Jeremiah 18 11

Jeremiah 18:11 kjv

Now therefore go to, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: return ye now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.

Jeremiah 18:11 nkjv

"Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, 'Thus says the LORD: "Behold, I am fashioning a disaster and devising a plan against you. Return now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good." ' "

Jeremiah 18:11 niv

"Now therefore say to the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem, 'This is what the LORD says: Look! I am preparing a disaster for you and devising a plan against you. So turn from your evil ways, each one of you, and reform your ways and your actions.'

Jeremiah 18:11 esv

Now, therefore, say to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: 'Thus says the LORD, Behold, I am shaping disaster against you and devising a plan against you. Return, every one from his evil way, and amend your ways and your deeds.'

Jeremiah 18:11 nlt

"Therefore, Jeremiah, go and warn all Judah and Jerusalem. Say to them, 'This is what the LORD says: I am planning disaster for you instead of good. So turn from your evil ways, each of you, and do what is right.'"

Jeremiah 18 verses

Jeremiah 18 11 Meaning

This verse is a prophetic declaration of judgment against Israel, specifically their turning away from God. It states that their present actions will lead to their downfall, presenting a stark consequence for their disobedience. God, through Jeremiah, is showing them that their chosen path of sin will result in destruction and they will become a desolation.

Jeremiah 18 11 Context

Jeremiah chapter 18 details God's use of the potter and clay imagery to illustrate His sovereignty and the potential for change in His dealings with nations based on their response to Him. In this context, after showing Israel's potential for redemption like the marred pot reshaped, God pronounces judgment upon them for their persistent rebellion. The previous verses (1-10) presented the potter analogy and the conditional nature of God's pronouncements: if a nation turns from its evil, God relents from the disaster. However, verses 11 onward show that Israel has not heeded this message and continues in their wicked ways. Therefore, God is now proceeding with the judgment previously threatened. The historical backdrop is a Judah nearing its destruction by Babylon, a direct consequence of their continued apostasy and rejection of God's prophets, including Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 18 11 Word Analysis

• Now therefore (v'attah 'at):

  • Literally, "and now." This is a conjunctive particle, indicating a transition to a new point, often a consequence or a command following a previous explanation or situation.
  • It signals that based on what has been explained or what Israel has done, the following words are a direct and immediate consequence or command.

• go (lech):

  • Imperative verb, masculine singular. Means "go" or "proceed."
  • God is commanding Jeremiah to act, to go and deliver this message directly.

• to, speak (dabbar):

  • Infinitive absolute used adverbially with the imperfect, emphasizing the certainty and command to speak. Means "to speak" or "to say."
  • Highlights the direct and urgent nature of Jeremiah's prophetic duty in delivering this specific message.

• the men ('anashay):

  • Plural form of "man." Refers to the male population, often used generically to represent the people.
  • In a patriarchal society, the leaders and prominent figures are often included in this designation.

• of Judah (Yehudah):

  • Refers to the southern kingdom of Israel, whose capital was Jerusalem.
  • Specifies the audience for this particular prophetic message.

• and the inhabitants (uyl yoshbey):

  • "and" (u) conjoins with "dwellers" (yoshbey), plural of "yosheb."
  • "Inhabitants" refers to those living in a place, emphasizing all residents, not just men.

• of Jerusalem (Yerushalayim):

  • The capital city of Judah.
  • Underscores that the message is for the people concentrated in their main city, the center of their nation.

• saying (lemor):

  • Infinitive construct, indicating what is to be said. Introduces the direct quotation of God's message.

• Thus says (koh 'amar):

  • A standard formula introducing a divine oracle. "Thus" (koh) signifies "so" or "in this manner." "Says" ('amar) is the verb for speaking.
  • Authenticates the words that follow as a direct communication from God.

• the Lord (Yhwh):

  • The covenant name of God.
  • Reminds the people of their relationship with the God who has made covenants with them.

• Behold (hinneh):

  • An exclamation used to draw attention, to alert, or to present something with emphasis.
  • Heightens the sense of urgency and the gravity of the statement that follows.

• I am shaping (govem):

  • Present tense of the verb "gavam," meaning to form, shape, devise, or plot. Often used in the context of preparing something.
  • Relates back to the potter imagery, emphasizing that God is actively working out His plans.

• disaster (ra'ah):

  • A general term for evil, calamity, misfortune, or disaster.
  • Refers to the negative consequences resulting from sin and disobedience.

