Jeremiah 18:10
If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.
Original Language Analysis
וְעָשָׂ֤ה
If it do
H6213
וְעָשָׂ֤ה
If it do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
1 of 13
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
בְּעֵינַ֔י
in my sight
H5869
בְּעֵינַ֔י
in my sight
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
3 of 13
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
לְבִלְתִּ֖י
H1115
לְבִלְתִּ֖י
Strong's:
H1115
Word #:
4 of 13
properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n
שְׁמֹ֣עַ
that it obey
H8085
שְׁמֹ֣עַ
that it obey
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
5 of 13
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
וְנִֽחַמְתִּי֙
then I will repent
H5162
וְנִֽחַמְתִּי֙
then I will repent
Strong's:
H5162
Word #:
7 of 13
properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַטּוֹבָ֔ה
of the good
H2896
הַטּוֹבָ֔ה
of the good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
9 of 13
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 13
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Ezekiel 33:18When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby.1 Samuel 2:30Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.Ezekiel 18:24But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.1 Samuel 13:13And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.Psalms 125:5As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.1 Samuel 15:11It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.Numbers 14:22Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;1 Samuel 15:35And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.Zephaniah 1:6And them that are turned back from the LORD; and those that have not sought the LORD, nor enquired for him.
Historical Context
Israel's covenant blessings were explicitly conditional on obedience (Lev 26, Deut 28). Despite God's electing love, persistent disobedience brought exile. Other nations also experienced rise and fall based on moral and spiritual conditions. Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome all rose to prominence and then fell under divine judgment. History demonstrates that no nation is too powerful to escape God's moral governance.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this principle of forfeited blessing through disobedience apply to your personal life?
- What are the signs that a nation or individual is 'doing evil in God's sight' despite outward prosperity?
- How does Christ's perfect obedience secure permanent blessings that conditional obedience could never achieve?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The corresponding condition: "If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them." Just as repentance averts judgment (v. 8), persistent evil forfeits blessing. "Do evil in my sight" emphasizes that God evaluates behavior—human rationalizations and cultural relativism are irrelevant. "That it obey not my voice" specifies the evil as disobedience to God's revealed will.
Again God "repents" (relents)—this time withdrawing promised good rather than threatened evil. The consistency: God responds appropriately to human moral choices. Faithfulness brings blessing, unfaithfulness brings judgment. This isn't arbitrary mood swings but the unchanging character of a holy God responding consistently to changing human behavior. God's immutability (Mal 3:6, Jas 1:17) doesn't mean rigid unchangeableness but consistent faithfulness to His character and purposes.
This principle explains Israel's history—cycles of blessing under faithful kings and judgment under wicked ones (Judges, Kings). It warns Christian nations not to presume upon past blessings. Reformed theology's doctrine of common grace teaches that God can withdraw temporal blessings from unfaithful nations while still accomplishing His eternal purposes. Christ's kingdom alone endures forever because it's founded on His perfect obedience, not ours (Heb 12:28).