Jeremiah 18:10

KJV

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 (with Strong's)

If it do {H6213} evil {H7451} in my sight {H5869}, that it obey {H8085} not my voice {H6963}, then I will repent {H5162} of the good {H2896}, wherewith I said {H559} I would benefit {H3190} them.

Complete Jewish Bible

but if it behaves wickedly from my perspective and doesn't listen to what I say, then I change my mind and don't do the good I said I would do that would have helped it.

Berean Standard Bible

and if it does evil in My sight and does not listen to My voice, then I will relent of the good I had intended for it.

American Standard Version

if they do that which is evil in my sight, that they obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 18:10, a pivotal declaration within the "Potter's House" narrative, powerfully articulates the conditional nature of God's dealings with nations and individuals. It reveals that if a people, previously designated for divine favor, persistently engages in evil and disobeys God's voice, the Lord reserves the sovereign right to withdraw the promised good. This verse profoundly underscores the dynamic interplay between human moral choices and divine action, emphasizing that God's blessings and intended benefits are contingent upon a people's faithfulness and their adherence to His revealed will.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 18:10 is an essential component of the extended prophetic oracle found in [Jeremiah 18:1-12](/jeremiah/18 "Jeremiah 18 - The Potter's House and God's Sovereignty"). The passage commences with God instructing Jeremiah to observe a potter at work. The prophet witnesses the potter reshaping a marred vessel into a new one, a vivid object lesson for Israel. Immediately following this demonstration, God declares His absolute sovereignty over nations, likening Himself to the potter and nations to the clay. He asserts His prerogative to alter His declared intentions—whether for blessing or judgment—based on the moral trajectory of a nation. Verse 10 specifically addresses the scenario where a nation turns to wickedness, serving as a direct counterpoint to [Jeremiah 18:7-9](/jeremiah/18-7-9 "Jeremiah 18:7-9 - God's Conditional Declarations of Blessing and Judgment"), which outlines God's willingness to "repent of the evil" He purposed if a nation turns from its wickedness. Together, these verses establish a comprehensive theological framework for understanding God's responsive and just governance of humanity.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah's prophetic ministry unfolded during a profoundly tumultuous era in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of several kings leading up to the devastating Babylonian exile. The nation of Judah had consistently deviated from the covenant established with God at Sinai, marked by rampant idolatry, pervasive social injustice, and profound spiritual apostasy. Jeremiah's primary calling was to summon Judah to repentance and to issue stern warnings of impending judgment should they persist in their disobedience. The imagery of the potter and clay would have resonated deeply with an agrarian society intimately familiar with such craftsmanship and its implications for shaping raw materials. Furthermore, the concept of a covenant relationship, wherein blessings were explicitly conditional upon obedience and curses upon disobedience, was deeply ingrained in Israelite theological thought, as comprehensively articulated in foundational texts like [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses of the Covenant"). Jeremiah 18:10, therefore, functions as a stark and urgent reminder to Judah of the severe consequences of their ongoing rebellion against the covenant Lord, underscoring that even prior promises of good could be revoked due to their current moral failure and spiritual infidelity.

* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 18:10 powerfully illuminates several core theological themes. Foremost among these is the **conditional nature of divine promises** and the **dynamic interaction between God and humanity**. God's declarations of blessing are not presented as absolute, unconditional guarantees, but rather as contingent upon a nation's moral and spiritual conduct. This highlights a fundamental principle of divine justice and accountability, asserting that human choices carry tangible consequences for divine action. Another crucial theme is God's "repentance" (Hebrew: _nâcham_), which, when applied to God, does not signify a change in His immutable character or eternal purpose, but rather a change in His *course of dealing* or *action* in response to human behavior. It signifies His just and sorrowful response to human sin, leading Him to alter His intended blessings to judgment. This underscores God's **sovereignty and justice**, affirming His ultimate authority over the destinies of nations and His unwavering commitment to righteous governance. The verse also serves as a potent illustration of the **consequences of disobedience**, functioning as a solemn warning that persistent rebellion against God's voice inevitably leads to the forfeiture of promised benefits and the withdrawal of divine favor.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **evil (Hebrew, _raʻ'_):** From H7451, this word denotes something "bad" or "evil" in the widest sense, encompassing both natural and moral depravity. It can refer to adversity, calamity, mischief, wickedness, or anything displeasing. In Jeremiah 18:10, it specifically refers to moral evil, actions that are inherently wrong and displeasing in God's sight, reflecting a deliberate departure from His righteous standards.
* **obey (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** From H8085, this primitive root means "to hear intelligently," often implying attention, understanding, and crucially, obedience. It signifies not merely perceiving sound, but actively listening and responding in compliance. The phrase "obey not my voice" therefore indicates a deliberate and persistent refusal to heed God's commands and instructions, demonstrating a rebellious heart and a rejection of divine authority.
* **repent (Hebrew, _nâcham'_):** From H5162, this root properly means "to sigh" or "breathe strongly." By implication, it means "to be sorry," "to pity," or "to console." When used reflexively, it can mean "to rue" or "to avenge oneself." In the context of God, as here, it refers to His deeply felt regret or sorrow over human sin, which leads Him to alter His *intended course of action* (whether blessing or judgment). It does not imply that God makes mistakes or changes His character, but rather that His dealings are just and responsive to the moral choices of His creation, demonstrating His dynamic interaction with humanity while remaining true to His unchanging nature.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If it do evil in my sight":** This clause establishes the primary condition for God's alteration of purpose. "It" refers to the nation or people previously mentioned in the context of God's dealings, particularly Israel/Judah. "Doing evil" signifies a deliberate and persistent course of action that is morally corrupt and offensive to God's holy character. The phrase "in my sight" emphasizes that God is the ultimate arbiter of good and evil, and He perceives and judges all human conduct with perfect knowledge and righteousness.
* **"that it obey not my voice":** This further clarifies and specifies the nature of the "evil." The evil is characterized by a refusal to "obey" or listen to God's "voice," which represents His commands, instructions, and revealed will. This highlights a profound rejection of divine authority and a persistent rebellion against the covenant relationship, indicating a deliberate choice to disregard God's guidance and wisdom.
* **"then I will repent of the good":** This is the direct consequence of the specified human behavior. The word "repent" (Hebrew: _nâcham_) here does not imply a change in God's perfect character or eternal plan, but rather a change in His *course of action* or *dealings* with humanity. Because the nation has turned from Him and persisted in disobedience, God will justly withdraw the "good" He had purposed for them. This demonstrates God's righteousness, His responsive nature to human moral choices, and His commitment to upholding His divine standards.
* **"wherewith I said I would benefit them":** This final clause specifies the nature of the "good" that God will "repent of." It refers to the blessings, prosperity, and well-being that God had previously declared or promised to bestow upon the nation. The word "benefit" (Hebrew: _yâṭab_) signifies making well, happy, or successful. Thus, God's withdrawal is not arbitrary but a just and righteous response to the forfeiture of the conditions under which those benefits were initially promised, reflecting His consistent application of justice.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 18:10 employs several significant literary devices that enhance its theological impact. The overarching **Metaphor** of the potter and the clay, meticulously introduced in [Jeremiah 18:1-6](/jeremiah/18-1-6 "Jeremiah 18:1-6 - The Potter and the Clay Metaphor"), frames this verse, vividly illustrating God's absolute sovereignty and His inherent right to reshape the destiny of nations based on their moral condition and responsiveness to His will. **Anthropomorphism** is prominently evident in phrases such as "in my sight" and "my voice," attributing human-like sensory perception and communication to God to make His interaction with humanity comprehensible and relatable. Similarly, God's "repenting" (Hebrew: _nâcham_) is an anthropomorphic expression of His deeply felt sorrowful response to human sin, which leads to a change in His *action* or *dealings* rather than any alteration in His immutable character. The verse itself is structured as a clear **Conditional Statement**, employing an explicit "If... then..." clause. This rhetorical structure precisely links human behavior (doing evil, disobeying God's voice) to divine consequence (God's withdrawal of promised good), powerfully emphasizing the direct cause-and-effect relationship between obedience and blessing, and disobedience and the forfeiture of divine favor.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 18:10 profoundly illustrates God's dynamic and righteous governance over His creation. It teaches that while God is sovereign and unchanging in His character and eternal purposes, His dealings with humanity are inherently responsive to human moral choices. His "repentance" is not a sign of imperfection or a change of mind in the human sense, but rather a consistent application of His justice and mercy, demonstrating that He is not bound by His initial declarations if the recipients of His promises fail to uphold their end of the implicit or explicit covenant relationship. This principle of conditional blessing and judgment underscores the critical importance of human accountability and the continuous, urgent call to repentance. It reveals a God who genuinely desires to bless but will justly withdraw favor when His people persistently turn to evil and disregard His voice, maintaining His holiness and righteousness in all His interactions.

