King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 26:13 Mean?

Jeremiah 26:13 in the King James Version says “Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent him of ... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Therefore 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.

Jeremiah 26:13 · KJV


Context

11

Then spake the priests and the prophets unto the princes and to all the people, saying, This man is worthy to die; for he hath prophesied against this city, as ye have heard with your ears. This man: Heb. The judgment of death is for this man

12

Then spake Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all the people, saying, The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard.

13

Therefore 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.

14

As for me, behold, I am in your hand: do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you. as: Heb. as it is good and right in your eyes

15

But know ye for certain, that if ye put me to death, ye shall surely bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof: for of a truth the LORD hath sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jeremiah calls the people to 'amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God.' This represents genuine repentance - not merely feeling sorry but changing behavior. The promise 'the LORD will repent him of the evil' shows God's readiness to show mercy upon repentance. But repentance must be real, not superficial.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This call to amendment comes after the death sentence is pronounced. Even at the last moment, genuine repentance could avert judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. What's the difference between regret and genuine repentance?
  2. How does God's readiness to 'repent of the evil' demonstrate His mercy?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְעַתָּ֗ה1 of 15
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

הֵיטִ֤יבוּ2 of 15

Therefore now amend

H3190

to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)

דַרְכֵיכֶם֙3 of 15

your ways

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

וּמַ֣עַלְלֵיכֶ֔ם4 of 15

and your doings

H4611

an act (good or bad)

וְשִׁמְע֕וּ5 of 15

and obey

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

בְּק֖וֹל6 of 15

the voice

H6963

a voice or sound

יְהוָ֔ה7 of 15

and the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֑ם8 of 15

your God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וְיִנָּחֵ֣ם9 of 15

will repent

H5162

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

יְהוָ֔ה10 of 15

and the LORD

H3068

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

אֶל11 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָ֣רָעָ֔ה12 of 15

him of the evil

H7451

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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר13 of 15
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

דִּבֶּ֖ר14 of 15

that he hath pronounced

H1696

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

עֲלֵיכֶֽם׃15 of 15
H5921

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


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 26:13 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 26:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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