . . . though . . . speak fair-- (Pro 26:25).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Yahweh rebukes Jeremiah’s impatience, showing him by two proverbial sayings, that there were still greater trials of faith in store for him. Prosperous wickedness is after all a mere ordinary trial, a mere “running with the footmen;” he will have to exert far greater powers of endurance. And if in the land ... - Rather, “and in a land of peace thou art secure; but how wilt thou do amid the pride of Jordan?” if thou canst feel safe only where things are tranquil, what wilt thou do in the hour of danger? The “pride of Jordan” is taken to, mean the luxuriant thickets along its banks, famous as the haunt of lions (compare Jeremiah 49:19; Jeremiah 50:44; Zechariah 11:3). What will the prophet do…”
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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
“For even - The men of Anathoth, thine own town and country, and those of thy own family have conspired evil against thee secretly. A multitude - They have exposed thee to the rage of a multitude. Though - Tho' therefore they give thee fair words, yet repose no confidence in them. Jeremiah 12:7”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“12:6 Jeremiah’s family was a microcosm of Judah; they would plot . . . against Jeremiah behind his back (11:9) while speaking pleasantly to his face. They wanted to convince him that the Lord would not let the Babylonians harm the people of Judah and Jerusalem, and they hoped to stop him from bringing shame on the family (cp. Mark 3:21).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“thy brethren: Jer 9:4, Jer 11:19, Jer 11:21, Jer 20:10; Gen 37:4-11; Job 6:15; Psa 69:8; Eze 33:30, Eze 33:31; Mic 7:5, Mic 7:6; Mat 10:21; Mar 12:12; Joh 7:5 yea: Isa 31:4; Act 16:22, Act 18:12, Act 19:24-29, Act 21:28-30 have called: etc. or, cried after thee fully though: Psa 12:2; Pro 26:25; Mat 22:16-18 fair words: Heb. good things Jeremiah 12:7”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification