Jeremiah 26:3
If 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.
Original Language Analysis
יִשְׁמְע֔וּ
If so be they will hearken
H8085
יִשְׁמְע֔וּ
If so be they will hearken
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
2 of 17
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
וְיָשֻׁ֕בוּ
and turn
H7725
וְיָשֻׁ֕בוּ
and turn
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
3 of 17
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
אִ֖ישׁ
every man
H376
אִ֖ישׁ
every man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
4 of 17
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)
מִדַּרְכּ֣וֹ
way
H1870
מִדַּרְכּ֣וֹ
way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
5 of 17
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
וְנִחַמְתִּ֣י
that I may repent
H5162
וְנִחַמְתִּ֣י
that I may repent
Strong's:
H5162
Word #:
7 of 17
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
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
חֹשֵׁב֙
which I purpose
H2803
חֹשֵׁב֙
which I purpose
Strong's:
H2803
Word #:
12 of 17
properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou
לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת
to do
H6213
לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת
to do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
13 of 17
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
מִפְּנֵ֖י
unto them because
H6440
מִפְּנֵ֖י
unto them because
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
15 of 17
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
Cross References
Jeremiah 36:3It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.Jeremiah 36:7It may be they will present their supplication before the LORD, and will return every one from his evil way: for great is the anger and the fury that the LORD hath pronounced against this people.Jonah 4:2And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.1 Kings 21:29Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: but in his son's days will I bring the evil upon his house.1 Kings 21:27And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.
Historical Context
This sermon was delivered early in Jehoiakim's reign (609 BC), giving Judah one more opportunity to repent before the irreversible judgment prophesied later.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's willingness to relent from judgment display His character?
- What does this teach about the relationship between divine sovereignty and human responsibility?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God's willingness to relent from judgment upon repentance reveals His mercy as primary motivation. The phrase 'If so be they will hearken' shows judgment is not God's desire but His response to persistent rebellion. Divine immutability doesn't mean God's actions never change; it means His character and purposes remain constant while His dealings with people respond to their choices. This reflects God's covenantal nature.