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 12:2KJV
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Jeremiah 12:2 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 12:2 mean?

Jeremiah 12:2 describes people who seem to be thriving outwardly—they are planted, have taken root, are growing, and producing fruit—but their devotion to God is only on the surface. Although they speak as if God is close to them, their hearts are actually far from Him.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking to God about people in Judah who appear successful and religious, but whose true loyalty is lacking. Jeremiah points out the contrast between their outward prosperity and their inward distance from God, highlighting the difference between external appearance and genuine faithfulness.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 12:2

  • "Planted" (נָטַע, nata‘): This word means to set or plant, often used for trees or crops. Here it suggests that these people have been given a place to grow and flourish, possibly even by God Himself.
  • "Root" (שָׁרֶשׁ, shoresh): Taking root means becoming established and secure. The verse emphasizes that these people are not just present—they are firmly settled.
  • "Near" (קָרוֹב, qarov) and "from" (רָחוֹק, rachoq): The contrast between being "near" in their mouth and "far" from their "reins" (the inner self or heart) is sharp. It shows that their words do not match their true inner condition.
  • "Reins" (כִּלְיָה, kilyah): This word refers to the inner organs, often used in Hebrew poetry to mean the deepest feelings or the heart. The verse uses it to highlight the gap between what they say and what they truly feel.

Why Jeremiah 12:2 matters

  • Jeremiah 12:2 clears up the misconception that outward success or religious language always means true faithfulness to God; it warns that appearances can be deceiving.
  • The verse emphasizes God’s awareness of the heart, not just external actions or words, which is a theme repeated throughout Jeremiah.
  • Understanding this verse helps make sense of Jeremiah’s complaint in the wider passage: he is troubled by the prosperity of those who seem unfaithful, and he brings this concern honestly before God.

Where else these words appear

“root” Hebrew H8327 · used in 8 verses

  • Job 5:3 I have seen the foolish taking root: but suddenly I cursed his habitation.
  • Job 31:12 For it is a fire that consumeth to destruction, and would root out all mine increase.
  • Psalms 80:9 Thou preparedst room before it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land.

“reins” Hebrew H3629 · used in 26 verses

  • Exodus 29:13 And thou shalt take all the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul that is above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and burn them upon the altar.
  • Leviticus 8:25 And he took the fat, and the rump, and all the fat that was upon the inwards, and the caul above the liver, and the two kidneys, and their fat, and the right shoulder:
  • Psalms 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.

“planted” Hebrew H5193 · used in 55 verses

  • Genesis 2:8 And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.
  • Psalms 94:9 He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?
  • Jeremiah 11:17 For the LORD of hosts, that planted thee, hath pronounced evil against thee, for the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done against themselves to provoke me to anger in offering incense unto Baal.

“near” Hebrew H7138 · used in 76 verses

  • Genesis 19:20 Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither,( is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.
  • 1 Kings 21:2 And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money.
  • Isaiah 51:5 My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.