Jeremiah 10:18

KJV

For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will sling out the inhabitants of the land at this once, and will distress them, that they may find [it so].

KJV (with Strong's)

For thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, Behold, I will sling {H7049} out the inhabitants {H3427} of the land {H776} at this once {H6471}, and will distress {H6887} them, that they may find {H4672} it so.

Complete Jewish Bible

for here is what ADONAI says: "At this time I am slinging away the inhabitants of the land; I will distress them, so that they will feel it."

Berean Standard Bible

For this is what the LORD says: “Behold, at this time I will sling out the inhabitants of the land and bring distress upon them so that they may be captured.”

American Standard Version

For thus saith Jehovah, Behold, I will sling out the inhabitants of the land at this time, and will distress them, that they may feel it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 10:18 delivers a stark prophetic declaration from the Lord concerning the imminent and decisive judgment upon the inhabitants of Judah. It reveals God's sovereign intent to forcefully expel them from their land and subject them to profound distress, a consequence designed to bring about a painful realization of their predicament and the truth of His word. This verse serves as a potent reminder of divine justice and the inescapable consequences of rebellion against the living God, particularly in the context of Judah's widespread idolatry.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 10:18 appears within a pivotal chapter that powerfully contrasts the living God with the lifeless idols worshipped by the nations and, tragically, by Judah. The preceding verses (Jeremiah 10:1-16) are a scathing polemic against idolatry, vividly describing the futility of man-made gods and extolling the incomparable power and majesty of the Lord, the true Creator. Verse 17 serves as an immediate precursor, a somber warning to "gather up your wares from the land, O inhabitant of the fortress," implicitly signaling the impending exile and the need for the people to prepare for displacement. Jeremiah 10:18 then shifts from the general indictment of idolatry to the specific, divinely ordained action against Judah, directly linking their sin to the coming judgment. It is a pronouncement of the inevitable outcome of their spiritual rebellion, serving as a grim fulfillment of the warnings articulated throughout the book.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Jeremiah was delivered during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of Josiah, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah (late 7th to early 6th century BCE). This era was marked by increasing political instability, with Judah caught between the declining Assyrian Empire and the rising powers of Egypt and Babylon. Spiritually, despite Josiah's reforms, the people largely reverted to widespread idolatry, syncretism, and social injustice, mirroring the very practices condemned in Jeremiah 10. The "inhabitants of the land" refers specifically to the people of Judah, who had persistently violated their covenant with Yahweh. The "slinging out" imagery would have resonated with a people familiar with military sieges and the subsequent deportation of conquered populations, a common practice of empires like Assyria and Babylon. The impending "distress" was not merely abstract but pointed to the horrors of siege, famine, disease, and forced exile, culminating in the Babylonian captivity.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 10:18 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment and Retribution**, demonstrating that God's warnings are not empty threats but carry severe consequences for disobedience, particularly idolatry. This judgment is not arbitrary but a righteous response to Judah's persistent rebellion against the covenant. Secondly, it reinforces God's **Absolute Sovereignty and Power**, contrasting sharply with the impotence of idols described earlier in the chapter. The Lord is depicted as the active agent of history, capable of executing His will decisively, even to the point of displacing an entire nation. This highlights His control over human destiny and national affairs, as seen in passages like [Jeremiah 18:7-10](/jeremiah/18-7 "Jeremiah 18:7-10 - The Potter and the Clay"). Thirdly, the verse speaks to the **Purpose of Suffering**, suggesting that the "distress" is not merely punitive but has a didactic purpose: "that they may find [it so]." This implies a painful realization or acknowledgment of the truth of God's pronouncements, potentially leading to repentance or, at the very least, a recognition of their folly, echoing the idea that affliction can lead to seeking God, as in [Hosea 5:15](/hosea/5-15 "Hosea 5:15 - Seeking God in Affliction").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **saith (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** From H559, a primitive root meaning "to say (used with great latitude)." In this context, it signifies a divine declaration, an authoritative pronouncement from the Lord Himself. It emphasizes that the coming judgment is not a human prediction but a direct, certain word from the self-existent and eternal God (H3068, Yᵉhôvâh), underscoring its absolute truth and inevitability.
* **sling out (Hebrew, _qâlaʻ'_):** From H7049, a primitive root meaning "to sling; also to carve." Here, it vividly describes a forceful, sudden, and violent expulsion, much like a stone hurled from a sling. This imagery conveys the irresistible nature of God's judgment and the swift, widespread scattering of the people, leaving them with no means of resistance or escape.
* **distress (Hebrew, _tsârar'_):** From H6887, a primitive root meaning "to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive." It denotes bringing into straits, causing trouble, hardship, or severe affliction. The purpose of this distress is not random but purposeful, designed to create a painful, inescapable situation that forces the inhabitants to confront their reality and the consequences of their actions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For thus saith the LORD,"**: This opening phrase establishes the divine authority and certainty of the pronouncement. It is not Jeremiah's opinion or a human prediction, but a direct revelation from YHWH, the covenant-keeping God of Israel. This immediately imbues the following words with ultimate truth and power.
* **"Behold, I will sling out the inhabitants of the land"**: The interjection "Behold" (often translated "Look!") draws immediate attention to a momentous and certain event. The Lord Himself declares His intention to "sling out" (a violent, forceful expulsion) the people who dwell in the land of Judah. This is a direct, active, and personal intervention by God, signifying their imminent and unavoidable removal from their homeland.
* **"at this once,"**: This phrase emphasizes the immediacy, decisiveness, and singular nature of the judgment. It implies that the expulsion will be swift, comprehensive, and definitive, a "one-time" event that irrevocably alters their national existence, leaving no room for delay or reversal. It highlights the finality of this particular act of divine discipline.
* **"and will distress them,"**: Following the expulsion, God's action will lead directly to severe hardship, trouble, and anguish for the exiled people. This distress is an intentional part of the divine plan, not merely a byproduct of their removal. It speaks to the suffering, loss, and difficult conditions they will endure in captivity.
* **"that they may find [it so]."**: This concluding clause reveals the ultimate purpose behind the distress. The suffering is designed to bring about a painful realization or acknowledgment of the truth of God's warnings, the reality of their sin, and the consequences of their rebellion. It's a forced encounter with the undeniable truth of their situation, intended to break their stubbornness and bring them to a point of recognition, whether for repentance or simply to acknowledge God's righteous judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 10:18 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, specifically the image of "slinging out." This vivid metaphor of a stone being hurled from a sling powerfully communicates the swiftness, force, and irresistible nature of God's judgment and the subsequent scattering of the people. It evokes a sense of being forcefully ejected, without control or ability to resist. The phrase "at this once" functions as an **Idiom** or a temporal marker, emphasizing the singular, decisive, and immediate nature of the impending judgment, suggesting a finality to this particular act of divine discipline. The entire verse also functions as a form of **Prophetic Declaration**, a direct and authoritative pronouncement from God, characterized by its direct address ("thus saith the LORD") and its focus on future, divinely ordained events. The **Parallelism** between "sling out" and "distress them" highlights two facets of the same divine action: the physical removal and the subsequent suffering, both intentionally orchestrated by God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 10:18 serves as a profound theological statement on God's justice, sovereignty, and the consequences of covenant infidelity. It underscores the biblical principle that while God is merciful and patient, His holiness demands that sin be addressed, and persistent rebellion will inevitably lead to judgment. This judgment is not capricious but purposeful, designed to reveal the truth of God's word and the folly of idolatry. The "distress" is a means by which God brings people to a painful but necessary realization of their spiritual state and His absolute authority. This divine discipline, though severe, often carries an underlying redemptive intent, aiming to bring about a turning back to God, even if through hardship.

* [Deuteronomy 28:64](/deuteronomy/28-64 "Deuteronomy 28:64 - Scattering Among Nations")
* [Leviticus 26:33](/leviticus/26-33 "Leviticus 26:33 - Dispersion for Disobedience")
* [Isaiah 5:13](/isaiah/5-13 "Isaiah 5:13 - Exile Due to Lack of Knowledge")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 10:18 offers a sobering but vital truth for believers today: God's word is living and active, carrying real consequences when ignored. While we live under the new covenant of grace, the principles of divine justice and the seriousness of sin remain. This verse calls us to examine our own lives for any form of "idolatry"—anything that takes the place of God in our hearts, whether it be material possessions, worldly approval, self-reliance, or even spiritual apathy. When we stray from God's path, He may allow or bring about forms of "distress" in our lives, not out of malice, but out of a loving desire to draw us back to Himself, to expose our misplaced trust, and to lead us to a deeper, more authentic relationship with Him. This distress, though painful, can be a crucible for spiritual growth, forcing us to "find it so"—to acknowledge the truth of our condition and the supremacy of God. It encourages us to heed His warnings, to trust in His sovereignty even in difficult times, and to remember that His ultimate desire is our restoration and conformity to His will, even if it requires a period of painful realization.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "idols" or misplaced trusts might be present in my own life that could lead to spiritual "distress"?**
* **How do I respond when God allows or brings about difficult circumstances in my life? Do I seek to "find it so" and learn from the experience, or do I resist and blame?**
* **In what ways does this verse remind me of God's unwavering sovereignty and the seriousness of His word?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper obedience to God's commands now, so as to avoid unnecessary distress in the future?**

