and none of them shall be left. For I will bring disaster upon the men of Anathoth, the year of their punishment.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jeremiah 11:23
What does Jeremiah 11:23 mean?
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Jeremiah 11:23
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This verse isn't just about punishment; it highlights the terrifying certainty that God's justice arrives at a specific, determined time. While some biblical passages promise a remnant of survivors, the Lord declares that for these men of Anathoth who plotted against Jeremiah, there will be no remnant, signifying complete desolation in the appointed year of judgment.
and none of them shall be left. For I will bring disaster upon the men of Anathoth, the year of their punishment.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jeremiah, having been threatened by the men of his own hometown, Anathoth, cries out to God and is shown their evil plots. God declares that He will bring disaster upon these conspirators, ensuring none will escape His judgment in the appointed time of their punishment. This divine retribution will be so complete that no remnant of them will remain to carry on their wicked schemes.
Have you ever felt unfairly targeted or threatened for standing up for what's right? Jeremiah certainly did. This verse reveals God's response to those who plotted against His messenger.
Jeremiah faced severe opposition, even from his own hometown of Anathoth. They plotted to destroy him, to silence God's word through him. But God reveals to Jeremiah that this violence would not go unanswered.
A Measured Response
God declares that He will bring 'evil' and disaster upon the men of Anathoth. This isn't random vengeance, but a righteous judgment. Just as they sought to cut off Jeremiah, God promises that 'none of them shall be left.' This echoes the principle of 'a life for a life' – their wicked intentions against the prophet would be mirrored in their own destruction.
Protection for the Prophet
While God's judgment is severe, it also underscores His protection over His servants. He knows the hearts and plans of those who oppose His will, and He will ultimately vindicate His prophets and His message.
The phrase 'the year of their visitation' sounds ominous. What does it truly mean when God 'visits' His people, especially in judgment?
The 'year of their visitation' is a crucial concept in understanding God's timing and purpose in judgment. It's not a surprise attack, but a divinely appointed time.
A Predetermined Time
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This phrase signifies a specific, appointed time when God will deal with sin and its consequences. It's the moment when His patience runs out, and His justice is enacted. The commentators note that this 'visitation' is when God 'visits their iniquities upon them.' It's a predetermined moment of reckoning.
Near and Devastating
For the men of Anathoth, this visitation was directly tied to the destruction of Jerusalem. Because Anathoth was a town near the capital, it would suffer the full brunt of the invading army. The 'visitation' meant the terror, devastation, and deportation associated with the siege and fall of Jerusalem.
When the Bible speaks of 'no remnant,' what does that imply about the severity of God's judgment? And how does it relate to specific historical events?
The declaration 'none of them shall be left' speaks to the totality of the judgment intended for the wicked men of Anathoth who plotted against Jeremiah.
Beyond Simple Exile
While history records that a number of men from Anathoth returned from Babylonian exile (Ezra 2:23; Nehemiah 7:27), Jeremiah's prophecy here is more specific. It's not necessarily about every single person from the town being obliterated from existence, but about the complete downfall and lack of surviving opposition from those who actively sought the prophet's life and plotted against God's word.
Exclusion from Hope
This phrase starkly contrasts with prophecies of a 'remnant' that would return and be saved (a common theme in Isaiah, for instance). The conspirators of Anathoth were deliberately excluded from any hope of restoration or future blessing. Their actions placed them outside the scope of God's mercy and promised deliverance, sealing their fate to experience the full measure of divine wrath.
Understand the original words
ra'ah · Hebrew Noun
Calamity or adversity, often occurring as a consequence of divine judgment for sin. It refers to a state of ruin or severe affliction brought upon a people or nation.
Jeremiah's strong words against Anathoth highlight that while God's judgment often allows for a remnant, specific conspiracies against His prophets and persistent rebellion would exclude individuals from that mercy, resulting in complete destruction for the plotters.
Late 8th century BC
Isaiah's Prophecies
The prophet Isaiah foretold a future judgment upon Judah, but also a hopeful 'remnant' who would return from exile. This concept of a remnant was a recurring theme in Hebrew prophecy.
c. 609-597 BC
Jeremiah's Early Ministry and Opposition
Jeremiah prophesied during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, facing increasing opposition. The people of his hometown, Anathoth, plotted to kill him, as detailed in Jeremiah 11.
597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon exiled King Jehoiachin and many prominent citizens of Judah to Babylon. This was a significant blow to the nation's leadership and hope.
588-587 BC— this verse
Siege and Fall of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem. The surrounding towns, including Anathoth due to its proximity, suffered immensely during this devastating conflict.
c. 587 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonians breached Jerusalem's walls, destroyed the city and the Temple, and carried off most of the remaining population into exile. This event marked the climax of God's judgment on Judah.
c. 538 BC
Return from Babylonian Exile
Cyrus the Great of Persia allowed the exiled Judeans to return to their homeland. Historical records later show that 128 men from Anathoth returned, indicating that a remnant from the town did survive the destruction.
This passage speaks of a 'remnant' returning, a concept that Jeremiah contrasts with the complete destruction awaiting the men of Anathoth who plotted against him.
Jeremiah 52:12This verse describes the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, the 'year of visitation' that would bring disaster upon Anathoth due to its proximity and the people's actions.
Ezekiel 14:22This passage shares the theme of God bringing judgment, including sword, famine, and pestilence, upon a rebellious people, mirroring the fate of Anathoth.
Luke 19:44Jesus laments over Jerusalem, stating they will be overthrown and their 'days of visitation' will be their ruin, echoing the sense of a divinely appointed time of judgment found in Jeremiah.
barnesJeremiah 11:23: "And there shall be no remnant of them: for I will bring evil upon the men of Anathoth, even the year of their visitation."
No remnant - 128 men of Anathoth returned from exile Ezra 2:23 ; Nehemiah 7:27 . Jeremiah's denunciation was limited to those who had sought his life. The year of their visitation would be the year of the siege of Jerusalem, when Anathoth being in its immediate vicinity would have its share of the horrors of war.
cambridgeJeremiah 11:23: "And there shall be no remnant of them: for I will bring evil upon the men of Anathoth, even the year of their visitation."
23 . even the year ] or, as mg. in the year .
This verse isn't just about punishment; it highlights the terrifying certainty that God's justice arrives at a specific, determined time. While some biblical passages promise a remnant of survivors, the Lord declares that for these men of Anathoth who plotted against Jeremiah, there will be no remnant, signifying complete desolation in the appointed year of judgment.
Jeremiah, having been threatened by the men of his own hometown, Anathoth, cries out to God and is shown their evil plots. God declares that He will bring disaster upon these conspirators, ensuring none will escape His judgment in the appointed time of their punishment. This divine retribution will be so complete that no remnant of them will remain to carry on their wicked schemes.
Jeremiah, having been threatened by the men of his own hometown, Anathoth, cries out to God and is shown their evil plots. God declares that He will bring disaster upon these conspirators, ensuring none will escape His judgment in the appointed time of their punishment. This divine retribution will be so complete that no remnant of them will remain to carry on their wicked schemes.
"and none of them shall be left. For I will bring disaster upon the men of Anathoth, the year of their punishment.”" — This verse isn't just about punishment; it highlights the terrifying certainty that God's justice arrives at a specific, determined time. While some biblical passages promise a remnant of survivors,…
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Last reviewed October 2026