CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Jeremiah 12:9 Is not My inheritance to Me like a speckled bird of prey with other birds of prey circling against her? Go, gather all the beasts of the field; bring them to devour her.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/jeremiah/12-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/24_Jer_12_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Jeremiah 12:9 - God's Answer to Jeremiah" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Is not My inheritance to Me like a speckled bird of prey with other birds of prey circling against her? Go, gather all the beasts of the field; bring them to devour her." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/jeremiah/12-9.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/jeremiah/12-9.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/jeremiah/">Jeremiah</a> > <a href="/jeremiah/12.htm">Chapter 12</a> > Verse 9</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad9.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/jeremiah/12-8.htm" title="Jeremiah 12:8">◄</a> Jeremiah 12:9 <a href="/jeremiah/12-10.htm" title="Jeremiah 12:10">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/jeremiah/12.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/jeremiah/12.htm">New International Version</a> Has not my inheritance become to me like a speckled bird of prey that other birds of prey surround and attack? Go and gather all the wild beasts; bring them to devour. <a href="/nlt/jeremiah/12.htm">New Living Translation</a> My chosen people act like speckled vultures, but they themselves are surrounded by vultures. Bring on the wild animals to pick their corpses clean! <a href="/esv/jeremiah/12.htm">English Standard Version</a> Is my heritage to me like a hyena’s lair? Are the birds of prey against her all around? Go, assemble all the wild beasts; bring them to devour. <a href="/bsb/jeremiah/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Is not My inheritance to Me like a speckled bird of prey with other birds of prey circling against her? Go, gather all the beasts of the field; bring them to devour her. <a href="/kjv/jeremiah/12.htm">King James Bible</a> Mine heritage is unto me as a speckled bird, the birds round about are against her; come ye, assemble all the beasts of the field, come to devour. <a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/12.htm">New King James Version</a> My heritage is to Me like a speckled vulture; The vultures all around are against her. Come, assemble all the beasts of the field, Bring them to devour! <a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “Is My inheritance like a speckled bird of prey to Me? Are the birds of prey against her on every side? Go, gather all the animals of the field, Bring them to devour! <a href="/nasb/jeremiah/12.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Is My inheritance like a speckled bird of prey to Me? Are the birds of prey against her on every side? Go, gather all the beasts of the field, Bring them to devour! <a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Is My inheritance like a speckled bird of prey to Me? Are the birds of prey against her on every side? Go, gather all the beasts of the field, Bring them to devour! <a href="/lsb/jeremiah/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Is My inheritance like a speckled bird of prey to Me? Are the birds of prey against her on every side? Go, gather all the beasts of the field, Bring them to devour! <a href="/amp/jeremiah/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “Is My inheritance like a speckled bird of prey to Me [unlike the others]? Are the birds of prey (enemies) surrounding her on every side? Go, gather all the [wild] beasts of the field; Bring them to devour [her]! <a href="/csb/jeremiah/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Is my inheritance like a hyena to me? Are birds of prey circling her? Go, gather all the wild animals; bring them to devour her. <a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Is My inheritance like a hyena to Me? Are birds of prey circling her? Go, gather all the wild animals; bring them to devour her. <a href="/asv/jeremiah/12.htm">American Standard Version</a> Is my heritage unto me as a speckled bird of prey? are the birds of prey against her round about? go ye, assemble all the beasts of the field, bring them to devour. <a href="/cev/jeremiah/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> My people are like a hawk surrounded and attacked by other hawks. Tell the wild animals to come and eat their fill. <a href="/erv/jeremiah/12.htm">English Revised Version</a> Is mine heritage unto me as a speckled bird of prey? are the birds of prey against her round about? go ye, assemble all the beasts of the field, bring them to devour. <a href="/gwt/jeremiah/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> My people are like a colorful bird of prey. Other birds of prey surround it. Go, gather all the animals in the field, and bring them to devour it. <a href="/gnt/jeremiah/12.htm">Good News