Jeremiah 18:8 kjv
If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.
Jeremiah 18:8 nkjv
if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it.
Jeremiah 18:8 niv
and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned.
Jeremiah 18:8 esv
and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it.
Jeremiah 18:8 nlt
but then that nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had planned.
Jeremiah 18 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 18:7 | At an instant I speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to pluck up. | Jeremiah 18:7 (Full) |
| Jeremiah 18:9 | And at another instant I speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it. | Jeremiah 18:9 (Full) |
| Exodus 32:14 | And Jehovah revoked the thought of good that he said he would do unto his people. | Exodus 32:14 (God’s relent) |
| Numbers 14:20 | And Jehovah said, I have revoked according to your word. | Numbers 14:20 (God’s relent) |
| 1 Samuel 15:11 | It grieveth me that I have set up Saul to be king, for he hath turned back from following me. | 1 Samuel 15:11 (God’s regret) |
| Jonah 3:10 | And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God revoked the evil, which he had said he would do unto them; and he did it not. | Jonah 3:10 (Nineveh’s repentance) |
| 1 Kings 21:29 | Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? Because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days; but in his son's days will I bring the evil upon his house. | 1 Kings 21:29 (Ahab’s repentance) |
| Psalm 7:11 | God is a righteous judge, yea, God is wroth with the wicked every day. | Psalm 7:11 (God’s judgment) |
| Psalm 7:12 | If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. | Psalm 7:12 (Warning) |
| Psalm 7:13 | He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordeth his arrows against them that are in their full heat. | Psalm 7:13 (Preparation for judgment) |
| Psalm 86:5 | For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive, and plenteous in lovingkindness unto all them that call upon thee. | Psalm 86:5 (God’s forgiveness) |
| Psalm 103:8 | Jehovah is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in lovingkindness. | Psalm 103:8 (God’s nature) |
| Psalm 145:8 | Jehovah is gracious, and merciful; slow to anger, and of great lovingkindness. | Psalm 145:8 (God’s nature) |
| Proverbs 14:34 | Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to peoples. | Proverbs 14:34 (Nation’s state) |
| Proverbs 15:1 | A gentle answer turneth away wrath: but a harsh word stirreth up anger. | Proverbs 15:1 (Response to offense) |
| Isaiah 55:6 | Seek ye Jehovah while he may be found; call ye upon him while he is near. | Isaiah 55:6 (Opportunity to seek) |
| Isaiah 55:7 | Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto Jehovah, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. | Isaiah 55:7 (Forsaking evil) |
| Matthew 18:3 | And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye turn and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven. | Matthew 18:3 (Change of heart) |
| Luke 15:10 | Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of God over one sinner that repenteth. | Luke 15:10 (Joy in repentance) |
| Acts 3:19 | Repent ye therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out. | Acts 3:19 (Call to repentance) |
| 1 John 1:9 | If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. | 1 John 1:9 (Confession and forgiveness) |
| Revelation 2:5 | Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee, and will move thy lampstand out of its place, except thou repent. | Revelation 2:5 (Warning and repentance) |
Jeremiah 18 verses
Jeremiah 18 8 Meaning
If that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will revoke the disaster that I intended to bring upon it.
Jeremiah 18 8 Context
Jeremiah 18 presents a pottery parable, illustrating God's sovereignty and his ability to reshape nations and individuals based on their actions. The preceding verses establish the analogy: God, like a potter, holds the power to build up or tear down any nation. This verse, chapter 18, verse 8, serves as the core of God's message through Jeremiah, emphasizing that His pronouncements of judgment are conditional upon a nation's response to His word. If a people turns from their wickedness, God will relent from the punishment He had planned. This underscores God's character as both a righteous judge and a merciful Father. The immediate context is God speaking through Jeremiah to the people of Judah, who were deep in sin and facing imminent Babylonian invasion. This divine pronouncement offers them a way out: genuine repentance.
Jeremiah 18 8 Word analysis
- If (Hebrew: im) - A conditional particle introducing a hypothesis or possibility.
- that nation (Hebrew: hag-goy) - Refers specifically to the nation of Israel/Judah, the recipient of this prophecy.
- concerning which (Hebrew: asher) - A relative pronoun connecting the nation to God's previous statement.
- I have spoken (Hebrew: dibarti) - God refers to His prior pronouncements, likely the threats of judgment detailed elsewhere in Jeremiah.
- turns (Hebrew: shuv) - A key Hebrew verb, often translated as "repent," signifying a turning back, a change of direction in action and heart.
- from its evil (Hebrew: mera'atah) - From their wicked deeds, sins, and rebellion against God's commands.
- I will revoke (Hebrew: nikhamti) - A complex term often translated as "regret" or "repent" concerning God's actions. It signifies a change of intention or disposition on God's part, not in His essential nature, but in His expressed purpose for action based on man's behavior. It highlights His responsive mercy.
- the disaster (Hebrew: ha-ra'ah) - The calamity, misfortune, or punishment that God had decreed.
- that I intended (Hebrew: zammanti) - Planned, purposed, devised.
- to bring upon it (Hebrew: la-hevi alav) - To inflict or cause to come upon it.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "If that nation...turns from its evil": This phrase encapsulates the condition for divine mercy. The concept of shuv (turn/repent) is central, indicating a radical change of behavior and a turning away from sin and towards God. This aligns with the broader prophetic call for repentance throughout the Old Testament.
- "I will revoke the disaster": This expresses God's willingness to change His course of action based on human repentance. It reflects His attribute of mercy and His desire for people to turn from their sin rather than face judgment. The Hebrew word nikhamti implies a genuine response to a changed situation, not an error in God's initial judgment, but a fulfillment of His relational faithfulness.
Jeremiah 18 8 Bonus section
The concept of God "revoking" or "repenting" concerning judgment is a recurring theme in Scripture, emphasizing that God is relational and His actions are responsive to human sin and repentance. This highlights God's justice and His mercy in balance. It counters any deterministic view of God's will and showcases His desire for fellowship. This attribute of responsive mercy is echoed in the New Testament teachings about forgiveness upon confession of sin and the joy in heaven over a repentant sinner. This verse serves as a pivotal statement in Jeremiah's ministry, framing all his subsequent prophecies with the possibility of hope through repentance, even amidst severe warnings of judgment against Judah.
Jeremiah 18 8 Commentary
This verse powerfully declares God's conditional sovereignty. While God has the absolute authority to judge and to bring destruction upon a sinful nation, His judgment is not final or inescapable. He is a God who desires repentance and offers the possibility of reprieve when people genuinely turn from their wicked ways. This is not a weakness on God's part, but a demonstration of His mercy and His responsive character to human choice. The "turning" here is not merely outward action but includes a turning of the heart and thoughts, a concept amplified in the New Testament. God's intention is to save, not to destroy, but that saving action is contingent upon man's turning to Him.