King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 12:3 Mean?

Jeremiah 12:3 in the King James Version says “But thou, O LORD, knowest me: thou hast seen me, and tried mine heart toward thee: pull them out like sheep for the slau...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But thou, O LORD, knowest me: thou hast seen me, and tried mine heart toward thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter. toward: Heb. with thee”

Jeremiah 12:3 · KJV

Context

1

Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously? talk: or, reason the case with thee

2

Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins. they grow: Heb. they go on

3

But thou, O LORD, knowest me: thou hast seen me, and tried mine heart toward thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter. toward: Heb. with thee

4

How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein? the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He shall not see our last end.

5

If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?

Read Jeremiah 12 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse contrasts Jeremiah with the wicked: 'But thou, O LORD, knowest me: thou hast seen me, and tried mine heart toward thee.' Jeremiah's heart is open to God's examination. 'Knowest' (yada'tani) is intimate relational knowledge; 'seen' (re'itani) indicates direct observation; 'tried' (bachan) means tested and proven genuine. 'Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.' The prophet requests judgment on the hypocrites—remove them like sheep destined for butchering. This imprecatory prayer asks God to act on what He knows, vindicating the righteous by judging the wicked.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jeremiah appeals to God's omniscience—unlike humans who are deceived by hypocrisy, God knows true hearts. The sheep/slaughter imagery inverts 11:19 where Jeremiah was 'like a lamb to slaughter.' Now he asks that his persecutors face that fate instead. Such prayers for judgment appear throughout Psalms and prophets, expressing trust in divine justice rather than seeking personal revenge.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does appealing to God's knowledge of our hearts differ from self-righteous claims of innocence?
  2. What justifies praying for judgment on hypocritical persecutors?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וְאַתָּ֤ה1 of 13
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

יְהוָה֙2 of 13

“But thou O LORD”

H3068

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

יְדַעְתָּ֔נִי3 of 13

“knowest”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

תִּרְאֵ֕נִי4 of 13

“me thou hast seen”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

וּבָחַנְתָּ֥5 of 13

“me and tried”

H974

to test (especially metals); generally and figuratively, to investigate

לִבִּ֖י6 of 13

“mine heart”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

אִתָּ֑ךְ7 of 13
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

הַתִּקֵם֙8 of 13

“toward thee pull them out”

H5423

to tear off

כְּצֹ֣אן9 of 13

“like sheep”

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

לְטִבְחָ֔ה10 of 13

“for the slaughter”

H2878

properly, something slaughtered; hence, a beast (or meat, as butchered); abstractly butchery (or concretely, a place of slaughter)

וְהַקְדִּשֵׁ֖ם11 of 13

“and prepare”

H6942

to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)

לְי֥וֹם12 of 13

“them for the day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הֲרֵגָֽה׃13 of 13

“of slaughter”

H2028

slaughter

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 12:3 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 12:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 20:3Jeremiah 17:18Psalms 17:3James 5:5Psalms 139:1-4Psalms 26:1

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