Translation</a> My chosen people are like a bird attacked from all sides by hawks. Call the wild animals to come and join in the feast! <a href="/isv/jeremiah/12.htm">International Standard Version</a> Is my inheritance like a speckled bird of prey to me? Are the other birds of prey all around her coming against her? Go, gather all the wild animals and bring them to devour it. <a href="/msb/jeremiah/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Is not My inheritance to Me like a speckled bird of prey with other birds of prey circling against her? Go, gather all the beasts of the field; bring them to devour her. <a href="/net/jeremiah/12.htm">NET Bible</a> The people I call my own attack me like birds of prey or like hyenas. But other birds of prey are all around them. Let all the nations gather together like wild beasts. Let them come and destroy these people I call my own. <a href="/nheb/jeremiah/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Is my heritage to me as a speckled bird of prey? Are the birds of prey against her all around? Go, assemble all the animals of the field, bring them to devour. <a href="/wbt/jeremiah/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> My heritage is to me as a speckled bird, the birds around are against her; come ye, assemble all the beasts of the field, come to devour. <a href="/web/jeremiah/12.htm">World English Bible</a> Is my heritage to me as a speckled bird of prey? Are the birds of prey against her all around? Go, assemble all the animals of the field. Bring them to devour. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> [Is] My inheritance a speckled bird to Me? Is the bird around against her? Come, assemble, every beast of the field, "" Come for food. <a href="/ylt/jeremiah/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> A speckled fowl is Mine inheritance to Me? Is the fowl round about against her? Come, assemble, every beast of the field, Come ye for food. <a href="/slt/jeremiah/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> The ravenous hyena is my inheritance to me, rushing round about upon her; go ye, gather together all the beasts of the field, set ye upon to eat her.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/jeremiah/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Is my inheritance to me as a speckled bird? Is it as a bird died throughout? come ye, assemble yourselves, all the beasts of the earth, make haste to devour. <a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Is my inheritance to me like a discolored bird? Is it like a bird that has entirely changed color? Approach and assemble, all beasts of the earth! Hurry, so that you may devour! <a href="/nabre/jeremiah/12.htm">New American Bible</a> My heritage is a prey for hyenas, is surrounded by vultures; Come, gather together, all you wild animals, come and eat! <a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Is the hyena greedy for my heritage at my command? Are the birds of prey all around her? Go, assemble all the wild animals; bring them to devour her.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> My heritage has become to me as a speckled bird, the birds round about are against her; go, assemble all the wild beasts of the field, bring them to devour her. <a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> My inheritance was a speckled bird of prey to me, and the birds of prey circled around her. Every animal of the wilderness went and gathered around her and came to eat her<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/jeremiah/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Is My heritage unto Me as a speckled bird of prey? Are the birds of prey against her round about? Come ye, assemble all the beasts of the field, Bring them to devour. <a href="/sep/jeremiah/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Is not my inheritance to me a hyaena's cave, or a cave round about her? Go ye, gather together all the wild beasts of the field, and let them come to devour her. <a href="/parallel/jeremiah/12-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5k55c51ZGhs?start=3739" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/12.htm">God's Answer to Jeremiah</a> …8My inheritance has become to Me like a lion in the forest. She has roared against Me; therefore I hate her. 9<a href="/hebrew/5159.htm" title="5159: na·ḥă·lā·ṯî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- From nachal; properly, something inherited, i.e. occupancy, or an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion.">Is not My inheritance</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">to Me</a> <a href="/hebrew/6641.htm" title="6641: ṣā·ḇū·a‘ (Adj-ms) -- Colored, variegated. Passive participle of the same as tseba'; dyed, i.e. The hyena.">like a speckled</a> <a href="/hebrew/5861.htm" title="5861: ha·‘a·yiṭ (Art:: N-ms) -- A bird of prey. From iyt; a hawk or other bird of prey.">bird of prey</a> <a href="/hebrew/5861.htm" title="5861: ha·‘a·yiṭ (Art:: N-ms) -- A bird of prey. From iyt; a hawk or other bird of prey.">with other birds of prey</a> <a href="/hebrew/5439.htm" title="5439: sā·ḇîḇ (Adv) -- Circuit, round about. Or cbiybah; from cabab; a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly around.">circling</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·le·hā (Prep:: 3fs) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">against her?