Jeremiah 12:17

But if they will not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation, saith the LORD.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(17) I will utterly pluck up.—In this, as in the preceding verse, there is an obvious reference to the prophet’s calling as described in Jeremiah 1:10, the self-same word being used as that which is there rendered “root out.” The adverb “utterly” answers to the usual Hebrew reduplication of emphasis.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

12:14-17 The Lord would plead the cause of his people against their evil neighbours. Yet he would afterwards show mercy to those nations, when they should learn true religion. This seems to look forward to the times when the fulness of the Gentiles shall come in. Those who would have their lot with God's people, and a last end like theirs, must learn their ways, and walk in them.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The accomplishment of this blessing depends upon both Judah and the Gentiles reversing their past conduct. Then shall the believing Gentile be admitted within the fold of the true, because spiritual, Israel - Christ's Church.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

17. (Isa 60:12).

Matthew Poole's Commentary

But for those, whether they be Jews or Gentiles, that shall continue in their idolatrous and superstitious courses, that shall refuse the Messias, and continue in unbelief, and go on in courses of rebellion and disobedience, (saith God,) I will utterly destroy that people. Thus Isaiah 60:12, The nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

But if they will not obey,.... Or "hear" (k); the word of the Lord, and hearken to the ministers of the Gospel, and be subject to the ordinances of it; or as the Targum,

"will not receive instruction:''

I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation, saith the Lord: root it up from being a nation, strip it of all its privileges and enjoyments, and destroy it with an everlasting destruction; see Zechariah 14:16.

(k) "audierint", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus; "audient", Cocceius.

Geneva Study Bible

But if they will not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation, saith the LORD.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Jeremiah 12:17

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

But they who hearken not, namely, to the invitation to take Jahveh as the true God, these shall be utterly destroyed. נתושׁ ואבּד, so to pluck them out that they may perish. The promise is Messianic, cf. Jeremiah 16:19; Isaiah 56:6., Micah 4:1-4, etc., inasmuch as it points to the end of God's way with all nations.