Jeremiah 12:6
For even your brothers and the house of your father, even they have dealt treacherously with you; they are in full cry after you; do not believe them, though they speak friendly words to you.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What's easy to miss is the raw intensity of the betrayal Jeremiah faced: his own family and town didn't just disagree with him, they "called a multitude after" him, like a public outcry or a hue and cry raised against a criminal. This wasn't quiet opposition; it was a hostile mob, so don't be fooled when they try to sweet-talk you – their true intentions are clear.
Jeremiah is lamenting the injustice he sees in the world, questioning why the wicked prosper, when God reminds him that even his own family and hometown people have turned against him with open hostility. This betrayal, far from his home in Anathoth, is so severe that he's warned not to trust their seemingly kind words, as they are actively working to harm him.
Jeremiah's own family and hometown turned against him. Imagine the deep sting of betrayal, not from strangers, but from those who knew him best.
The Pain of Internal Treachery
This verse hits hard because it describes a betrayal that cuts to the bone. Jeremiah isn't just facing general opposition; his own brothers and his father's household are part of the conspiracy. This highlights a profound truth: sometimes the deepest wounds come from those closest to us. The men of Anathoth, Jeremiah's own town, who were priests like him, were actively plotting against him.
This wasn't a distant threat; it was personal. They were not just passively against him but actively hostile, 'in full cry after you.' This phrase suggests a relentless pursuit, a public shaming, or a concerted effort to hunt him down. It's the kind of opposition that makes you question everything and everyone around you.
They 'speak friendly words,' but their hearts are set on your downfall. How do you discern true intentions when deception is cloaked in politeness?
The Danger of Deceptive Words
The verse doesn't just stop at the betrayal; it offers crucial advice for dealing with it. God warns Jeremiah, 'do not believe them, though they speak friendly words to you.' This points to the insidious nature of deception. The enemies weren't just openly hostile; some likely masked their malice with pleasantries and feigned concern.
This is a stark warning against superficial trust. Jeremiah is being told not to be swayed by outward appearances or smooth talk. The underlying hostility is real, and any trust placed in these seemingly kind words would be misplaced and dangerous. It's a call to discernment, to look beyond the surface and recognize that not all friendly words come from a friendly heart.
Understand the original words
bagad · Hebrew Verb
The Hebrew concept of acting faithlessly, deceitfully, or breaking a covenantal or relational trust, often used regarding Israel's unfaithfulness to God.
Jeremiah's own family and community from his hometown of Anathoth turned against him, echoing a familiar pattern of prophets rejected in their own land. This betrayal, highlighted in this verse, underscores the profound isolation and personal danger he faced as he delivered God's message of judgment.
c. 626 BC
Jeremiah's Call to Prophecy
Jeremiah is called by God to be a prophet to Judah, a difficult task given the nation's spiritual decline and impending judgment. He begins his ministry during the reign of King Josiah.
c. 612 BC
Fall of Nineveh
The Assyrian capital of Nineveh falls to the Babylonians and Medes. This event signals the decline of Assyrian power and the rise of Babylon, intensifying the geopolitical pressure on Judah.
c. 609 BC
Death of Josiah
King Josiah, a reformer, is killed in battle at Megiddo while trying to stop the Egyptian Pharaoh Necho's advance. His death plunges Judah into political instability and spiritual confusion.
c. 609-597 BC
Jeremiah's Ministry Amidst Unrest
Jeremiah prophesies during the reigns of Josiah's successors, facing increasing opposition. His warnings about impending Babylonian judgment are largely ignored by rulers and people alike.
This passage echoes the painful reality of betrayal by one's own household, highlighting a recurring theme of rejection faced by God's messengers.
Luke 12:52-53Jesus quotes a proverb that reflects Jeremiah's experience, showing that division, even within families, would be a sign of the times, validating Jeremiah's personal suffering.
John 7:5This verse explicitly states that even Jesus' brothers did not believe in him, drawing a direct parallel to Jeremiah's rejection by his own family and solidifying the prophetic pattern.
Psalm 41:9This psalm describes betrayal by a close friend, a concept intensified in Jeremiah 12:6 to include even one's own family, showing the depth of treachery the prophet faced.
Mark 3:21This passage mentions Jesus' family trying to restrain him, suggesting they thought he was out of his mind; this mirrors the disbelief and opposition Jeremiah faced from those closest to him.
barnesJeremiah 12:6: "For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have dealt treacherously with thee; yea, they have called a multitude after thee: believe them not, though they speak fair words unto thee."
Called a multitude - Rather, "called aloud." Compare Jeremiah 4:5 . In all this Jeremiah was the type of Christ (compare Zechariah 13:6 ; Mark 3:21 ; John 7:5 ).
clarkeJeremiah 12:6: "For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have dealt treacherously with thee; yea, they have called a multitude after thee: believe them not, though they speak fair words unto thee."
For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father - Thou hast none to depend on but God: even thy brethren will betray thee when they have it in their power. Believe them not - Do not trust to them, do not commit thyself to them; they are in heart thy enemies, and will betray th…
What's easy to miss is the raw intensity of the betrayal Jeremiah faced: his own family and town didn't just disagree with him, they "called a multitude after" him, like a public outcry or a hue and cry raised against a criminal. This wasn't quiet opposition; it was a hostile mob, so don't be fooled when they try to sweet-talk you – their true intentions are clear.
Jeremiah is lamenting the injustice he sees in the world, questioning why the wicked prosper, when God reminds him that even his own family and hometown people have turned against him with open hostility. This betrayal, far from his home in Anathoth, is so severe that he's warned not to trust their seemingly kind words, as they are actively working to harm him.
Jeremiah is lamenting the injustice he sees in the world, questioning why the wicked prosper, when God reminds him that even his own family and hometown people have turned against him with open hostility. This betrayal, far from his home in Anathoth, is so severe that he's warned not to trust their seemingly kind words, as they are actively working to harm him.
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c. 597 BC— this verse
First Deportation to Babylon
Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar deports King Jehoiachin and many prominent citizens to Babylon. This marks a significant escalation of Judah's subjugation and Jeremiah's prophecies of exile gain urgency.
c. 587-586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Second Deportation
Jerusalem is besieged and destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, and the remaining population, including Jeremiah, is exiled. This is the culmination of the judgment Jeremiah had proclaimed.
"For even your brothers and the house of your father, even they have dealt treacherously with you; they are in full cry after you; do not believe them, though they speak friendly words to you.”" — What's easy to miss is the raw intensity of the betrayal Jeremiah faced: his own family and town didn't just disagree with him, they "called a multitude after" him, like a public outcry or a hue and…