</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: lə·ḵū (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">Go,</a> <a href="/hebrew/622.htm" title="622: ’is·p̄ū (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To gather, remove. A primitive root; to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. Remove.">gather</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/2416.htm" title="2416: ḥay·yaṯ (N-fsc) -- Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life. From chayah; alive; hence, raw; fresh, strong; also life, whether literally or figuratively.">the beasts</a> <a href="/hebrew/7704.htm" title="7704: haś·śā·ḏeh (Art:: N-ms) -- Field, land. Or saday; from an unused root meaning to spread out; a field.">of the field;</a> <a href="/hebrew/857.htm" title="857: hê·ṯā·yū (V-Hifil-Imp-mp) -- To come. Or matha; a primitive root; to arrive.">bring them</a> <a href="/hebrew/402.htm" title="402: lə·’āḵ·lāh (Prep-l:: N-fs) -- Food, eating. Feminine of 'Ukal; food.">to devour her.</a> 10Many shepherds have destroyed My vineyard; they have trampled My plot of ground. They have turned My pleasant field into a desolate wasteland.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/isaiah/56-9.htm">Isaiah 56:9</a> Come, all you beasts of the field; eat greedily, all you beasts of the forest. <a href="/ezekiel/34-8.htm">Ezekiel 34:8</a> ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, because My flock lacks a shepherd and has become prey and food for every wild beast, and because My shepherds did not search for My flock but fed themselves instead, <a href="/hosea/8-1.htm">Hosea 8:1</a> Put the ram’s horn to your lips! An eagle looms over the house of the LORD, because the people have transgressed My covenant and rebelled against My law. <a href="/zephaniah/3-3.htm">Zephaniah 3:3</a> Her princes are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves, leaving nothing for the morning. <a href="/matthew/23-37.htm">Matthew 23:37</a> O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! <a href="/luke/13-34.htm">Luke 13:34</a> O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! <a href="/ezekiel/22-25.htm">Ezekiel 22:25</a> The conspiracy of the princes in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing its prey. They devour the people, seize the treasures and precious things, and multiply the widows within her. <a href="/psalms/79-2.htm">Psalm 79:2</a> They have given the corpses of Your servants as food to the birds of the air, the flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth. <a href="/isaiah/11-6.htm">Isaiah 11:6-9</a> The wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the goat; the calf and young lion and fatling will be together, and a little child will lead them. / The cow will graze with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. / The infant will play by the cobra’s den, and the toddler will reach into the viper’s nest. ... <a href="/revelation/18-2.htm">Revelation 18:2</a> And he cried out in a mighty voice: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a lair for demons and a haunt for every unclean spirit, every unclean bird, and every detestable beast. <a href="/micah/3-5.htm">Micah 3:5</a> This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths: <a href="/acts/20-29.htm">Acts 20:29</a> I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. <a href="/zechariah/11-3.htm">Zechariah 11:3</a> Listen to the wailing of the shepherds, for their glory is in ruins. Listen to the roaring of the young lions, for the thickets of the Jordan are destroyed. <a href="/john/10-12.htm">John 10:12</a> The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. <a href="/isaiah/5-29.htm">Isaiah 5:29</a> Their roaring is like that of a lion; they roar like young lions. They growl and seize their prey; they carry it away, and no one can rescue it.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>My heritage is to me as a speckled bird, the birds round about are against her; come you, assemble all the beasts of the field, come to devour.Mine.Speckled bird.<a href="/jeremiah/2-15.htm">Jeremiah 2:15</a> The young lions roared upon him, and yelled, and they made his land waste: his cities are burned without inhabitant.<a href="/2_kings/24-2.htm">2 Kings 24:2</a> And the LORD sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servants the prophets.<a href="/ezekiel/16-36.htm">Ezekiel 16:36,37</a> Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness discovered through thy whoredoms with thy lovers, and with all the idols of thy abominations, and by the blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them; … come ye.<a href="/jeremiah/7-33.htm">Jeremiah 7:33</a> And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray them away.