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Jeremiah 20:12

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 20:12 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But, O Jehovah of hosts, that triest the righteous, that seest the heart and the mind, let me see thy vengeance on them; for unto thee have I revealed my cause.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But, O Jehovah of hosts, that triest the righteous, that seest the heart and the mind, let me see thy vengeance on them; for unto thee have I revealed my cause.
Jeremiah 20:12 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
9And if I say, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name, then there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with forbearing, and I cannot [contain].
10For I have heard the defaming of many, terror on every side. Denounce, and we will denounce him, [say] all my familiar friends, they that watch for my fall; peradventure he will be persuaded, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.
11But Jehovah is with me as a mighty one [and] a terrible: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail; they shall be utterly put to shame, because they have not dealt wisely, even with an everlasting dishonor which shall never be forgotten.
12But, O Jehovah of hosts, that triest the righteous, that seest the heart and the mind, let me see thy vengeance on them; for unto thee have I revealed my cause.
13Sing unto Jehovah, praise ye Jehovah; for he hath delivered the soul of the needy from the hand of evil-doers.
14Cursed be the day wherein I was born: let not the day wherein my mother bare me be blessed.
15Cursed be the man who brought tidings to my father, saying, A man-child is born unto thee; making him very glad.
← Jeremiah 20:11Jeremiah 20:13 →
← Full Chapter 20 Jeremiah Overview

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, O Lord, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, etc.] That tries the cause of the righteous, and vindicates them, rights their wrongs, and does them justice; being the omniscient God, the seer and searcher of the hearts and reins; who knows the uprightness of their hearts, as well as their ways, and the sincerity of their affections: or that tries the faith and patience of the righteous, their constancy and integrity; and upon trial finds that their affections are real, and their souls sincere; let me see thy vengeance on them; his enemies and persecutors; he does not seek vengeance himself, but desires it of the Lord; he does not ask to see his vengeance, but the…”
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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
“triest the righteous--in latent contrast to the hasty judgments of men (Jer 11:20; Jer 17:10). opened--that is, committed (compare Kg2 19:14; Psa 35:1).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“In the rest of the chapter we have an outbreak of deep emotion, of which the first part ends in a cry of hope Jeremiah 20:13, followed nevertheless by curses upon the day of his birth. Was this the result of feelings wounded by the indignities of a public scourging and a night spent in the stocks? Or was it not the mental agony of knowing that his ministry had (as it seemed) failed? He stands indeed before the multitudes with unbending strength, warning prince and people with unwavering constancy of the national ruin that would follow necessarily upon their sins. Before God he stood crushed by the thought that he had labored in vain, and spent his strength for nothing. It is important to…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“20:12 Jeremiah placed his complete trust in the Lord of Heaven’s Armies (see 5:14), who alone could carry out the vengeance due to the prophet’s enemies.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“that: Jer 17:10; Psa 7:9, Psa 11:5, Psa 17:3, Psa 26:2, Psa 26:3, Psa 139:23; Rev 2:23 let me: Jer 11:20, Jer 12:8, Jer 17:18, Jer 18:19-23; Ch2 24:22; Psa 54:7, Psa 59:10, Psa 109:6-20; Rev 6:10, Rev 18:20, Rev 19:2, Rev 19:3 for: Sa1 1:15; Psa 62:8, Psa 86:4; Isa 37:14, Isa 38:14; Pe1 2:23, Pe1 4:19 Jeremiah 20:13”
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Related study paths

Read Jeremiah 20 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification