King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 29:18 Mean?

Jeremiah 29:18 in the King James Version says “And I will persecute them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be removed ... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And I will persecute them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be removed to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, and an astonishment, and an hissing, and a reproach, among all the nations whither I have driven them: to be a curse: Heb. for a curse

Jeremiah 29:18 · KJV


Context

16

Know that thus saith the LORD of the king that sitteth upon the throne of David, and of all the people that dwelleth in this city, and of your brethren that are not gone forth with you into captivity;

17

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will send upon them the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, and will make them like vile figs, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.

18

And I will persecute them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be removed to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, and an astonishment, and an hissing, and a reproach, among all the nations whither I have driven them: to be a curse: Heb. for a curse

19

Because they have not hearkened to my words, saith the LORD, which I sent unto them by my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them; but ye would not hear, saith the LORD.

20

Hear ye therefore the word of the LORD, all ye of the captivity, whom I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And I will persecute them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence—The verb רָדַף (radaf, persecute/pursue) portrays God as relentless hunter, not passive observer. The same triad repeats for emphasis: judgment is certain, comprehensive, and covenant-based. God doesn't merely allow consequences—He actively pursues those who persist in covenant rebellion.

And will deliver them to be removed to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, and an astonishment, and an hissing, and a reproach—This fourfold description of exile's horror (לְזַעֲוָה לְשַׁמָּה לִשְׁרֵקָה וּלְחֶרְפָּה, leza'avah leshamah lishreqah ulecherpah) fulfills Deuteronomy 28:25, 37. They become not merely exiled but bywords of divine wrath—living cautionary tales among the nations. Yet remarkably, later prophets transform these same terms: Isaiah 60-62 reverses the curse, and the nations eventually bless themselves by Abraham's seed (Gen 22:18).

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Historical & Cultural Context

This prophecy was fulfilled when Jerusalem fell in 586 BC and survivors scattered to Egypt, Babylon, and beyond. The Diaspora became proverbial (Deut 28:37), yet paradoxically, this dispersion planted seeds for the gospel's global spread (Acts 2:5-11). God's judgments serve His redemptive purposes.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's active pursuit of rebels unto judgment reveal His holiness and covenant faithfulness?
  2. When Israel became a 'hissing and reproach,' how did this prepare the way for Christ to bear that shame on the cross (Isa 53:3)?
  3. How can divine judgment serve redemptive purposes? What seeds of gospel were planted through Israel's dispersion?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וְרָֽדַפְתִּי֙1 of 19

And I will persecute

H7291

to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)

אַֽחֲרֵיהֶ֔ם2 of 19

them

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

בַּחֶ֖רֶב3 of 19

with the sword

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

בָּרָעָ֣ב4 of 19

with the famine

H7458

hunger (more or less extensive)

וּבַדָּ֑בֶר5 of 19

and with the pestilence

H1698

a pestilence

וּנְתַתִּ֨ים6 of 19

and will deliver

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לְזַוֲעָ֜ה7 of 19
H2113

agitation, fear

לְכֹ֣ל׀8 of 19
H3605

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

מַמְלְכ֣וֹת9 of 19

to all the kingdoms

H4467

dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)

הָאָ֗רֶץ10 of 19

of the earth

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

לְאָלָ֤ה11 of 19

to be a curse

H423

an imprecation

וּלְשַׁמָּה֙12 of 19

and an astonishment

H8047

ruin; by implication, consternation

וְלִשְׁרֵקָ֣ה13 of 19

and an hissing

H8322

a derision

וּלְחֶרְפָּ֔ה14 of 19

and a reproach

H2781

contumely, disgrace, the pudenda

בְּכָל15 of 19
H3605

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

הַגּוֹיִ֖ם16 of 19

among all the nations

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

אֲשֶׁר17 of 19
H834

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

הִדַּחְתִּ֥ים18 of 19

whither I have driven

H5080

to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.)

שָֽׁם׃19 of 19
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence


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 29:18 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 29:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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