<a href="/isaiah/56-9.htm">Isaiah 56:9</a> All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest.<a href="/ezekiel/39-17.htm">Ezekiel 39:17-20</a> And, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; Speak unto every feathered fowl, and to every beast of the field, Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side to my sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, even a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel, that ye may eat flesh, and drink blood… come.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/12-4.htm">Animals</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-14.htm">Assemble</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-5.htm">Attack</a> <a href="/isaiah/11-14.htm">Attacking</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-4.htm">Beasts</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-25.htm">Bird</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-4.htm">Birds</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-9.htm">Brightly</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-16.htm">Coloured</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-19.htm">Cruel</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-16.htm">Devour</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-4.htm">Field</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-8.htm">Heritage</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-8.htm">Inheritance</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-14.htm">Prey</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-25.htm">Round</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-25.htm">Side</a> <a href="/genesis/31-12.htm">Speckled</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-17.htm">Surround</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-17.htm">Together</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-24.htm">Wild</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/15-3.htm">Animals</a> <a href="/jeremiah/21-4.htm">Assemble</a> <a href="/jeremiah/37-8.htm">Attack</a> <a href="/jeremiah/15-15.htm">Attacking</a> <a href="/jeremiah/15-3.htm">Beasts</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-52.htm">Bird</a> <a href="/jeremiah/15-3.htm">Birds</a> <a href="/daniel/12-3.htm">Brightly</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-27.htm">Coloured</a> <a href="/jeremiah/15-21.htm">Cruel</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-12.htm">Devour</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-10.htm">Field</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-10.htm">Heritage</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-14.htm">Inheritance</a> <a href="/jeremiah/15-13.htm">Prey</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-1.htm">Round</a> <a href="/jeremiah/20-3.htm">Side</a> <a href="/zechariah/1-8.htm">Speckled</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-22.htm">Surround</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-14.htm">Together</a> <a href="/jeremiah/14-6.htm">Wild</a><div class="vheading2">Jeremiah 12</div>1. <a href="/jeremiah/12-1.htm">Jeremiah, complaining of the prosperity of the wicked, by faith sees their ruin.</a> 5. <a href="/jeremiah/12-5.htm">God admonishes him of his brothers' treachery against him;</a> 7. <a href="/jeremiah/12-7.htm">and laments his heritage.</a> 14. <a href="/jeremiah/12-14.htm">He promises to the penitent return from captivity.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/jeremiah/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Is not My inheritance to Me like a speckled bird of prey This phrase refers to God's people, Israel, as His inheritance. The imagery of a "speckled bird of prey" suggests something unique and set apart, yet vulnerable. In the ancient Near East, birds of prey were often seen as symbols of power and judgment. The "speckled" aspect may imply a mixture or corruption, possibly indicating Israel's compromised state due to idolatry and sin. This imagery is consistent with other biblical passages where Israel is depicted as God's chosen yet rebellious people (e.g., <a href="/deuteronomy/32-9.htm">Deuteronomy 32:9-10</a>).with other birds of prey circling against her? The "other birds of prey" symbolize the surrounding nations that threaten Israel. Historically, Israel was often besieged by neighboring powers such as Assyria and Babylon. This imagery of circling birds suggests imminent danger and attack, reflecting the geopolitical realities of the time. The prophetic literature frequently uses such imagery to describe the nations that God uses as instruments of judgment against Israel (e.g., <a href="/isaiah/46-11.htm">Isaiah 46:11</a>).Go, gather all the beasts of the field; The "beasts of the field" represent foreign nations and their armies. In biblical symbolism, beasts often denote chaos and destruction, as seen in Daniel's visions (Daniel 7). This command to "gather" them indicates a divine orchestration of events, where God allows these nations to come against Israel as a form of judgment for their unfaithfulness.bring them to devour her. This phrase signifies the impending judgment and destruction that Israel will face due to their disobedience. The imagery of devouring is a common biblical motif for complete destruction and conquest (e.g., <a href="/jeremiah/5-17.htm">Jeremiah 5:17</a>). It underscores the severity of God's judgment while also pointing to the hope of eventual restoration, as God often uses such language to call His people back to repentance and covenant faithfulness.