Yirmiyahu 11-12

The prophecy in perek 11 is the product of three combined prophecies delivered on three different occasions. The combination of these prophecies reflects the deterioration of the nation's spiritual state. The first section (1-5) describes a covenant that engendered hopeful expectations. The second and third sections (6-8, 9-13) describe the nation's failure to fulfill their commitment. After the description of the punishment in the third section (11-13), Yirmiyahu requests permission to pray on behalf of the nation. However, God refuses his request.

The second half of perek 11, and perek 12 reveal painful details of Yirmiyahu's tortured life by describing the mistreatment and harassment he suffered at the hands of his family and neighbors. The first section (11:18-23) describes the evil committed by the people of Anatot and the punishment they received as a result of their behavior. In the second section (12:1-6), Yirmiyahu joins the ranks alongside great leaders, prophets, and composers of Tehillim who have questioned the ways of God, wondering why the sinners succeed while the righteous consistently suffer. The perek continues with two prophecies in which God speaks about the destruction of the Temple and the land of Israel as an event which has already taken place. God's distress over the nation's betrayal is interwoven with expression of His deep love for them and His pain at the site of the destruction.