Jeremiah 2:12
Jeremiah 2:12 in Multiple Translations
Be stunned by this, O heavens; be shocked and utterly appalled,” declares the LORD.
Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD.
Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith Jehovah.
Be full of wonder, O heavens, at this; be overcome with fear, be completely waste, says the Lord.
You heavens, you should be appalled, shocked and horrified! declares the Lord.
O yee heauens, be astonied at this: bee afraid and vtterly confounded, sayeth the Lord.
Be astonished, ye heavens, at this, Yea, be frightened, be greatly wasted, An affirmation of Jehovah.
“Be astonished, you heavens, at this and be horribly afraid. Be very desolate,” says the LORD.
Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD.
Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and ye gates thereof, be very desolate, saith the Lord.
It is as though everything in the sky is surprised and dismayed/appalled about what you have done; it is as though they tremble because they are very horrified.
Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 2:12
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Jeremiah 2:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
שֹׁ֥מּוּ
שָׁמַ֖יִם
עַל
זֹ֑את
וְ/שַׂעֲר֛וּ
חָרְב֥וּ
מְאֹ֖ד
נְאֻם
יְהוָֽה
שֹׁ֥מּוּ
shâmêm
H8074
be desolate
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
שָׁמַ֖יִם
shâmayim
H8064
heaven
N-mp
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
זֹ֑את
zôʼth
H2063
this
Pron
וְ/שַׂעֲר֛וּ
sâʻar
H8175
to shudder
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2mp
חָרְב֥וּ
chârab
H2717
to dry
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
מְאֹ֖ד
mᵉʼôd
H3966
much
Adv
נְאֻם
nᵉʼum
H5002
utterance
N-ms
יְהוָֽה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 2:12
שֹׁ֥מּוּ
shâmêm
H8074
"be desolate"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
The word 'shamem' means to be desolate or devastated, like a place left empty and destroyed, often used to describe the aftermath of war or disaster.
Definition: : destroyed/deserted 1) to be desolate, be appalled, stun, stupefy 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be desolated, be deflowered, be deserted, be appalled 1a2) to be appalled, be awestruck 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be desolated, be made desolate 1b2) to be appalled 1c) (Polel) 1c1) to be stunned 1c2) appalling, causing horror (participle) 1c2a) horror-causer, appaller (subst) 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to devastate, ravage, make desolated 1d2) to appal, show horror 1e) (Hophal) to lay desolate, be desolated 1f) (Hithpolel) 1f1) to cause to be desolate 1f2) to be appalled, be astounded 1f3) to cause oneself desolation, cause oneself ruin
Usage: Occurs in 80 OT verses. KJV: make amazed, be astonied, (be an) astonish(-ment), (be, bring into, unto, lay, lie, make) desolate(-ion, places), be destitute, destroy (self), (lay, lie, make) waste, wonder. See also: Leviticus 26:22; Jeremiah 50:13; Psalms 40:16.
שָׁמַ֖יִם
shâmayim
H8064
"heaven"
N-mp
The Hebrew word for heaven or sky, it refers to the visible universe and the abode of God. It is often used in the Bible to describe the dwelling place of celestial bodies.
Definition: 1) heaven, heavens, sky 1a) visible heavens, sky 1a1) as abode of the stars 1a2) as the visible universe, the sky, atmosphere, etc 1b) Heaven (as the abode of God) Aramaic equivalent: sha.ma.yin (שָׁמַ֫יִן "heaven" H8065)
Usage: Occurs in 395 OT verses. KJV: air, [idiom] astrologer, heaven(-s). See also: Genesis 1:1; 1 Samuel 2:10; Job 28:21.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
זֹ֑את
zôʼth
H2063
"this"
Pron
This Hebrew word means this or that, often used to point out something specific. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: 1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, such 1a) (alone) 1a1) this one 1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another 1b) (appos to subst) 1b1) this 1c) (as predicate) 1c1) this, such 1d) (enclitically) 1d1) then 1d2) who, whom 1d3) how now, what now 1d4) what now 1d5) wherefore now 1d6) behold here 1d7) just now 1d8) now, now already 1e) (poetry) 1e1) wherein, which, those who 1f) (with prefixes) 1f1) in this (place) here, then 1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter 1f3) thus and thus 1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus 1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side 1f6) on this account 1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how
Usage: Occurs in 570 OT verses. KJV: hereby (-in, -with), it, likewise, the one (other, same), she, so (much), such (deed), that, therefore, these, this (thing), thus. See also: Genesis 2:23; Numbers 7:88; Judges 1:27.
וְ/שַׂעֲר֛וּ
sâʻar
H8175
"to shudder"
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2mp
This Hebrew word means to be extremely afraid or to storm, implying a strong sense of fear or turmoil, as seen in its KJV translations. It can also mean to shiver or be tempestuous.
