Jeremiah 11:19

Verse

For I was like a gentle lamb led to slaughter; I did not know that they had plotted against me: “Let us destroy the tree with its fruit; let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be remembered no more.”

American Standard Version (1901)

But I was like a gentle lamb that is led to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, saying, Let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered.

Bible in Basic English

But I was like a gentle lamb taken to be put to death; I had no thought that they were designing evil against me, saying, Come and let us make trouble his food, cutting him off from the land of the living, so that there may be no more memory of his name.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And I was as a meek lamb, that is carried to be a victim: and I knew not that they had devised counsels against me, saying: Let us put wood on his bread, and cut him off from the land of the living, and let his name be remembered no more.

Free Bible Version

I was like a trusting little lamb being led away to be slaughtered. I didn't know that they had been plotting against me. They said, “Let's destroy the tree along with everything it produces. Let's kill him so no one will even remember his name.”

Geneva Bible 1599

But I was like a lambe, or a bullocke, that is brought to the slaughter, and I knewe not that they had deuised thus against me, saying, Let vs destroy the tree with the fruite thereof, and cut him out of the lande of the liuing, that his name may be no more in memory.

King James (Authorized) Version

But I was like a lamb or an ox that is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, saying, Let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered.

Translation for Translators

Before he did that, I was like a lamb that was being led away to be slaughtered; I did not know what they were planning to do. I did not know that they were saying, “Let’s get rid of this tree and its fruit,” so I did not know that they intended to kill me, in order that no one would remember me [MTY].

Unlocked Literal Bible

I was like a gentle lamb being led to a butcher. I did not know that they had formed plans against me, “Let us destroy the tree with its fruit! Let us cut him off from the land of the living so his name will be no longer remembered.”

Noah Webster Bible

But I was like a lamb or an ox that is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, saying , Let us destroy the tree with its fruit, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered.

World English Bible

But I was like a gentle lamb that is led to the slaughter. I didn’t know that they had devised plans against me, saying, “Let’s destroy the tree with its fruit, and let’s cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered.”

Young's Literal Translation

And I [am] as a trained lamb brought to slaughter, And I have not known That against me they have devised devices: We destroy the tree with its food, and cut him off From the land of the living, And his name is not remembered again.

Context

A Plot against Jeremiah

¹⁸And the LORD informed me, so I knew. Then You showed me their deeds. ¹⁹For I was like a gentle lamb led to slaughter; I did not know that they had plotted against me: “Let us destroy the tree with its fruit; let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be remembered no more.”

Summary

Jeremiah 11:19 depicts the prophet's distress as he realizes that his own townspeople are plotting against him, seeking to kill him for delivering God's message of judgment and warning. This verse reveals the challenges and persecution faced by prophets who faithfully proclaim God's truth, often encountering opposition and hostility. Jeremiah's experience reflects the rejection and suffering that can come from faithfully following God's call, yet it also demonstrates the prophet's unwavering commitment to speak the word of the Lord despite the personal risks involved.

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

lamb--literally, a "pet lamb," such as the Jews often had in their houses, for their children to play with; and the Arabs still have (Sa2 12:3). His own familiar friends had plotted against the prophet. The language is exactly the same as that applied to Messiah (Isa 53:7). Each prophet and patriarch exemplified in his own person some one feature or more in the manifold attributes and sufferings of the Messiah to come; just as the saints have done since His coming (Gal 2:20; Phi 3:10; Col 1:24). This adapted both the more experimentally to testify of Christ. devices-- (Jer 18:18). tree with . . . fruit--literally, "in its fruit" or "food," that is, when it is in fruit. Proverbial, to express the destruction of cause and effect together. The man is the tree; his teaching, the fruit. Let us destroy the prophet and his prophecies; namely, those threatening destruction to the nation, which offended them. Compare Mat 7:17, which also refers to prophets and their doctrines.