King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 11:23 Mean?

Jeremiah 11:23 in the King James Version says “And there shall be no remnant of them: for I will bring evil upon the men of Anathoth, even the year of their visitation... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And there shall be no remnant of them: for I will bring evil upon the men of Anathoth, even the year of their visitation.

Jeremiah 11:23 · KJV


Context

21

Therefore thus saith the LORD of the men of Anathoth, that seek thy life, saying, Prophesy not in the name of the LORD, that thou die not by our hand:

22

Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, I will punish them: the young men shall die by the sword; their sons and their daughters shall die by famine: punish: Heb. visit upon

23

And there shall be no remnant of them: for I will bring evil upon the men of Anathoth, even the year of their visitation.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse completes Anathoth's judgment: 'And there shall be no remnant of them: for I will bring evil upon the men of Anathoth, even the year of their visitation.' 'No remnant' (she'erith) indicates total elimination—no survivors to continue the community. 'Year of their visitation' (shenath pequddatham) is the appointed time of divine reckoning. The destruction would be complete, fulfilling their desire to eliminate Jeremiah completely but applied to themselves instead. The same terminology they used ('cut off from the land of the living') becomes their own fate.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The ironic reversal—those who sought to eliminate Jeremiah are eliminated—demonstrates divine justice's precision. Anathoth's destruction during the Babylonian conquest fulfilled this prophecy. Later tradition suggests few if any Anathothites returned from exile to reclaim their town. The phrase 'year of their visitation' marks God's calendared judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the reversal of Anathoth's plot against Jeremiah demonstrate poetic divine justice?
  2. What warning does this judgment offer to those who oppose God's messengers?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וּשְׁאֵרִ֕ית1 of 12

And there shall be no remnant

H7611

a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion

לֹ֥א2 of 12
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִֽהְיֶ֖ה3 of 12
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לָהֶ֑ם4 of 12
H0
כִּֽי5 of 12
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אָבִ֥יא6 of 12

of them for I will bring

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

רָעָ֛ה7 of 12

evil

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

אֶל8 of 12
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַנְשֵׁ֥י9 of 12
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

עֲנָת֖וֹת10 of 12

of Anathoth

H6068

anathoth, the name of two israelites, also of a place in pal

שְׁנַ֥ת11 of 12

even the year

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

פְּקֻדָּתָֽם׃12 of 12

of their visitation

H6486

visitation (in many senses, chiefly official)


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 11:23 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 11:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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