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a> The prophet who conveyed God's messages to the people of Judah, often warning them of impending judgment due to their unfaithfulness. 2. <a href="/topical/g/god's_inheritance.htm">God's Inheritance</a> Refers to the people of Israel, whom God chose as His own special possession, yet they have become unfaithful and rebellious. 3. <a href="/topical/s/speckled_bird_of_prey.htm">Speckled Bird of Prey</a> A metaphor for Israel, indicating that they have become distinct and isolated due to their sins, attracting hostility from surrounding nations. 4. <a href="/topical/o/other_birds_of_prey.htm">Other Birds of Prey</a> Symbolizes the surrounding nations that are hostile towards Israel, ready to attack and devour them. 5. <a href="/topical/b/beasts_of_the_field.htm">Beasts of the Field</a> Represents the nations that God will use as instruments of judgment against Israel for their disobedience.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_ownership_and_care.htm">God's Ownership and Care</a> Despite Israel's rebellion, they remain God's inheritance. This reminds us of God's enduring commitment to His people, even when they stray. <a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_sin.htm">Consequences of Sin</a> Israel's distinctiveness as a "speckled bird" is due to their sin, leading to isolation and vulnerability. Sin can make us stand out in negative ways and attract negative consequences. <a href="/topical/d/divine_judgment.htm">Divine Judgment</a> God uses nations as instruments of judgment. This serves as a warning that God is sovereign and will discipline His people to bring them back to righteousness. <a href="/topical/c/call_to_repentance.htm">Call to Repentance</a> The imagery of impending doom is a call for Israel to repent. We are reminded to examine our lives and turn back to God before facing consequences. <a href="/topical/c/community_and_accountability.htm">Community and Accountability</a> Israel's isolation due to sin highlights the importance of community and accountability in maintaining faithfulness to God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_jeremiah_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 12</a> <a href="/q/does_2_kings_9_7-10_repeat_elijah's_prophecy.htm">Why is Elijah's prophecy (2 Kings 9:7-10) repeated and attributed to Elisha's messenger, and does this create inconsistencies with earlier chapters?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_god_judge_deceitful_hearts.htm">(Jeremiah 17:9) If the heart is so deceitful, why would a just God hold humans accountable for following their inherent nature?</a> <a href="/q/is_man's_heart_good_or_evil.htm">Is the heart of man good or evil? (Genesis 1:31 vs. Jeremiah 17:9)</a> <a href="/q/who_was_benjamin_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Benjamin in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/jeremiah/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9) Mine heritage is unto me as a speckled bird.--The Hebrew is interrogative, Is mine heritage . . .? Are the birds come round about against her? The word for "bird" in both cases means a "bird of prey" (<a href="/isaiah/46-11.htm" title="Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executes my counsel from a far country: yes, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.">Isaiah 46:11</a>; <a href="/genesis/15-11.htm" title="And when the fowls came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.">Genesis 15:11</a>), and the "speckled bird" is probably, but not certainly, some less common species of vulture. The image was probably suggested by something the prophet had observed, birds of prey of one species collecting and attacking a solitary stranger of another, joined by the "beasts of the field," the wolves and jackals and hyaenas, who scent their prey. The word "speckled," perhaps, points to the bird attacked as being of more goodly plumage than the others (one, it may be, of the kingfishers that abound in Palestine), and therefore treated as a stranger and an enemy. The fact is one which strikes every observer of bird life (Tac. Ann. vi. 28; Sueton. Caes. c. 81).