King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 18:20 Mean?

Jeremiah 18:20 in the King James Version says “Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have digged a pit for my soul. Remember that I stood before thee to speak g...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have digged a pit for my soul. Remember that I stood before thee to speak good for them, and to turn away thy wrath from them.”

Jeremiah 18:20 · KJV

Context

18

Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words. with: or, for the tongue

19

Give heed to me, O LORD, and hearken to the voice of them that contend with me.

20

Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have digged a pit for my soul. Remember that I stood before thee to speak good for them, and to turn away thy wrath from them.

21

Therefore deliver up their children to the famine, and pour out their blood by the force of the sword; and let their wives be bereaved of their children, and be widows; and let their men be put to death; let their young men be slain by the sword in battle. pour: Heb. pour them out

22

Let a cry be heard from their houses, when thou shalt bring a troop suddenly upon them: for they have digged a pit to take me, and hid snares for my feet.

Read Jeremiah 18 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jeremiah protests the injustice: "Shall evil be recompensed for good?" The rhetorical question expects a negative answer—it's morally outrageous that good deeds receive evil payment. "For they have digged a pit for my soul"—the imagery depicts hunters setting traps for prey. Despite Jeremiah's faithful ministry, his audience plots his destruction.

"Remember that I stood before thee to speak good for them, and to turn away thy wrath from them"—powerful intercessory language. Jeremiah reminds God (and himself) that he faithfully interceded for his persecutors, seeking to avert divine judgment through their repentance. Like Moses (Ex 32:11-14, 30-32) and Samuel (1 Sam 7:5-9, 12:23), Jeremiah fulfilled the prophetic role of standing between God and people, pleading for mercy.

This verse anticipates Christ, the ultimate Intercessor who prayed for His executioners (Luke 23:34) and continually intercedes for His people (Heb 7:25, Rom 8:34). While Jeremiah's intercession proved insufficient to save Judah, Christ's intercession perfectly accomplishes salvation for all who come to God through Him. The pattern: God's servants suffer unjustly while serving others' spiritual good, pointing to the Suffering Servant who bore sins of many (Isa 53:12).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Prophetic intercession was a standard role—Moses, Samuel, Elijah, Daniel, and others stood between God and people, pleading for mercy during judgment. Priestly and prophetic offices both included intercessory functions. Jeremiah's intercession for Judah appears throughout his prophecy (Jer 14:7-9, 11-22, 15:1, 18:20), though God eventually forbade further intercession because judgment was sealed (Jer 7:16, 11:14, 14:11).

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you respond when good deeds receive evil payment—with bitterness or continued faithfulness?
  2. What does it mean to stand before God interceding for those who oppose or hurt you?
  3. How does Christ's perfect intercession for sinners, including His enemies, transform your approach to prayer and forgiveness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
הַיְשֻׁלַּ֤ם1 of 18

“be recompensed”

H7999

to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate

תַּֽחַת2 of 18
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

טוֹבָ֔ה3 of 18

“for good”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

רָעָ֔ה4 of 18

“Shall evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

כִּֽי5 of 18
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

כָר֥וּ6 of 18

“for they have digged”

H3738

properly, to dig; figuratively, to plot; generally, to bore or open

שׁוּחָ֖ה7 of 18

“a pit”

H7745

a chasm

לְנַפְשִׁ֑י8 of 18

“for my soul”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

זְכֹ֣ר׀9 of 18

“Remember”

H2142

properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male

עָמְדִ֣י10 of 18

“that I stood”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

לְפָנֶ֗יךָ11 of 18

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

לְדַבֵּ֤ר12 of 18

“thee to speak”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

עֲלֵיהֶם֙13 of 18
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

טוֹבָ֔ה14 of 18

“for good”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

לְהָשִׁ֥יב15 of 18

“for them and to turn away”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֶת16 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

חֲמָתְךָ֖17 of 18

“thy wrath”

H2534

heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)

מֵהֶֽם׃18 of 18
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 18:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 18:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 57:6Psalms 35:7Psalms 106:23Psalms 35:121 Samuel 24:17-19Ecclesiastes 10:8

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