Jeremiah 5:18 kjv
Nevertheless in those days, saith the LORD, I will not make a full end with you.
Jeremiah 5:18 nkjv
"Nevertheless in those days," says the LORD, "I will not make a complete end of you.
Jeremiah 5:18 niv
"Yet even in those days," declares the LORD, "I will not destroy you completely.
Jeremiah 5:18 esv
"But even in those days, declares the LORD, I will not make a full end of you.
Jeremiah 5:18 nlt
"Yet even in those days I will not blot you out completely," says the LORD.
Jeremiah 5 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jer 5:18 | Though they escape the destruction, I will not spare them; | Judgment announced |
| Jer 5:19 | when they ask, ‘Why is this happening?, tell them: | Reason for judgment |
| Jer 5:20-25 | They have broken my covenant and lied about the Lord. | Specific sins detailed |
| Isa 10:5-6 | Assyria as God's rod for judgment on the ungodly. | Instrument of judgment |
| Jer 4:6-7 | A foreboding of the coming desolation. | Imminence of destruction |
| Jer 6:12-15 | Consequences of rejecting God’s messengers and covenant. | Rejection of truth |
| Jer 21:1-14 | God’s severe judgment on Jerusalem for disobedience. | Similar prophetic warnings |
| Ezek 14:21 | God’s righteous judgment, sparing no one when His wrath is poured out. | Completeness of judgment |
| Hos 7:8-12 | Ephraim mixing with nations and God not recognizing it. | Foreign entanglements |
| Deut 28:49-50 | Curse of being invaded by a foreign nation. | Foreshadowing of invasion |
| Amos 3:11 | Enemy surrounding the land, stripping its strength. | Enemy surrounding |
| Mic 7:10 | Enemies rejoicing over Zion's downfall. | Enemy exultation |
| Ps 79:1-4 | Lament over enemies desecrating Jerusalem. | Enemies desecrating holy city |
| Lam 1:21 | Jerusalem's plea to God against her enemies. | Jerusalem's plight |
| Nahum 3:7 | Nineveh's inevitable downfall, leading to weeping. | Enemy’s inevitable downfall |
| Zeph 1:14-18 | The Day of the Lord – judgment and purification. | Day of the Lord |
| Zech 7:11-14 | Refusal to listen leading to scattering. | Refusal to listen |
| Acts 7:51-53 | Stephen accuses religious leaders of resisting the Holy Spirit, like their fathers. | Resisting the Spirit |
| 1 Thess 2:14-16 | Judgment of those who oppose God and hinder His people. | Opposition to God’s people |
| Rom 1:18-32 | God's wrath revealed against all ungodliness. | God’s wrath |
| Gal 3:21-22 | Sin incapacitating humanity under the law. | Sin's incapacitating power |
| Rev 6:15-17 | Kings and rulers hiding from God's wrath. | Fear of wrath |
| Prov 17:2 | A wise servant is sovereign over a shameful son. | Ruling over undeserving rulers |
| Jer 5:12-13 | They deny the Lord and His words, attributing His power to enemies. | Denial of God's authority |
Jeremiah 5 verses
Jeremiah 5 18 Meaning
The verse speaks of a prophetic declaration by God through Jeremiah about a severe judgment that will come upon Jerusalem and Judah. This judgment is described as being so potent that even the mightiest of their oppressors would not be able to restrain themselves from utter destruction and plundering. It highlights God's unwavering anger against the sins of His people, which will result in total devastation.
Jeremiah 5 18 Context
Jeremiah 5 stands as a powerful indictment against the people of Judah. The preceding verses detail the widespread sinfulness pervading Jerusalem and its inhabitants – apostasy, lying, oppression, and unfaithfulness to God. The prophet Jeremiah is conveying God’s sorrow and impending judgment due to this pervasive sin. The immediate context leading up to verse 18 is a lament from God himself over the depth of Judah's rebellion, particularly their leaders and priests who have disregarded His law and His prophets. This verse then directly addresses the utter hopelessness of escape for Judah, announcing that not even those who might be considered as plunderers or destroyers will be held back by anyone. Historically, Judah was facing increasing threats from powerful empires like Babylon, and Jeremiah's message underscores that these external forces, when empowered by God's judgment, would be merciless.
Jeremiah 5 18 Word Analysis
כִּי (ki): Conjunction meaning "for," "because," "that," or "when." It introduces a reason or a statement of fact. Here, it functions to explain the basis or the immediate consequence of the preceding declarations about God’s judgment.
בְּאֶפֶס (b'efes): Literally "in emptiness" or "with nothing." It signifies that despite any apparent efforts or perceived defenses that turn out to be "nothing," the destruction will still come. It suggests that whatever hopes they place in earthly fortifications or alliances are ultimately vain.
כִּלָּה (killa): "to consume," "to finish," "to destroy utterly." This root word conveys complete annihilation. It highlights the comprehensive nature of God's judgment, leaving nothing intact.
מִלָּמָל (millamal): This is a poetic and emphatic term meaning "wholly," "utterly," or "without fail." It stresses the absolute certainty and totality of the consumption by the enemy, indicating no one would hold them back.
יְחַל (yechal): Future tense verb from חוּל (chul), meaning "to wait," "to hold back," or "to endure." It suggests that even those who might ordinarily wait or hold back from further destruction would be impelled to do so because of God’s decree.
Group of words: "Though they escape the destruction...": This phrase captures a crucial theological point. Even if they managed to evade an initial onslaught or specific calamity, God's overarching plan for judgment would still ensure their eventual downfall. No evasion was possible from divine reckoning.
Group of words: "...I will not spare them...": This signifies God's resolved anger. "Spare" implies showing mercy or pity, which God declares He will withhold because of their persistent sin. It emphasizes that His patience has run out.
Group of words: "...even if they hide away...": This further reinforces the futility of their efforts to escape. Whether in visible defeat or hidden evasion, the judgment would find them.
Group of words: "...and if they climb to the highest heavens, from there I will bring them down.": This is hyperbolic language portraying the ultimate inescapability. No refuge, no matter how exalted or secure, could shield them from God's searching judgment.
Jeremiah 5 18 Bonus Section
The concept of "hiding" or "climbing to the highest heavens" is mirrored in other biblical passages where characters attempt to flee from God's presence or escape His judgment. Examples include Jonah trying to escape his mission by fleeing to Tarshish, or in the New Testament, the desperate attempts of the wicked to hide from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb (Revelation 6:16). This verse reinforces that God's knowledge and power extend to all realms, making escape from His judgment impossible for those who deliberately turn away from Him. The "destruction" also points to the broader concept of God’s justice being enacted, a theme present throughout Scripture as the consequence of sin against a holy God.
Jeremiah 5 18 Commentary
Jeremiah 5:18 is a declaration of God’s sovereign and inevitable judgment upon a defiant Judah. The verse underscores that God's wrath is not merely conditional upon partial disobedience, but upon their foundational rebellion and covenant betrayal. The wording emphasizes the comprehensive nature of this judgment – escape through military prowess, hiding, or seeking refuge in heights would be futile. God’s decree means that His chosen instrument of destruction would be allowed to act without restraint, leaving no room for mercy because the sin merited total retribution. It reflects a God who is just and whose judgment follows His own decreed standards, not swayed by superficial defenses or evasions.