Jer 12:4 | NET2full | STEP | How long must the land be parched and the grass in every field be withered ? How long must the animals and the birds die because of the wickedness of the people who live in this land? For these people boast , “God will not see what happens to us.”

Jeremiah 12:4

4 How long must the land be parched ^{▼▼tn The verb here is often translated “mourn.” However, this verb is from a homonymic root meaning “to be dry” (cf. HALOT 7 s.v. II אָבַל and compare Hos 4:3 for usage).}
and the grass in every field be withered?
How long ^{▼▼tn The words “How long” are not in the text. They are carried over from the first line.} must the animals and the birds die
because of the wickedness of the people who live in this land? ^{▼▼tn Heb “because of the wickedness of those who live in it.”}
For these people boast,
“God ^{▼▼tn Heb “he.” The referent is usually identified as God and is supplied here for clarity. Some identify the referent with Jeremiah. If that is the case, then he returns to his complaint about the conspirators. It is more likely, however, that it refers to God and Jeremiah’s complaint that the people live their lives apart from concern about God.} will not see what happens to us.” ^{▼▼tc Or reading with the Greek version, “God does not see what we are doing.” In place of “what will happen to us (אַחֲרִיתֵנוּ, ʾakharitenu, “our end”) the Greek version understands a Hebrew text which reads “our ways” (אָרְחוֹתֵנו, ʾorkhotenu), which is graphically very close to the MT. The Masoretic is supported by the Latin and is retained here on the basis of external evidence. Either text makes good sense in the context. Some identify the “he” with Jeremiah and understand the text to be saying that the conspirators are certain that they will succeed and he will not live to see his prophecies fulfilled.} ^{▼▼sn The words here may be an outright rejection of the Lord’s words in Deut 32:20, which is part of a song that was to be taught to Israel in the light of their predicted rejection of the Lord.}