Jeremiah 11:22 meaning

In this passage, the prophet Jeremiah faces fierce hostility from his own hometown, Anathoth, where men conspire to silence him under God's name. Jeremiah warns of dire consequences for their actions, emphasizing that divine judgment is imminent. The Lord declares a harsh punishment: male youths will perish in conflict, while others will succumb to famine. This pronouncement reflects both a deep-seated cultural belief in corporate solidarity, where the sins of a group could result in shared punishment, and a direct response to the hostility faced by Jeremiah, who embodied God's message.

Consequently, the fate of Anathoth stands as a grim reminder of the consequences of rejecting divine authority. The prophecy illustrates not just God’s justice but His commitment to safeguarding His messengers. The ultimate intent is that there will be no remnant left to perpetuate the memory of those who sought Jeremiah’s demise, effectively severing their legacy as punishment for their transgressions against God's commands （Jeremiah 11:22). Thus, this passage underscores God's sovereignty and the seriousness of disobedience.