Jeremiah 12:16

And if they will diligently learn the ways of My people and swear by My name, saying, ‘As surely as the LORD lives’—just as they once taught My people to swear by Baal—then they will be established among My people.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — God addresses the prophet regarding the exiled nations He previously judged, outlining the conditions under which He will restore them to Israel's midst.

The words — The Hebrew יִלְמְדוּ (yil.me.Du) translates literally as "they will learn," coupled with לְ/הִשָּׁבֵעַ (le./hi.sha.Ve.a') for "to swear," marking the precise actions required for their acceptance.

The thread — The conditional oath requirement aligns with Jeremiah 4:2's standard for truthful swearing, opposes Joshua 23:7's prohibition against covenant entanglement, and parallels Zephaniah 1:5's rebuke of syncretistic vows.

Why it lands — The passage establishes a direct, observable test of loyalty, granting communal standing only when former idolaters abandon Baal worship and adopt exclusive covenant fidelity.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

King James Version

And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, The Lord liveth; as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built in the midst of my people.

Cross-references

Jeremiah 4:2 and if you can swear, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ in truth, in justice, and in righteousness, then the nations will be blessed by Him, and in Him they will glory.”
Joshua 23:7 So you are not to associate with these nations that remain among you. You must not call on the names of their gods or swear by them, and you must not serve them or bow down to them.
Zephaniah 1:5 those who bow on the rooftops to worship the host of heaven, those who bow down and swear by the LORD but also swear by Milcom,
Deuteronomy 10:20 You are to fear the LORD your God and serve Him. Hold fast to Him and take your oaths in His name.
Jeremiah 3:17 At that time they will call Jerusalem The Throne of the LORD, and all the nations will be gathered in Jerusalem to honor the name of the LORD. They will no longer follow the stubbornness of their evil hearts.
Zechariah 2:11 “On that day many nations will join themselves to the LORD, and they will become My people. I will dwell among you, and you will know that the LORD of Hosts has sent Me to you.
Psalms 106:35 but they mingled with the nations and adopted their customs.
Isaiah 9:18 For wickedness burns like a fire that consumes the thorns and briers and kindles the forest thickets, which roll upward in billows of smoke.
Isaiah 45:23 By Myself I have sworn; truth has gone out from My mouth, a word that will not be revoked: Every knee will bow before Me, every tongue will swear allegiance.
Isaiah 49:6 He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.”