King James Version
Jeremiah 18:8 in the King James Version says “If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unt...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“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.”
Jeremiah 18:8 · KJV
O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.
At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it;
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.
And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it;
If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.
KJV Study — Public Domain
“turn”
H7725to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
“If that nation”
H1471a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
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
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
“against whom I have pronounced”
H1696perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
“I will repent”
H5162properly, 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
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
“that I thought”
H2803properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou
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.
Jeremiah 18:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Jeremiah 18:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge