Jeremiah 12:6
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Even your brothers— your own father’s household— even they have betrayed you; even they have cried aloud against you. Do not trust them, though they speak well of you.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
In this chapter we have, I. The prophet's humble complaint to God of the success that wicked people had in their wicked practices (Jer 12:1, Jer 12:2) and his appeal to God concerning his own integrity (Jer 12:3), with a prayer that God would, for the sake of the public, bring the wickedness of the wicked to an end (Jer 12:3, Jer 12:4). II. God's rebuke to the prophet for his uneasiness at his present troubles, bidding him prepare for greater (Jer 12:5, Jer 12:6). III. A sad lamentation of the present deplorable state of the Israel of God (Jer 12:7-13). IV. An intimation of mercy to God's people, in a denunciation of wrath against their neighbours that helped forward their affliction, that they should be plucked out; but with a promise that if they would at last join themselves with the people of God they should come in sharers with them in their privileges (Jer 12:14-17).
Open source ↗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).
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart.
“Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander.
They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart.
Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death.
For I was like a gentle lamb led to slaughter; I did not know that they had plotted against me: “Let us destroy the tree with its fruit; let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be remembered no more.”
Therefore this is what the LORD says concerning the people of Anathoth who are seeking your life and saying, “You must not prophesy in the name of the LORD, or you will die by our hand.”
I have become a stranger to my brothers and a foreigner to my mother’s sons,
While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews coordinated an attack on Paul and brought him before the judgment seat.
But my brothers are as faithless as wadis, as seasonal streams that overflow,
For I have heard the whispering of many: “Terror is on every side! Report him; let us report him!” All my trusted friends watch for my fall: “Perhaps he will be deceived so that we may prevail against him and take our vengeance upon him.”