Jeremiah 18:8
If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.
Original Language Analysis
וְשָׁב֙
turn
H7725
וְשָׁב֙
turn
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
1 of 14
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
הַגּ֣וֹי
If that nation
H1471
הַגּ֣וֹי
If that nation
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
2 of 14
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
הַה֔וּא
H1931
הַה֔וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
3 of 14
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבַּ֖רְתִּי
against whom I have pronounced
H1696
דִּבַּ֖רְתִּי
against whom I have pronounced
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
6 of 14
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
עָלָ֑יו
H5921
עָלָ֑יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
7 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְנִֽחַמְתִּי֙
I will repent
H5162
וְנִֽחַמְתִּי֙
I will repent
Strong's:
H5162
Word #:
8 of 14
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 #:
9 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
חָשַׁ֖בְתִּי
that I thought
H2803
חָשַׁ֖בְתִּי
that I thought
Strong's:
H2803
Word #:
12 of 14
properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou
Cross References
Ezekiel 18:21But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.Jeremiah 26:13Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you.Hosea 11:8How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.Jeremiah 26:3If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings.Judges 2:18And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them.Psalms 106:45And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.Psalms 90:13Return, O LORD, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants.Psalms 135:14For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.Exodus 32:12Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.Deuteronomy 32:36For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left.
Historical Context
Biblical examples of nations averting judgment through repentance include Nineveh (Jonah 3) and, to a degree, Judah under Hezekiah (2 Kgs 18-19, Isa 36-39). God's willingness to relent of threatened judgment appears throughout Scripture (Ex 32:14, Amos 7:3, 6). False prophets exploited this principle by promising peace without repentance (Jer 6:14, 8:11), but true prophets maintained that only genuine repentance averts judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's willingness to relent of judgment when people repent demonstrate His character and purposes?
- What does this verse teach about the purpose of prophetic warnings and preaching?
- How should this principle of conditional judgment shape Christian witness and evangelism?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The crucial qualification: "If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them." This conditional "if" transforms the threatened judgment into a warning rather than an unconditional decree. God's willingness to "repent" (Hebrew nacham, נָחַם—relent, change course, have compassion) demonstrates divine responsiveness to human repentance.
The phrase "I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them" requires careful theological interpretation. God's "repenting" doesn't indicate He made a mistake or changed His mind capriciously. Rather, it describes His consistent character responding appropriately to changed human circumstances. When humans repent, God's response changes from judgment to mercy—not because He's fickle but because He's faithful to His character as merciful and gracious (Ex 34:6-7).
This verse grounds the entire prophetic ministry of warning. If judgment were unconditionally decreed, prophetic preaching would be pointless. But because God genuinely offers the possibility of averting judgment through repentance, prophets urgently call for repentance. Jonah's ministry to Nineveh perfectly illustrates this principle (Jonah 3:10). God's desire is always to save, not destroy—making Christ's coming the ultimate expression of divine compassion.