### FAQ
**What does "sling out the inhabitants of the land" mean in a practical sense?**

Answer: In a practical sense, "sling out the inhabitants of the land" refers to the forcible expulsion and deportation of the people of Judah from their homeland. This was a common practice of ancient empires like Babylon, who would conquer a nation, destroy its cities (like Jerusalem), and then deport its population to other parts of their empire. This act was meant to break the national identity, prevent rebellion, and provide labor or populate other areas. For Judah, it meant the Babylonian exile, a period of forced displacement and captivity that lasted for seventy years, as prophesied in [Jeremiah 25:11](/jeremiah/25-11 "Jeremiah 25:11 - Seventy Years of Babylonian Captivity").

**What is the significance of "at this once"?**

Answer: The phrase "at this once" (Hebrew: `paʻam`) signifies a singular, decisive, and immediate action. It emphasizes the finality and comprehensiveness of the impending judgment. It's not a series of minor skirmishes or a gradual decline, but a definitive, one-time act of God that will irrevocably alter the state of Judah. It underscores the idea that when God's patience runs out and His judgment falls, it will be swift and absolute, leaving no room for doubt or reversal of that specific event. It highlights the severity and certainty of the divine decree.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 10:18 speaks of God's judgment upon rebellious Israel, its ultimate fulfillment and redemptive purpose are profoundly illuminated through the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "distress" and "slinging out" foreshadow the ultimate consequence of sin—separation from God. However, Christ, the true Israel, uniquely experienced being "slung out" and "distressed" on behalf of humanity. He was cast out of the city to suffer on the cross ([Hebrews 13:12](/hebrews/13-12 "Hebrews 13:12 - Jesus Suffered Outside the Gate")), enduring the ultimate distress and separation from God, crying out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")). Through His voluntary suffering and expulsion, He became the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), offering a way for humanity to escape the eternal "slinging out" from God's presence. Those who trust in Him are no longer destined for judgment but are brought near by His blood ([Ephesians 2:13](/ephesians/2-13 "Ephesians 2:13 - Brought Near by the Blood of Christ")), finding true peace and reconciliation, fulfilling the deeper purpose of God's discipline not through punitive exile, but through redemptive sacrifice. In Christ, the "distress" leads not to despair, but to eternal life and restoration ([Romans 5:1-2](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1-2 - Peace with God Through Faith")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 25:29

Yet a man is risen to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul: but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the LORD thy God; and the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out, [as out] of the middle of a sling.

Zechariah 1:6

But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.

Jeremiah 16:13

Therefore will I cast you out of this land into a land that ye know not, [neither] ye nor your fathers; and there shall ye serve other gods day and night; where I will not shew you favour.

Ezekiel 6:10

And they shall know that I [am] the LORD, [and that] I have not said in vain that I would do this evil unto them.

Jeremiah 23:20

The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly.

Jeremiah 15:1

¶ Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, [yet] my mind [could] not [be] toward this people: cast [them] out of my sight, and let them go forth.

Jeremiah 15:2

And it shall come to pass, if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith the LORD; Such as [are] for death, to death; and such as [are] for the sword, to the sword; and such as [are] for the famine, to the famine; and such as [are] for the captivity, to the captivity.