Jeremiah 10:18

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].

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.

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."

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.”

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.

Jeremiah 10:18 KJV Commentary

Context of Jeremiah 10:18

Jeremiah 10 stands as a powerful prophetic declaration, primarily contrasting the living God with the lifeless idols worshipped by the nations and, tragically, by Judah itself. The chapter opens with a stern warning against learning the ways of the heathen and fearing signs in the heavens, which are mere superstitions compared to the true, creator God. Verses 1-16 vividly describe the futility and powerlessness of man-made idols compared to the Lord, who is the true and living God. Jeremiah 10:18 then shifts abruptly to the impending judgment upon the people of Judah, a direct consequence of their widespread idolatry and rebellion against God's covenant. It follows verse 17, which implicitly warns the inhabitants to prepare for exile, setting the stage for the Lord's decisive action.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Consequences: This verse underscores the Lord's unwavering commitment to righteous judgment. The "slinging out" of inhabitants is a stark metaphor for the coming Babylonian exile, a direct consequence of Judah's persistent sin, particularly their idolatry and rejection of God's warnings.
  • God's Sovereignty and Power: In contrast to the impotent idols discussed earlier in the chapter, this verse highlights the Lord's absolute power and control over nations and their destinies. He is not merely a passive observer but an active participant in history, capable of executing His will decisively.
  • The Severity of God's Word: The phrase "at this once" suggests a swift, decisive, and inescapable judgment. It emphasizes that God's warnings are not empty threats but carry real, painful implications when ignored. The distress is not random but purposeful, designed to make them "find [it so]"—to experience and acknowledge the truth of God's pronouncements and the reality of their predicament.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew verb translated "sling out" (קָלַע - qala') vividly describes a forceful, sudden expulsion, much like a stone hurled from a sling. This imagery conveys the violence and irresistibility of the impending judgment and the scattering of the people. The phrase "distress them" (הֵצֵר - hetser) means to bring into straits, to cause trouble or hardship. The ultimate purpose, "that they may find [it so]" (לְמַעַן יִמְצְאוּ - lema'an yimtse'u), implies that the suffering is intended to lead to a painful realization or acknowledgment of the truth of God's words and their own dire situation, potentially leading to repentance or simply a recognition of their folly. This echoes themes found in verses like Hosea 5:15.

Practical Application and Reflection

Jeremiah 10:18 serves as a timeless reminder that God's word is true and carries significant consequences. For believers today, it emphasizes the importance of wholeheartedly trusting in the one true God and avoiding any form of spiritual idolatry—whether it be the worship of material possessions, worldly success, or self-reliance. When we stray from God's path, there can be painful "distress" that forces us to confront our choices and return to Him. This verse encourages us to heed God's warnings, to recognize His sovereignty, and to understand that even in moments of severe discipline, there is often a divine purpose: to lead us to a deeper understanding of truth and a renewed relationship with Him. It's a call to genuine faith and obedience, knowing that God's ultimate desire is for our restoration, even if it requires a period of painful realization.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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