Jeremiah 18:23
Yet, LORD, thou knowest all their counsel against me to slay me: forgive not their iniquity, neither blot out their sin from thy sight, but let them be overthrown before thee; deal thus with them in the time of thine anger.
Original Language Analysis
יְ֠הוָה
Yet LORD
H3068
יְ֠הוָה
Yet LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
יָדַ֜עְתָּ
thou knowest
H3045
יָדַ֜עְתָּ
thou knowest
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
3 of 23
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
אֶֽת
H853
אֶֽת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עֲצָתָ֤ם
all their counsel
H6098
עֲצָתָ֤ם
all their counsel
Strong's:
H6098
Word #:
6 of 23
advice; by implication, plan; also prudence
עָלַי֙
H5921
עָלַי֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
7 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לַמָּ֔וֶת
against me to slay
H4194
לַמָּ֔וֶת
against me to slay
Strong's:
H4194
Word #:
8 of 23
death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
9 of 23
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְחַטָּאתָ֖ם
their sin
H2403
וְחַטָּאתָ֖ם
their sin
Strong's:
H2403
Word #:
13 of 23
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
לְפָנֶ֔יךָ
before
H6440
לְפָנֶ֔יךָ
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
14 of 23
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
15 of 23
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תֶּ֑מְחִי
neither blot out
H4229
תֶּ֑מְחִי
neither blot out
Strong's:
H4229
Word #:
16 of 23
properly, to stroke or rub; by implication, to erase; also to smooth (as if with oil), i.e., grease or make fat
וְהְי֤וּ
H1961
וְהְי֤וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
17 of 23
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
מֻכְשָׁלִים֙
but let them be overthrown
H3782
מֻכְשָׁלִים֙
but let them be overthrown
Strong's:
H3782
Word #:
18 of 23
to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall
לְפָנֶ֔יךָ
before
H6440
לְפָנֶ֔יךָ
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
19 of 23
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
בְּעֵ֥ת
thus with them in the time
H6256
בְּעֵ֥ת
thus with them in the time
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
20 of 23
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
אַפְּךָ֖
of thine anger
H639
אַפְּךָ֖
of thine anger
Strong's:
H639
Word #:
21 of 23
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
Historical Context
This concludes a series of Jeremiah's laments or confessions (Jer 11:18-12:6, 15:10-21, 17:14-18, 18:18-23, 20:7-18). These personal prayers reveal the prophet's inner struggles, doubts, and appeals to God amid persecution. They became models for later Jewish and Christian prayers of lament, showing that honest wrestling with God is appropriate when facing opposition. The prayers were ultimately vindicated when judgment fell as Jeremiah prophesied.
Questions for Reflection
- How does knowing that God sees all secret plots against you provide comfort and confidence?
- What does it mean to submit to God's timing for justice rather than demanding immediate vindication?
- How do you hold in tension prayers for justice with Christ's command to forgive and love enemies?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The prayer's climax: "Yet, LORD, thou knowest all their counsel against me to slay me." Despite the conspiracy's secrecy, God knows all—nothing escapes His omniscience. This knowledge grounds Jeremiah's confidence in divine vindication. The petition "forgive not their iniquity, neither blot out their sin from thy sight" asks God not to pardon impenitent rebels. "But let them be overthrown before thee" requests their downfall under divine judgment.
"Deal thus with them in the time of thine anger" asks God to act in His own timing. Jeremiah doesn't specify when but trusts God's judgment will come. The phrase acknowledges divine prerogative regarding timing—Jeremiah submits to God's schedule, not demanding immediate action. This demonstrates mature faith that trusts not only God's justice but His timing.
The prayer's severity reflects the seriousness of rejecting God's word through His prophet. To oppose God's messenger is to oppose God Himself (Luke 10:16). Yet we must read this through the cross's lens—Christ prayed "Father, forgive them" (Luke 23:34) for those killing Him. The imprecatory psalms can be prayed against sin and Satan while we extend mercy to sinners, knowing Christ's blood provides forgiveness even for His enemies (1 Tim 1:15-16).