King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 11:16 Mean?

Jeremiah 11:16 in the King James Version says “The LORD called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindle...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The LORD called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken.”

Jeremiah 11:16 · KJV

Context

14

Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them: for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble. trouble: Heb. evil

15

What hath my beloved to do in mine house, seeing she hath wrought lewdness with many, and the holy flesh is passed from thee? when thou doest evil, then thou rejoicest. What: Heb. What is to my beloved in my house when: or, when thy evil is

16

The LORD called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken.

17

For the LORD of hosts, that planted thee, hath pronounced evil against thee, for the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done against themselves to provoke me to anger in offering incense unto Baal.

18

And the LORD hath given me knowledge of it, and I know it: then thou shewedst me their doings.

Read Jeremiah 11 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse uses olive tree imagery: 'The LORD called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit.' The Hebrew zayith ra'anan (זַיִת רַעֲנָן, luxuriant olive tree) describes Israel's intended beauty and fruitfulness. Olive trees were valuable—producing oil for food, light, anointing, medicine. 'Fair' (yepheh) and 'goodly fruit' (peri to'ar) indicate God's delight in His creation. 'With the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken.' The imagery shifts dramatically: fire consuming the tree, branches broken. The 'great tumult' (hamullah gedolah) may be enemy invasion or divine judgment's roar. What was beautiful becomes fuel; what bore fruit becomes destruction.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Olive cultivation was central to Israelite economy. The trees lived centuries, represented stability, prosperity, and blessing. The metaphor of Israel as olive tree appears in Hosea 14:6 and underlies Paul's discussion in Romans 11. Archaeological evidence shows olive oil production facilities throughout ancient Israel. Fire destroying olive orchards represented complete agricultural devastation—losing not just one season's crop but centuries-old trees.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the olive tree metaphor capture both Israel's intended beauty and its judgment through fire?
  2. What does the transition from flourishing tree to fuel for fire suggest about squandered privilege?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
זַ֤יִת1 of 16

“olive tree”

H2132

an olive (as yielding illuminating oil), the tree, the branch or the berry

רַֽעֲנָן֙2 of 16

“A green”

H7488

verdant; by analogy, new; figuratively, prosperous

יְפֵ֣ה3 of 16

“fair”

H3303

beautiful (literally or figuratively)

פְרִי4 of 16

“fruit”

H6529

fruit (literally or figuratively)

תֹ֔אַר5 of 16

“and of goodly”

H8389

outline, i.e., figure or appearance

קָרָ֥א6 of 16

“called”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

יְהוָ֖ה7 of 16

“The LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

שְׁמֵ֑ךְ8 of 16

“thy name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

לְק֣וֹל׀9 of 16

“with the noise”

H6963

a voice or sound

הֲמוּלָּ֣ה10 of 16

“tumult”

H1999

a sound

גְדֹלָ֗ה11 of 16

“of a great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

הִצִּ֥ית12 of 16

“he hath kindled”

H3341

to burn or set on fire; figuratively, to desolate

אֵשׁ֙13 of 16

“fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

עָלֶ֔יהָ14 of 16
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וְרָע֖וּ15 of 16

“of it are broken”

H7489

properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)

דָּלִיּוֹתָֽיו׃16 of 16

“upon it and the branches”

H1808

something dangling, i.e., a bough

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 11:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 11:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 11:17-24Isaiah 27:11Psalms 52:8Psalms 80:16John 15:6Matthew 3:10

Test Your Knowledge

Jeremiah 11 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJeremiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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