Jeremiah 12:17

But if they will not obey, then I will uproot that nation; I will uproot it and destroy it, declares the LORD.”

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The LORD speaks through Jeremiah concerning neighboring nations that have historically opposed Israel. This declaration immediately follows a conditional promise of establishment for those who learn God’s ways and swear by His name.

The words — The Hebrew verb נָתַשׁ (nātash) appears as וְ/נָ֨תַשְׁתִּי (ve./nātash-tî) and נָת֥וֹשׁ (nātōsh), literally "I will pluck up" and "plucking up." It is framed by אִם ('im) "if" and לֹא (lōʾ) "not" with יִשְׁמְעוּ (yishməʿû) "they will listen" to establish the condition for removal.

The thread — The threat of national destruction for disobedience runs parallel to Isaiah 60:12, where kingdoms that refuse to serve God are promised utter ruin, and aligns with Jeremiah 12:14’s warning against evil neighbors attacking God’s inheritance.

Why it lands — The text plainly states that persistent refusal to heed God’s authority triggers irreversible uprooting and destruction. It requires the reader to accept that divine patience operates within defined boundaries and that rejection carries immediate, non-negotiable consequences.

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

וְאִ֖םve./'Imand/ if לֹ֣אlo'not יִשְׁמָ֑עוּyish.Ma.'uthey will listen וְנָ֨תַשְׁתִּ֜יve./Na.tash.Tiand/ I will pluck up אֶת־'et-<obj.>הַגּ֥וֹיha./Goythe/ nation הַה֛וּאha./Hu'<the>/ that נָת֥וֹשׁna.To.oshplucking up וְאַבֵּ֖דve./'a.Bedand/ destroying נְאֻם־ne.'um-[the] utterance of יְהוָֽה׃ סYah.wehYahweh

King James Version

But if they will not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation, saith the Lord.

Cross-references

Isaiah 60:12 For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly destroyed.
Psalms 2:8 Ask Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance, the ends of the earth Your possession.
Jeremiah 12:14 This is what the LORD says: “As for all My evil neighbors who attack the inheritance that I bequeathed to My people Israel, I am about to uproot them from their land, and I will uproot the house of Judah from among them.
Jeremiah 18:7 At any time I might announce that a nation or kingdom will be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed.
Jeremiah 31:28 Just as I watched over them to uproot and tear down, to demolish, destroy, and bring disaster, so I will watch over them to build and to plant,” declares the LORD.
Ezekiel 19:12 But it was uprooted in fury, cast down to the ground, and the east wind dried up its fruit. Its strong branches were stripped off and they withered; the fire consumed them.
Daniel 7:4 The first beast was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man and given the mind of a man.
Daniel 11:4 But as soon as he is established, his kingdom will be broken up and parceled out toward the four winds of heaven. It will not go to his descendants, nor will it have the authority with which he ruled, because his kingdom will be uprooted and given to others.
Zechariah 14:16 Then all the survivors from the nations that came against Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD of Hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.
Luke 19:27 And these enemies of mine who were unwilling for me to rule over them, bring them here and slay them in front of me.’”