Jeremiah 18:11
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.
Original Language Analysis
וְעַתָּ֡ה
H6258
נָ֣א
H4994
נָ֣א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
3 of 29
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
אִ֚ישׁ
to the men
H376
אִ֚ישׁ
to the men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
5 of 29
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
יְהוּדָה֩
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָה֩
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
6 of 29
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
7 of 29
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יוֹשְׁבֵ֨י
and to the inhabitants
H3427
יוֹשְׁבֵ֨י
and to the inhabitants
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
8 of 29
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֜ם
of Jerusalem
H3389
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֜ם
of Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
9 of 29
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
כֹּ֚ה
H3541
כֹּ֚ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
11 of 29
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
13 of 29
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
יוֹצֵ֤ר
Behold I frame
H3335
יוֹצֵ֤ר
Behold I frame
Strong's:
H3335
Word #:
16 of 29
to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e., form a resolution)
עֲלֵיכֶם֙
H5921
עֲלֵיכֶם֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
17 of 29
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְחֹשֵׁ֥ב
against you and devise
H2803
וְחֹשֵׁ֥ב
against you and devise
Strong's:
H2803
Word #:
19 of 29
properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou
עֲלֵיכֶ֖ם
H5921
עֲלֵיכֶ֖ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
20 of 29
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מַֽחֲשָׁבָ֑ה
a device
H4284
מַֽחֲשָׁבָ֑ה
a device
Strong's:
H4284
Word #:
21 of 29
a contrivance, i.e., (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan (whether bad, a plot; or good, advice)
שׁ֣וּבוּ
against you return
H7725
שׁ֣וּבוּ
against you return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
22 of 29
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
נָ֗א
H4994
נָ֗א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
23 of 29
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
אִ֚ישׁ
to the men
H376
אִ֚ישׁ
to the men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
24 of 29
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
דַרְכֵיכֶ֖ם
and make your ways
H1870
דַרְכֵיכֶ֖ם
and make your ways
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
25 of 29
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
וְהֵיטִ֥יבוּ
good
H3190
וְהֵיטִ֥יבוּ
good
Strong's:
H3190
Word #:
27 of 29
to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)
Cross References
2 Kings 17:13Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.Jeremiah 35:15I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me.Jeremiah 7:3Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place.Jeremiah 25:5They said, Turn ye again now every one from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the LORD hath given unto you and to your fathers for ever and ever:Acts 26:20But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.Zechariah 1:3Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.James 5:1Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.Isaiah 5:5And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down:Micah 2:3Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, against this family do I devise an evil, from which ye shall not remove your necks; neither shall ye go haughtily: for this time is evil.
Historical Context
Jeremiah repeatedly appealed for national repentance (Jer 3:12-14, 4:1-4, 7:3-7, 26:3-6), warning that judgment could still be averted. Unlike prophets who announced unconditional doom (Nahum against Nineveh after their repentance wore off), Jeremiah consistently offered hope for those who would genuinely repent. Tragically, Judah refused, sealing their fate. The call went unheeded, demonstrating that even the most urgent, compassionate divine appeals can be rejected.
Questions for Reflection
- What specific 'evil ways' and 'doings' do you need to turn from in genuine repentance?
- How does understanding that God 'frames evil' against the impenitent affect your urgency in calling others to repent?
- In what ways does genuine repentance require not just feeling sorry but changing behavior?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God applies the potter principle directly to Judah: "Now therefore go to, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem." The object lesson concludes with explicit application—God is the potter, Judah is the clay. "Behold, I frame evil against you" uses potter language (yotzer, יוֹצֵר, forming/shaping), indicating God is actively preparing judgment. Yet the urgent appeal follows: "return ye now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good."
The call to "return" (shuvu, שֻׁבוּ, turn back, repent) is individual and corporate—"every one" must personally repent, yet national transformation requires collective renewal. "Make your ways and your doings good" demands moral reformation, not merely ritual or emotional response. True repentance involves changed behavior demonstrating transformed hearts (Matt 3:8, Acts 26:20).
This verse demonstrates that even imminent judgment remains avoidable through genuine repentance. God's warning isn't sadistic threat-making but compassionate appeal. The Reformed doctrine of effectual calling applies to individuals, but nations also receive genuine offers of mercy that they can and do resist. God's desire that all repent (2 Pet 3:9) doesn't guarantee all will—human resistance to grace remains mysteriously real despite divine sovereignty.