Jeremiah 12:9

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jeremiah 12:8-9

Jeremiah 12:8-9. My heritage is unto me as a lion in the forest Those that were my lambs and sheep, following me, their chief shepherd, and the guidance of those prophets and pastors whom I set over them, are become like lions in the forest roaring against me, and rending and tearing the prophets whom I send unto them, and who speak to them in my name. It My heritage; crieth out against me They blaspheme my name, oppose my authority, and bid defiance to my justice. Therefore have I... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 12:1-17

Jeremiah’s complaint; God’s answer (12:1-17)As he thinks back on the treachery of the people of Anathoth, Jeremiah is prompted to complain to God. Innocent people suffer, whereas wicked people live at ease. Why is it, he asks, that God allows the wicked to prosper? God gives them life and food, and they grow fat and prosperous, though their hearts are far from God (12:1-2). Jeremiah, by contrast, remains true to God, yet he suffers. Indeed, the whole land suffers because of the sins of people... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Jeremiah 12:9

speckled bird = a bird of prey. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Jeremiah 12:9

Jeremiah 12:9. Mine heritage, &c.— Bochart and the LXX. read Mine heritage is unto me as the ravenous hyena; the ravenous beasts are round about it. The context seems indisputably to prove the propriety of this interpretation עוט aiit, unquestionably signifies a wild beast, as well as a rapacious bird. See Parkhurst on the word. In this view the meaning of the prophet is, "Wherefore do the Jews, whom I have adopted for my sons, and chosen for my heritage, roar, rage, and clamour against me?... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 12:9

9. speckled bird—Many translate, "a ravenous beast, the hyena"; the corresponding Arabic word means hyena; so the Septuagint. But the Hebrew always elsewhere means "a bird of prey." The Hebrew for "speckled" is from a root "to color"; answering to the Jewish blending together with paganism the altogether diverse Mosaic ritual. The neighboring nations, birds of prey like herself (for she had sinfully assimilated herself to them), were ready to pounce upon her. assemble . . . beasts of . . .... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Jeremiah 12:7-13

A lament about Yahweh’s ravaged inheritance 12:7-13Many scholars believe this lament dates from the time when Jehoiakim revolted against Babylon after three years of submission (about 602 B.C.; cf. 2 Kings 24:1-2). [Note: Feinberg, p. 459.] "The second part of God’s reply is remarkable, saying in effect, ’Your tragedy is a miniature of mine.’" [Note: Kidner, p. 61.] read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Jeremiah 12:9

Judah was like a different, colorful bird, among birds of prey that had gathered all around her to attack her. Another translation possibility, represented by the Septuagint, is that Jeremiah described Judah as a hyena’s lair, surrounded by birds of prey ready to peck up the scraps that the hyenas left. The Lord instructed His servants (the angels?) to assemble all the wild animals that surrounded Judah to come and devour this bird. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 12:1-17

1-4. The prosperity of the wicked perplexes Jeremiah.1. Wherefore, etc.] The question was one which much exercised men of pre-Christian times who had no clear view of any but temporal rewards and punishments. See Psalms 37, 39, 49, 73, and Job (specially Jeremiah 21:7) The plots of his fellow-townsmen at Anathoth (see Jeremiah 11) were probably the occasion of this outburst of Jeremiah’s. 2. Near in their mouth, etc.] They honour God with their lips but their heart is far from Him. 4. A drought... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Jeremiah 12:9

(9) Mine heritage is unto me as a speckled bird.—The Hebrew is interrogative, Is mine heritage . . .? Are the birds come round about against her? The word for “bird” in both cases means a “bird of prey” (Isaiah 46:11; Genesis 15:11), and the “speckled bird” is probably, but not certainly, some less common species of vulture. The image was probably suggested by something the prophet had observed, birds of prey of one species collecting and attacking a solitary stranger of another, joined by the... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Jeremiah 12:1-17

Trivial Trouble Jeremiah 12:5 The proof that so many of us have little real trouble is found in the fact that we so piercingly bewail trifling losses and pains; were the distresses more acute, we should say less about them. I. The habit of pampering ourselves shows how far we have lost sight of the seriousness of life. The sacramental host of God has ever been prepared to accept great losses and sufferings for the high rewards it contemplates. 'The noble army of martyrs' is the glory of God's... read more

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