Definition: 1) to shudder, shiver, dread, bristle (with horror), be very afraid 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to bristle (with horror) 1a2) to dread
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: be (horribly) afraid, fear, hurl as a storm, be tempestuous, come like (take away as with) a whirlwind. See also: Deuteronomy 32:17; Jeremiah 2:12; Psalms 50:3.
חָרְב֥וּ
chârab
H2717
"to dry"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
To slay or destroy is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can also mean to dry up or desolate something. It is used to describe fighting, attacking, or laying waste.
Definition: 1) to be dry, be dried up 1a) (Qal) to be dried, be dried up 1b) (Pual) to be dried 1c) (Hiphil) to dry up 1d) (Hophal) to be dried up
Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: decay, (be) desolate, destroy(-er), (be) dry (up), slay, [idiom] surely, (lay, lie, make) waste. See also: Genesis 8:13; Isaiah 50:2; Psalms 106:9.
מְאֹ֖ד
mᵉʼôd
H3966
"much"
Adv
Meod means 'much' or 'very' and is used to emphasize something. It can mean 'exceedingly' or 'greatly' and is often used to show strong feelings or actions.
Definition: adv 1) exceedingly, much subst 2) might, force, abundance n m 3) muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly 3a) force, might 3b) exceedingly, greatly, very (idioms showing magnitude or degree) 3b1) exceedingly 3b2) up to abundance, to a great degree, exceedingly 3b3) with muchness, muchness
Usage: Occurs in 278 OT verses. KJV: diligently, especially, exceeding(-ly), far, fast, good, great(-ly), [idiom] louder and louder, might(-ily, -y), (so) much, quickly, (so) sore, utterly, very ([phrase] much, sore), well. See also: Genesis 1:31; 1 Samuel 11:6; Psalms 6:4.
נְאֻם
nᵉʼum
H5002
"utterance"
N-ms
This word refers to an utterance or declaration from God, often through a prophet. It is used in the Bible to describe a revelation or message from God, like in Exodus or Numbers.
Definition: 1) (Qal) utterance, declaration (of prophet) 1a) utterance, declaration, revelation (of prophet in ecstatic state) 1b) utterance, declaration (elsewhere always preceding divine name)
Usage: Occurs in 358 OT verses. KJV: (hath) said, saith. See also: Genesis 22:16; Jeremiah 22:16; Psalms 36:2.
יְהוָֽה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
Study Notes — Jeremiah 2:12
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Jeremiah 2:12 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 2:12
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 2:12
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:12
- Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:12
- Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:12
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:12
- Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 2:12
- Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 2:12
- Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:12
- Sermons on Jeremiah 2:12
Context — Israel Has Forsaken God
10Cross over to the coasts of Cyprus and take a look; send to Kedar and consider carefully; see if there has ever been anything like this:
11Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But My people have exchanged their Glory for useless idols.
12Be stunned by this, O heavens; be shocked and utterly appalled,” declares the LORD.
13“For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns— broken cisterns that cannot hold water. 14Is Israel a slave? Was he born into slavery? Why then has he become prey?Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 1:2 | Listen, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the LORD has spoken: “I have raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against Me. |
| 2 | Jeremiah 22:29 | O land, land, land, hear the word of the LORD! |
| 3 | Jeremiah 6:19 | Hear, O earth! I am bringing disaster on this people, the fruit of their own schemes, because they have paid no attention to My word and have rejected My instruction. |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 32:1 | Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. |
| 5 | Micah 6:2 | Hear, O mountains, the LORD’s indictment, you enduring foundations of the earth. For the LORD has a case against His people, and He will argue it against Israel: |
| 6 | Matthew 27:45 | From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. |
| 7 | Matthew 27:50–53 | When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He yielded up His spirit. At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split. The tombs broke open, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. After Jesus’ resurrection, when they had come out of the tombs, they entered the holy city and appeared to many people. |
Jeremiah 2:12 Summary
[Jeremiah 2:12 is a call to be shocked and appalled by the sin of God's people, who have exchanged their Glory for useless idols. This verse shows how serious God is about our loyalty and faithfulness to Him, and how He expects us to worship Him alone, as commanded in Exodus 20:3-5. When we put other things in the place of God, it's like committing adultery, as seen in Hosea 1:2, and it grieves God's heart. We should reflect on our own lives and see if there are any 'idols' that we are putting in God's place, and repent, turning back to Him as our one true Glory.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is God calling the heavens to be stunned and shocked in Jeremiah 2:12?
God is calling the heavens to be stunned and shocked because of the profound wickedness of His people, who have exchanged their Glory for useless idols, as stated in Jeremiah 2:11, a act that is also condemned in Deuteronomy 32:15-18.
What is the significance of the heavens being appalled in this verse?
The heavens being appalled signifies the extreme gravity of the sin of God's people, highlighting that even the heavenly realm is shocked by their actions, much like the response to the wickedness in Sodom and Gomorrah, as seen in Genesis 18:20-21 and Ezekiel 16:49-50.
How does this verse relate to God's character?
This verse showcases God's righteous anger and sorrow over the rebellion of His people, demonstrating His holiness and justice, as also seen in Isaiah 1:2-4 and Hosea 11:1-4.
