King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 18:23 Mean?

Jeremiah 18:23 in the King James Version says “Yet, LORD, thou knowest all their counsel against me to slay me: forgive not their iniquity, neither blot out their sin ...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. to slay: Heb. for death”

Jeremiah 18:23 · KJV

Forgiveness

Context

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.

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. to slay: Heb. for death

Read Jeremiah 18 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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).

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does knowing that God sees all secret plots against you provide comfort and confidence?
  2. What does it mean to submit to God's timing for justice rather than demanding immediate vindication?
  3. How do you hold in tension prayers for justice with Christ's command to forgive and love enemies?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וְאַתָּ֣ה1 of 23
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

יְ֠הוָה2 of 23

“Yet LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

יָדַ֜עְתָּ3 of 23

“thou knowest”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

אֶֽת4 of 23
H853

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

כָּל5 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עֲצָתָ֤ם6 of 23

“all their counsel”

H6098

advice; by implication, plan; also prudence

עָלַי֙7 of 23
H5921

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

לַמָּ֔וֶת8 of 23

“against me to slay”

H4194

death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

אַל9 of 23
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תְּכַפֵּר֙10 of 23

“me forgive”

H3722

to cover (specifically with bitumen)

עַל11 of 23
H5921

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

עֲוֹנָ֔ם12 of 23

“not their iniquity”

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

וְחַטָּאתָ֖ם13 of 23

“their sin”

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

לְפָנֶ֔יךָ14 of 23

“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

אַל15 of 23
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תֶּ֑מְחִי16 of 23

“neither blot out”

H4229

properly, to stroke or rub; by implication, to erase; also to smooth (as if with oil), i.e., grease or make fat

וְהְי֤וּ17 of 23
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

מֻכְשָׁלִים֙18 of 23

“but let them be overthrown”

H3782

to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall

לְפָנֶ֔יךָ19 of 23

“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

בְּעֵ֥ת20 of 23

“thus with them in the time”

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

אַפְּךָ֖21 of 23

“of thine anger”

H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

עֲשֵׂ֥ה22 of 23

“thee deal”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

בָהֶֽם׃23 of 23
H0

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 18:23 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 18:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 69:22-28Psalms 35:4Nehemiah 4:4-5Psalms 109:14-15Isaiah 2:9Isaiah 10:3

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