* [Jeremiah 18:8](/jeremiah/18-8 "Jeremiah 18:8 - God Relents from Evil") directly complements this verse, demonstrating God's willingness to "repent of the evil" He purposed if a nation turns from wickedness, highlighting His profound mercy alongside His unwavering justice.
* [Jonah 3:10](/jonah/3-10 "God Relents from Disaster for Nineveh") provides a powerful historical example of God relenting from a declared judgment when the people of Nineveh genuinely repented, underscoring the responsive and compassionate nature of God's dealings with humanity.
* [Malachi 3:6](/malachi/3-6 "Malachi 3:6 - God's Unchanging Nature") affirms God's unchanging nature ("For I am the LORD, I change not"), which helps us understand that God's "repentance" in Jeremiah 18:10 is not a change in His essential character but a consistent exercise of His righteous attributes in dynamic response to human free will and moral choices.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 18:10 serves as a timeless and profound reminder for individuals, communities, and nations today regarding the vital importance of living in alignment with God's revealed will. It challenges any notion of unconditional divine favor, emphasizing that continued blessings are often contingent upon our responsiveness to God's commands and moral standards. This verse calls us to a posture of deep humility and constant self-examination, urging us to honestly consider whether our actions, attitudes, and collective trajectory are truly pleasing in God's sight. It underscores that persistent disobedience and a willful disregard for God's "voice" can tragically lead to the forfeiture of the very good He desires to bestow upon us. Far from portraying an arbitrary or fickle God, this passage reveals a God who is perfectly just, immutably righteous, and deeply responsive to the moral choices of His creation, always desiring our ultimate good but upholding His perfect standards. It encourages a dynamic, living relationship with God, where faithfulness is profoundly rewarded and straying inevitably has consequences, inviting us to walk in continuous obedience and diligently seek His face in every aspect of our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life might I be "doing evil in God's sight" or "not obeying His voice," potentially hindering the "good" He desires for me and those around me?**
* **How does understanding God's "repentance" (as a change in His course of action, not His character) deepen my appreciation for His justice, His mercy, and His active engagement with humanity?**
* **What practical and intentional steps can I take to cultivate a greater responsiveness to God's voice and align my daily life more fully with His holy and loving will?**

### FAQ
**Does God literally "repent" in the same way humans do, implying a change of mind or regret over a mistake?**

Answer: No, when the Bible states that God "repents" (Hebrew: _nâcham_), it does not imply that God makes mistakes, changes His perfect character, or experiences regret in the human sense of remorse for wrongdoing. As [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God is Not a Man That He Should Lie or Repent") unequivocally states, "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent." Instead, when applied to God, "repent" signifies a change in His *course of action* or *dealings* with humanity in response to human moral choices. In Jeremiah 18:10, it means God will alter His *intended* blessing because the people have changed their behavior from good to evil. It demonstrates God's dynamic interaction with His creation, where His actions are consistently righteous and responsive to the moral trajectory of His people, upholding His justice and holiness. This is a consistent exercise of His unchanging attributes, not a deviation from them.

**How does this verse reconcile with the idea of God's unchanging nature?**

Answer: Jeremiah 18:10, along with other passages where God "repents," perfectly reconciles with God's unchanging nature (e.g., [Malachi 3:6](/malachi/3-6 "Malachi 3:6 - God's Unchanging Nature")). God's nature, character, and eternal purposes are immutable; He is always holy, just, loving, and merciful. However, His *dealings* with humanity are conditional and responsive to human free will and moral choices. When God "repents of the good," it's not because He has changed His mind about being good, but because the conditions under which He promised that good have been violated by human disobedience. His action is a consistent application of His unchanging justice and righteousness, demonstrating that He is a God who rewards obedience and justly responds to rebellion. It's a change in His *relationship* with a people based on their actions, not a change in His *essence* or character.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 18:10, with its profound emphasis on conditional blessings and divine responsiveness to human obedience, finds its ultimate fulfillment and redefinition in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Under the Old Covenant, the promise of "good" and the threat of its withdrawal were inextricably tied to Israel's adherence to the Mosaic Law, a standard no human could perfectly maintain, leading to a relentless cycle of sin, judgment, and temporary restoration. Christ, however, perfectly fulfilled the Law, living a life of absolute and unwavering obedience to God's voice, even to the point of His sacrificial death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). Through His perfect obedience, Jesus secured the ultimate "good" of salvation and eternal life, not based on our flawed performance, but entirely on His perfect and atoning sacrifice. For those who are "in Christ," the promise of God's "good" is no longer contingent on our ability to perfectly obey the Law, but on our faith in His finished work ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")). While the principle of consequences for disobedience remains a reality, the New Covenant offers a new and superior basis for relationship: forgiveness, reconciliation, and lavish grace through Christ's atoning work ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")). God's "repenting of the good" for a disobedient people under the Old Covenant foreshadows His ultimate "repentance" from wrath for all who believe in His Son, turning His face from judgment to boundless grace because of 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")). In Christ, the ultimate "good" is secured, and our access to it is through His perfect obedience and sacrifice, allowing God to be both perfectly just and the gracious justifier of all who have faith in Jesus ([Romans 3:26](/romans/3-26 "Romans 3:26 - God is Just and the Justifier")).

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

Ezekiel 33:18

When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby.

1 Samuel 2:30

Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed [that] thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

Ezekiel 18:24

But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, [and] doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked [man] doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.

1 Samuel 13:13

And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.

1 Samuel 15:11

It repenteth me that I have set up Saul [to be] king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.

Psalms 125:5

As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: [but] peace [shall be] upon Israel.

Jeremiah 7:23

But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.