And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, The LORD liveth; as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built in the midst of my people.

JEREMIAH 12:16KJV
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Jeremiah 12:16 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 12:16 mean?

Jeremiah 12:16 says that the Lord offers Judah’s neighboring peoples a place among his people if they genuinely learn their ways and swear by his name. The offer is striking because those neighbors had previously taught God’s people to swear by Baal.

The Lord is speaking about the neighbors mentioned in the preceding verses. To swear “The LORD liveth” means to make an oath by the living Lord. The phrase “built in the midst of my people” pictures the neighbors becoming established within the community rather than remaining outsiders.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 12:16

  • “diligently learn” — לָמַד (lamad): This word means to learn. Its repeated form gives force to the phrase, suggesting careful or thorough learning.
  • “built” — בָּנָה (banah): This word means to build. Here it presents a people becoming established through the image of building.
  • “LORD” — יְהוָה (YHWH): This is God’s personal name in the Hebrew text. The KJV presents the name as “LORD,” distinguishing the oath from one made by Baal.

Why Jeremiah 12:16 matters

  • The verse addresses people beyond Judah. The “evil neighbours” named in verse 14 are the people who receive this conditional offer.
  • The verse highlights a reversal in what the neighbors teach and learn. They had taught God’s people to swear by Baal, but now they are called to learn the ways of God’s people.
  • The promise is conditional within the passage. Verse 17 contrasts being built up with being uprooted and destroyed if a nation refuses to listen.

Where else these words appear

“Baal” Hebrew H1168 · used in 68 verses

  • Judges 2:11 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:
  • 1 Kings 19:18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.
  • 2 Chronicles 17:3 And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;

“diligently” Hebrew H3925 · used in 80 verses

  • Deuteronomy 4:1 Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.
  • Psalms 25:4 Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.
  • Proverbs 5:13 And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!