What does this verse imply about God's expectations for His people?
It implies that God expects His people to remain faithful and loyal to Him, not exchanging their Glory for idols, as this is a fundamental aspect of their covenant relationship, emphasized in Exodus 20:3-5 and Deuteronomy 6:14-15.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I may be exchanging God's Glory for useless idols in my own life, and how can I repent and return to Him?
- How can I cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and awe for God's holiness, as seen in His response to the sins of His people in Jeremiah 2:12?
- In what ways can I be a faithful witness to God's Glory in a world that often seeks to exchange it for idols, and what does this mean for my daily life and interactions?
- What are some practical steps I can take to ensure that I am not contributing to the stunning and shocking wickedness that grieves God's heart, as described in Jeremiah 2:12?
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 2:12
Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this,.... Meaning either the angels in heaven, or the heavens themselves, by a personification: and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the Lord; all which
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 2:12
Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD. Be astonished, O ye heavens - impassioned personification (Isaiah 1:2).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:12
Be astonished, O ye heavens; angels, say some, but rather the visible heavenly bodies; a pathetical expression in a poetical prosopopoeia, as 32:1, intimating that it is such a tiring that the very inanimate creatures, could they be sensible of it, would be astonished. Be horribly afraid; the Hebrew imports as much as, let your hair be lifted up; such a fright, as we usually say, makes our hair stand on end; such a trembling as some dreadful tempest doth sometimes cause in a man. Be ye very desolate; lose your brightness, lustre, and shining, as the sun, that heavenly body, seemed to do when Christ suffered, ; or melting, the heinousness of such a thing, as it were, dissolving them.
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:12
Jeremiah 2:12 Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD.Ver. 12. Be astonished, O heavens!] A poetic and pathetic expression. Compare Deuteronomy 32:1 Isaiah 1:2. Be horribly afraid.] Horripilamini portento malitiae, quod iam dicturus sum; be aghast at such a prodigious wickedness. Be very desolate.] As the sun seemed to be, when at the death of Christ he hid his head in a mantle of black, which made, they say, the heathen astrologer break out into these words, Either the God of nature suffereth, or else the world is at an end. Dionys.
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:12
(12) Be astonished, O ye heavens.—The adjuration had been made familiar by a like utterance in Isaiah 1:2; Deut. 32 1 “Astonished”—in the old sense, “thunder-stricken,” stupefied. The whole universe is thought of as shocked and startled at the offence against its Creator.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:12
Verse 12. Be astonished, O ye heavens] Or, the heavens are astonished. The original will admit either sense. The conduct of this people was so altogether bad, that among all the iniquities of mankind, neither heaven nor earth had witnessed any thing so excessively sinful and profligate.
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 2:12
12. be ye very desolate] lit. be ye dry. The heavens are bid to shrivel up in horror at the behaviour of the people. By a figure common in all poetry nature is called upon to adapt herself, as though a living being, to the complexion of human affairs. By a slight alteration of MT., however, we get (instead of “be ye very desolate”) the rendering of LXX, viz. exceedingly, as an epithet of the preceding verb. Render therefore, Shudder exceedingly. Cp. Psalms 50:4; Psalms 50:6; Isaiah 44:23; Isaiah 49:13.
Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 2:12
Be astonished - The King James Version uses this word as equivalent “to be stupefied.” Desolate - Or, “be dry.” In horror at Israel’s conduct the heavens shrivel and dry up.
Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:12
12. Be astonished, O ye heavens — Still further to suggest that which is essentially unspeakable, the prophet employs an apostrophe. He calls upon the “heavens” to “be astonished” at the fearfulness of this crime.
Sermons on Jeremiah 2:12
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Desiring God - Lesson 3 by John Piper | In this sermon, Pastor John Piper discusses the concept of Christian hedonism, which is the belief that our highest duty is to pursue delight in God. He argues that there are bibli |
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With or Without God by Matthew Little | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the devotion and departure of Israel. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a genuine and passionate relationship with God, rather tha |
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"He Could There Do No Mighty work."- Mar 6:5 by G. Campbell Morgan | G. Campbell Morgan explores the profound implications of Jesus' second visit to Nazareth, where He could perform no mighty works due to the people's unbelief. He examines the reaso |
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Repentance Prophetic Word by John Mulinde | This sermon emphasizes the importance of surrendering to God completely, highlighting the need to abandon human ways and embrace the life and power that comes from Christ. It recou |
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The Anatomy of Adultery by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of taking action and living a holy life. He urges the audience to not just go through the motions of attending church, but to |
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Where Does It Lie by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the speaker uses a metaphor of a ship carrying valuable cargo to illustrate the dangers of being led astray by false teachings and sinful behaviors. He emphasizes t |
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Preaching - a Sacred Responsibility - Part 2 by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker describes his experience of being called to speak to a happy congregation. However, he is faced with a choice - to speak based on the reality that the p |