For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have dealt treacherously with thee; yea, they have called a multitude after thee: believe them not, though they speak fair words unto thee.

JEREMIAH 12:6KJV
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Jeremiah 12:6 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 12:6 mean?

Jeremiah 12:6 warns that even Jeremiah’s own family and relatives have betrayed him, gathering others against him and pretending to be friendly while actually plotting harm. The verse urges Jeremiah not to trust their kind words, because their actions show they are not sincere.

In this verse, God is speaking to the prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah has been facing opposition and hostility, and here God reveals that the betrayal comes not just from strangers, but from Jeremiah’s own “brethren” and “the house of thy father”—his closest family. The warning highlights how deep the rejection goes, showing Jeremiah that even those he should be able to trust are acting “treacherously” toward him, and their pleasant words are not to be believed.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 12:6

  • בגד (bagad; H898) — "treacherously": This word often means to act deceitfully or betray trust. Here, it emphasizes the depth of the betrayal Jeremiah experiences, not just casual opposition but a personal, faithless turning against him.
  • קרא (qara; H7121) — "called": This verb can mean to summon or call out. In this context, it suggests that Jeremiah’s family has actively called a group or “multitude” against him, not just passively allowing harm but taking steps to stir up opposition.
  • מלא (male; H4392) — "multitude": This word usually means “fullness” or “abundance.” Here, it is often understood as a crowd or group, showing that the betrayal is not isolated but involves many people.
  • אמן (’aman; H539) — "believe": This verb means to trust or rely on. God’s warning is not just about being cautious, but about not placing any trust in the outward friendliness of those who have already shown themselves untrustworthy.

Why Jeremiah 12:6 matters

  • Jeremiah 12:6 makes clear that Jeremiah’s suffering is not just from outsiders or enemies, but from those closest to him, intensifying the sense of isolation and betrayal.
  • The verse highlights that outward appearances and kind words can hide real hostility, urging careful discernment rather than naïve trust.
  • This warning connects to the wider passage, where Jeremiah is wrestling with the injustice he sees and the personal cost of his prophetic calling, showing that faithfulness to God may lead to rejection even by family.

Where else these words appear

“treacherously” Hebrew H898 · used in 39 verses

  • Exodus 21:8 If she please not her master, who hath betrothed her to himself, then shall he let her be redeemed: to sell her unto a strange nation he shall have no power, seeing he hath dealt deceitfully with her.
  • Proverbs 13:2 A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.
  • Jeremiah 5:11 For the house of Israel and the house of Judah have dealt very treacherously against me, saith the LORD.

“multitude” Hebrew H4392 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 23:9 That he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he hath, which is in the end of his field; for as much money as it is worth he shall give it me for a possession of a buryingplace amongst you.
  • Numbers 7:67 His offering was one silver charger, the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:
  • Proverbs 17:1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

“believe” Hebrew H539 · used in 102 verses

  • Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
  • 2 Kings 10:5 And he that was over the house, and he that was over the city, the elders also, and the bringers up of the children, sent to Jehu, saying, We are thy servants, and will do all that thou shalt bid us; we will not make any king: do thou that which is good in thine eyes.
  • Psalms 106:12 Then believed they his words; they sang his praise.