What does Jeremiah 12:2 mean?
"Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins." - Jeremiah 12:2

Jeremiah 12:2 from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible states, "Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins." This verse comes from the book of Jeremiah in the Old Testament and is part of a passage in which the prophet Jeremiah is lamenting the prosperity of the wicked and the injustice and suffering he sees around him.
The passage in which this verse appears begins with Jeremiah's complaint to God about the prosperity of the wicked. He questions why they seem to be flourishing, despite their wickedness and lack of faith in God. In this verse, Jeremiah is expressing his frustration and confusion at the seeming success and growth of the wicked, despite their lack of righteousness.
The verse begins with the image of planting and growth, as Jeremiah describes how the wicked have been planted and have taken root. This imagery conveys the idea of deliberate cultivation and the establishment of the wicked in their prosperity. Despite their wickedness, they have grown and brought forth fruit, meaning they have been successful and prosperous in their pursuits.
The following phrase, "thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins," is a contrast between appearance and reality. On the surface, it may appear that the wicked acknowledge and are close to God, as indicated by the mention of God being near in their mouth. However, in reality, their hearts are far from God, as indicated by the mention of God being far from their reins, which symbolizes their innermost thoughts and desires.
One of the key themes in this verse is the contrast between appearance and reality, as well as the frustration and lament of the prophet in the face of the prosperity of the wicked. Throughout the book of Jeremiah, there is a consistent theme of the prophet's struggle with the apparent success of the wicked and the suffering of the righteous. This verse reflects this theme and highlights Jeremiah's anguish over the seeming injustice of the world.
Another theme present in this verse is the idea of faith and sincerity. The contrast between the nearness of God in the mouth and the distance in the reins reflects the tension between outward expression of faith and inward sincerity. The wicked may speak of God and appear to be close to Him, but their hearts are far from Him. This serves as a cautionary reminder about the importance of genuine faith and sincerity in one's relationship with God.
In terms of context, this verse occurs within the broader context of a passage in which Jeremiah is expressing his lament and frustration over the prosperity of the wicked. This sentiment is part of a larger theme in the book of Jeremiah, where the prophet grapples with the moral and spiritual condition of his people and the apparent success of the wicked.
In terms of symbolism, the imagery of planting, growth, and fruitfulness conveys the idea of deliberate cultivation and prosperity. The mention of God being near in their mouth and far from their reins symbolizes the contrast between outward appearance and inward reality. This symbolism serves to emphasize the themes of appearance versus reality, as well as the importance of genuine faith and sincerity.
In conclusion, Jeremiah 12:2 from the King James Version of the Bible conveys Jeremiah's lament and frustration over the prosperity of the wicked. It explores themes of appearance versus reality, faith, and sincerity, and is part of a broader context of the prophet's struggle with the moral and spiritual state of his people. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the tension between outward appearances and inner reality, and the importance of genuine faith and sincerity in one's relationship with God.
Have questions about Jeremiah 12:2?
Dive deeper into this scripture with Bible Chat — an AI-powered tool for exploring God's Word through conversation. Ask questions, get context, and grow in your understanding of the Bible.
Get Our Apps
Jeremiah 12:2 Artwork
Jeremiah 12:2 - "Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins."
"Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins." - Jeremiah 12:2
Jeremiah 2:12 - "Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD."
2 Chronicles 36:12 - "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the LORD."
Jeremiah 35:12 - "¶ Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying,"
Jeremiah 34:12 - "¶ Therefore the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,"
Jeremiah 28:12 - "Then the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the prophet, after that Hananiah the prophet had broken the yoke from off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, saying,"
Nehemiah 12:12 - "And in the days of Joiakim were priests, the chief of the fathers: of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah;"
Jeremiah 37:12 - "Then Jeremiah went forth out of Jerusalem to go into the land of Benjamin, to separate himself thence in the midst of the people."
"Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD." - Jeremiah 2:12
Jeremiah 38:12 - "And Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said unto Jeremiah, Put now these old cast clouts and rotten rags under thine armholes under the cords. And Jeremiah did so."
Nehemiah 12:34 - "Judah, and Benjamin, and Shemaiah, and Jeremiah,"
"¶ Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying," - Jeremiah 35:12
1 Chronicles 12:10 - "Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth,"
1 Chronicles 12:13 - "Jeremiah the tenth, Machbanai the eleventh."
Jeremiah 15:12 - "Shall iron break the northern iron and the steel?"
"¶ Therefore the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying," - Jeremiah 34:12
Jeremiah 17:12 - "¶ A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary."
Jeremiah 26:12 - "¶ Then spake Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all the people, saying, The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard."
Jeremiah 30:12 - "For thus saith the LORD, Thy bruise is incurable, and thy wound is grievous."
Jeremiah 12:17 - "But if they will not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation, saith the LORD."
"Judah, and Benjamin, and Shemaiah, and Jeremiah," - Nehemiah 12:34
"And in the days of Joiakim were priests, the chief of the fathers: of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah;" - Nehemiah 12:12
Nehemiah 12:1 - "Now these are the priests and the Levites that went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,"
"Jeremiah the tenth, Machbanai the eleventh." - 1 Chronicles 12:13
"Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth," - 1 Chronicles 12:10
Jeremiah 25:2 - "The which Jeremiah the prophet spake unto all the people of Judah, and to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying,"
Jeremiah 3:2
Jeremiah 12:12 - "The spoilers are come upon all high places through the wilderness: for the sword of the LORD shall devour from the one end of the land even to the other end of the land: no flesh shall have peace."
Jeremiah 41:12 - "Then they took all the men, and went to fight with Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and found him by the great waters that are in Gibeon."