Jeremiah 18:17
I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I will shew them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity.
Original Language Analysis
כְּרֽוּחַ
wind
H7307
כְּרֽוּחַ
wind
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
1 of 11
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
קָדִ֥ים
them as with an east
H6921
קָדִ֥ים
them as with an east
Strong's:
H6921
Word #:
2 of 11
the fore or front part; hence (by orientation) the east (often adverbially, eastward, for brevity the east wind)
אֲפִיצֵ֖ם
I will scatter
H6327
אֲפִיצֵ֖ם
I will scatter
Strong's:
H6327
Word #:
3 of 11
to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse)
פָנִ֛ים
and not the face
H6440
פָנִ֛ים
and not the face
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
4 of 11
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
עֹ֧רֶף
them the back
H6203
עֹ֧רֶף
them the back
Strong's:
H6203
Word #:
6 of 11
the nape or back of the neck (as declining); hence, the back generally (whether literal or figurative)
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 11
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
פָנִ֛ים
and not the face
H6440
פָנִ֛ים
and not the face
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
8 of 11
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אֶרְאֵ֖ם
I will shew
H7200
אֶרְאֵ֖ם
I will shew
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
9 of 11
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
Cross References
Jeremiah 13:24Therefore will I scatter them as the stubble that passeth away by the wind of the wilderness.Jeremiah 2:27Saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us.Psalms 48:7Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.Job 27:21The east wind carrieth him away, and he departeth: and as a storm hurleth him out of his place.Hosea 13:15Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels.Jeremiah 32:33And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught them, rising up early and teaching them, yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction.Jeremiah 46:21Also her hired men are in the midst of her like fatted bullocks; for they also are turned back, and are fled away together: they did not stand, because the day of their calamity was come upon them, and the time of their visitation.
Historical Context
The east wind regularly devastated Palestinian agriculture, serving as an apt metaphor for destructive judgment (Gen 41:6, 23, 27, Ezek 17:10, 19:12, Hos 13:15). The Babylonian exile scattered Judah's population across Mesopotamia, Egypt, and other regions. God's apparent absence during exile forms the backdrop for post-exilic wrestling with theodicy (Lamentations, Ezekiel) and longing for restoration (Psalms 42-43, 74, 79-80, 137).
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to experience God showing His back rather than His face in times of trouble?
- How does persistent rejection of God's appeals for repentance lead to eventual abandonment to consequences?
- In what ways did Christ experience God's turned back on the cross, bearing what we deserved?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God describes His judgment: "I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy." The east wind (qadiym, קָדִים) was the sirocco—a hot, fierce desert wind that withered vegetation and brought discomfort. Scattering like chaff before wind depicts total dispersal and helplessness (Ps 1:4, Hos 13:3). The Babylonian invasion will scatter Judah's population into exile.
"I will shew them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity"—devastating imagery of divine abandonment. To show one's face indicates favor, attention, and blessing (Num 6:25-26, Ps 27:8-9); to turn one's back signals rejection and withdrawal of protection. In their moment of greatest need ("day of their calamity"), God will not intervene to save because they persistently rejected His appeals for repentance.
This represents the ultimate covenant curse—removal of God's protective presence. While Reformed theology affirms God's omnipresence, His special covenantal presence can be withdrawn from unfaithful people and nations. Ichabod—"the glory has departed" (1 Sam 4:21)—describes this tragic loss. Yet even this judgment serves redemptive purposes, preparing a remnant for restoration through the new covenant in Christ.