• against you ('alechem):

  • A preposition "on" or "against" followed by the second person plural pronoun.
  • Directly associates the disaster with the people addressed.

• and devising (v'khoshev):

  • "and" (v) conjoining with "thinking" or "devising" (khoshev), from the root "khashev" meaning to devise, plan, compute, or imagine.
  • Reinforces the idea that this is not random but a deliberate, thought-out plan.

• a plan (mazon):

  • A plot, device, scheme, or purpose. Often has a negative connotation of scheming.
  • Emphasizes the intentionality and forethought in God's judgment.

• against you (alechem):

  • Repeated for emphasis, underscoring that the plan is directed towards them.

• Turn back (shubuy):

  • Imperative verb, the core of God's message here. From the root "shuv," meaning to turn, return, repent.
  • This is a call to repent and cease their wicked actions.

• each of you ('ish mehem):

  • "man from them" or "each one of them."
  • Emphasizes individual responsibility for repentance.

• from his evil way (mimmargim), or from his evil (mimmargim 'ir 'iyro):

  • "from his way" (mimmargim) combined with "evil" ('ir).
  • Refers to their conduct, behavior, and path in life that is sinful.

• and reform (v'hityachashuv):

  • "and reform" or "make yourselves right." From the verb "yacharash," which can mean to plow or to form. Used reflexively here, indicating self-rectification.
  • A call to correct and improve their actions and ways.

• your ways (darkheychem):

  • Plural of "derek," meaning way, path, road, or conduct.
  • Refers to their habitual practices and life courses.

• and your deeds (uma'aseychem):

  • "and your deeds/works" (uma'aseychem). Refers to their actions and activities.
  • Encompasses both the intentions and the outward manifestations of their lives.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Behold, I am shaping disaster against you and devising a plan against you": This entire phrase uses strong verbs ("shaping," "devising") and the repetition of "against you" to convey the certainty and focus of God's impending judgment. It's not accidental but a direct consequence of their actions.
  • "Turn back, each of you from his evil way, and reform your ways and your deeds": This forms a complete call to repentance. "Turn back" is the initial act, followed by forsaking the "evil way" (their entire lifestyle) and then actively reforming or improving their "ways and deeds" (their actions and practices). It emphasizes both cessation of sin and a positive change.

Jeremiah 18 11 Bonus Section

The word "disaster" (ra'ah) in this verse can encompass physical calamity, exile, defeat in battle, and destruction of their city and temple. The "plan" (mazon) speaks to the specific strategizing of their enemies, empowered by God's permissive will due to their sin. The call to "reform your ways and your deeds" implies a holistic change, affecting their personal conduct, societal structures, and religious practices. The historical context of Babylon's rising power amplifies the prophetic weight of this verse, as Judah's persistent rejection of God's warnings directly led to their downfall and exile, precisely as Jeremiah had foretold.

Jeremiah 18 11 Commentary

This verse is a direct and stern warning from God to the people of Judah and Jerusalem, delivered through Jeremiah. It powerfully illustrates God's attribute of both justice and mercy, albeit with a stern warning about the consequences of continued unfaithfulness. God, like the potter who shapes clay, is actively shaping disaster for them because they have refused to shape their lives according to His will.

The core of the message is a call to repentance ("Turn back") and reform ("reform your ways and your deeds"). This isn't a passive waiting for salvation but an active change of heart and behavior. God desires that they turn from their "evil way"—their sinful lifestyle, idolatry, and injustice—and embrace a life that aligns with His commands.

The imagery of "shaping disaster" and "devising a plan" is particularly poignant, connecting to the potter analogy in the preceding verses. Just as the potter reshapes marred clay for a different purpose, or may discard it, God, in His sovereign power, is actively working out the consequences for Judah's rebellion. This highlights that God's judgment is not arbitrary but a direct result of their choices.

The call for individual responsibility ("each of you") is significant. Repentance and reformation are not corporate actions alone but require personal commitment. God holds individuals accountable for their "ways and deeds."

This verse encapsulates a fundamental principle of God's interaction with humanity: His willingness to relent from judgment when people sincerely repent (Jeremiah 7:3, 25:5). However, it also demonstrates the severe consequences when this call is ignored. The emphasis on "shaping" and "devising" underscores the inevitability of judgment for persistent sin, reflecting the principle of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7).