<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/jeremiah/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 9. - The first part of this verse is mistranslated. Instead of Mine heritage is unto me, etc., it should be, Is mine heritage unto me (i.e. to my sorrow, a dativus ethics) a colored bird of prey? Are birds of prey round about her? The passage is difficult, but the following seems the most plausible explanation: - Jehovah is represented as surprised to see his chosen people a prey to the heathen (a strongly anthropomorphic description, as if Jehovah had not anticipated that his "giving up" his people would have such sad results). It seems to him (adopting human modes of speech) as if Israel were "a colored bird of prey," the bright plumage of which excites the animosity of its less brilliant comrades, who gather round it and pull it to pieces. It is an allusion to the phenomenon, well-known to the ancients (Tacit., 'Ann.' 6:28; Suet., 'Caes.,' 81; Plin.,' Hist. Nat.,' 10:19), of birds gathering round and attacking a strange-looking bird appearing in their midst. The prophet might have simply said "a bird;" why does he say "a bird of prey ('ayit)"? Probably because he has just described the hostile attitude of Israel towards Jehovah under the figure of a lion. Some particular, rare kind of vulture seems to be intended. Sennacherib apparently uses a cognate word ('it) for the vulture ('Taylor Cylinder,' 3. 68). Bochart and Gesenius, following the Septuagint, think "hyena," and not "bird of prey," is the right rendering in the first clause; but Gesenius does not offer any other passage for the meaning bestia rapax. Come ye, assemble all the beasts of the field. There is a parallel passage in <a href="/isaiah/56-9.htm">Isaiah 56:9</a>, where, as here, the "beasts of the field (i.e. the wild beasts of the open country) are the heathen powers employed as God's instruments for chastising Israel (comp. also <a href="/ezekiel/34-5.htm">Ezekiel 34:5</a>, where the same figure occurs). "The prophet adopts the strongest way of expressing that Israel, utterly bereft of his natural defenders, lies at the mercy of the great heathen empire" (note on Isaiah 56:9). Come to devour; rather, bring them to devour. <a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/12-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Is [not] My inheritance נַחֲלָתִי֙ (na·ḥă·lā·ṯî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5159.htm">Strong's 5159: </a> Something inherited, occupancy, an heirloom, an estate, patrimony, portion to Me לִ֔י (lî) Preposition | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> like a speckled צָב֤וּעַ (ṣā·ḇū·a‘) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6641.htm">Strong's 6641: </a> Colored, variegated bird of prey, הַעַ֨יִט (ha·‘a·yiṭ) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5861.htm">Strong's 5861: </a> A hawk, other bird of prey with [other] birds of prey הַעַ֖יִט (ha·‘a·yiṭ) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5861.htm">Strong's 5861: </a> A hawk, other bird of prey circling סָבִ֣יב (sā·ḇîḇ) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5439.htm">Strong's 5439: </a> A circle, neighbour, environs, around against her? עָלֶ֑יהָ (‘ā·le·hā) Preposition | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against Go, לְכ֗וּ (lə·ḵū) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> To go, come, walk gather אִסְפ֛וּ (’is·p̄ū) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_622.htm">Strong's 622: </a> To gather for, any purpose, to receive, take away, remove all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every the beasts חַיַּ֥ת (ḥay·yaṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2416.htm">Strong's 2416: </a> Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life of the field; הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה (haś·śā·ḏeh) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7704.htm">Strong's 7704: </a> Field, land bring הֵתָ֥יוּ (hê·ṯā·yū) Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_857.htm">Strong's 857: </a> To arrive them to devour her. לְאָכְלָֽה׃ (lə·’āḵ·lāh) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_402.htm">Strong's 402: </a> Food, eating <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/12-9.htm">Jeremiah 12:9 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/jeremiah/12-9.htm">Jeremiah 12:9 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/jeremiah/12-9.htm">Jeremiah 12:9 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/jeremiah/12-9.htm">Jeremiah 12:9 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/jeremiah/12-9.htm">Jeremiah 12:9 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/12-9.htm">Jeremiah 12:9 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/12-9.htm">Jeremiah 12:9 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/12-9.htm">Jeremiah 12:9 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/12-9.htm">Jeremiah 12:9 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/jeremiah/12-9.htm">Jeremiah 12:9 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-9.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 12:9 Is my heritage to me as (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/12-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 12:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 12:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/12-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 12:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 12:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>