Jeremiah 18:17

KJV

I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I will shew them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity.

KJV (with Strong's)

I will scatter {H6327} them as with an east {H6921} wind {H7307} before {H6440} the enemy {H341}; I will shew {H7200} them the back {H6203}, and not the face {H6440}, in the day {H3117} of their calamity {H343}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Like a strong east wind, I will scatter them before the enemy. I will see their back, not their face, on their day of disaster.'"

Berean Standard Bible

I will scatter them before the enemy like the east wind. I will show them My back and not My face in the day of their calamity.”

American Standard Version

I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I will show them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 18:17 serves as a stark prophetic declaration of God's impending judgment upon the unrepentant kingdom of Judah. It vividly portrays the consequences of their persistent rebellion and rejection of divine instruction, foretelling a devastating scattering by external enemies, likened to the destructive force of an east wind. Furthermore, it announces God's complete withdrawal of His protective presence and favor, signifying a profound abandonment in their moment of greatest need, leaving them vulnerable and without divine aid in the "day of their calamity."

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 18:17 is situated within a pivotal section of Jeremiah's prophecy (Jeremiah 18:1-17), where the prophet is instructed by God to go to the potter's house. This visit provides a profound object lesson on God's sovereign authority over nations, likening them to clay in the potter's hands. God declares His prerogative to either build up or tear down nations based on their responsiveness to His word. Specifically, [Jeremiah 18:7-8](/jeremiah/18-7 "Jeremiah 18:7-8 - God's Conditional Decrees") illustrates that if a nation turns from evil, God will relent from the judgment He planned; conversely, [Jeremiah 18:9-10](/jeremiah/18-9 "Jeremiah 18:9-10 - God's Conditional Blessings") states that if a nation turns to evil, He will revoke the good He intended. Despite this clear exposition of divine flexibility and mercy, Judah stubbornly refused to heed God's warnings, declaring, "We will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart" ([Jeremiah 18:12](/jeremiah/18-12 "Jeremiah 18:12 - Judah's Stubborn Refusal")). Thus, verse 17 is a direct pronouncement of the inevitable and severe consequences of their unyielding disobedience in the face of God's patient yet firm appeals.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy in Jeremiah 18:17 was delivered during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, likely preceding the final Babylonian invasions. The nation had consistently engaged in idolatry, social injustice, and spiritual apostasy, despite repeated warnings from prophets like Jeremiah. The "east wind" (Hebrew: *qadîm*) was a well-known meteorological phenomenon in the ancient Near East, notorious for being hot, dry, and destructive, capable of scorching vegetation and bringing desolation. Its symbolic use here would have immediately conveyed a sense of swift, powerful, and ruinous judgment. Culturally, the imagery of "showing the back, and not the face" was a profound gesture of rejection, dishonor, and abandonment. In a society where the king or a superior would "turn their face" toward someone as a sign of favor, blessing, and attentive presence (as seen in the Aaronic blessing in [Numbers 6:25](/numbers/6-25 "Numbers 6:25 - The Priestly Blessing")), turning one's back signified utter contempt, withdrawal of protection, and leaving the recipient vulnerable to their enemies. This imagery underscored the complete cessation of God's divine aid and presence for a people who had repeatedly turned their backs on Him.

* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 18:17 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah and broader biblical theology. It highlights the theme of **Divine Judgment for Persistent Disobedience**, emphasizing that while God is merciful and patient, His justice demands accountability for unrepentant sin. The verse also underscores the theme of **Covenant Consequences**, as the scattering and abandonment prophesied are direct fulfillments of curses outlined in the Mosaic Covenant for disobedience (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28:25](/deuteronomy/28-25 "Deuteronomy 28:25 - Curses of Scattering")). Furthermore, it reinforces the **Sovereignty of God** over nations and history, demonstrating His absolute control even in the execution of judgment. Finally, the imagery of God's withdrawal of His "face" speaks to the theme of **God's Presence and Absence**, illustrating that His presence is a source of blessing and protection, while His absence, brought about by human rebellion, leads to vulnerability and calamity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **scatter (Hebrew, _pûwts'_):** From a primitive root meaning "to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse)." This word vividly conveys the violent and complete fragmentation of the people of Judah, not merely a gentle dispersion but a forceful breaking apart and scattering, much like fragments of a shattered object. It implies a loss of cohesion, identity, and security.
* **back (Hebrew, _ʻôreph'_):** Refers to "the nape or back of the neck (as declining); hence, the back generally (whether literal or figurative)." In this context, it signifies a profound turning away, a posture of rejection and abandonment. To show the back is to deny access, refuse interaction, and withdraw all favor and protection, leaving one exposed and ignored.
* **face (Hebrew, _pânîym'_):** This plural noun (but always used as singular) means "the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively)." In biblical idiom, God's "face" represents His presence, favor, blessing, and attentive regard. To not show the face, but the back, is the ultimate sign of divine displeasure, a complete withdrawal of blessing and a refusal to acknowledge or intervene on behalf of the afflicted.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy":** This clause pronounces the specific nature of the impending judgment: a forceful and widespread dispersion of the people. The "east wind" serves as a powerful simile, indicating that the scattering will be swift, destructive, and comprehensive, much like a scorching, desiccating wind that leaves nothing in its wake. The instrument of this scattering is explicitly stated as "the enemy," referring to the invading foreign powers, primarily Babylon, whom God would use as His agent of judgment.
* **"I will shew them the back, and not the face":** This profoundly impactful statement describes God's complete withdrawal of His presence, favor, and protection from Judah. Instead of turning His "face" towards them in blessing, attentiveness, and intervention, He will turn His "back," signifying utter rejection, abandonment, and a refusal to acknowledge their plight or offer aid. This gesture underscores the depth of divine displeasure and the cessation of covenantal blessing.
* **"in the day of their calamity.":** This final phrase specifies the timing and context of God's abandonment. "Calamity" refers to misfortune, ruin, or destruction. It indicates that God's turning away will occur precisely when Judah is in its most desperate state, facing the full brunt of the enemy's assault and the consequences of its sin. This emphasizes the severity of the judgment: in their hour of greatest need, they will find no divine help.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 18:17 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of impending judgment. The primary device is **Simile**, evident in "I will scatter them as with an east wind." This comparison vividly illustrates the swift, destructive, and comprehensive nature of the dispersion, leveraging the common understanding of the east wind as a force of desolation. **Anthropomorphism** is powerfully used in "I will shew them the back, and not the face." By attributing human actions (turning one's back or face) to God, the prophet conveys the profound emotional and relational aspect of God's rejection, making His displeasure tangible and relatable. This anthropomorphism also functions as **Symbolism**, where the "face" symbolizes God's benevolent presence, favor, and attentiveness, while the "back" symbolizes His complete withdrawal, abandonment, and rejection. The "east wind" itself is also a strong **Symbol** of divine judgment and destructive power throughout biblical literature, reinforcing the severity of the coming punishment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 18:17 is a stark reminder of the immutable principle that persistent rebellion against God's revealed will inevitably leads to severe consequences. It underscores God's holiness and justice, demonstrating that while He is patient and merciful, His character demands accountability for sin. This verse connects deeply with the broader biblical narrative of covenant faithfulness and the curses associated with disobedience, emphasizing that God's warnings are not empty threats but expressions of His righteous governance over His creation. The turning of God's "back" signifies a withdrawal of the very source of life, protection, and blessing, leaving the unrepentant vulnerable to the natural and spiritual consequences of their choices.

* [Leviticus 26:33](/leviticus/26-33 "Leviticus 26:33 - Scattering Among Nations")
* [Deuteronomy 28:25](/deuteronomy/28-25 "Deuteronomy 28:25 - Curses of Scattering by Enemies")
* [Hosea 13:15](/hosea/13-15 "Hosea 13:15 - The East Wind as Judgment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 18:17 serves as a timeless warning, urging us to consider the gravity of our choices and the profound implications of our relationship with God. It reminds us that while God is infinitely patient and eager to show mercy, there are real and painful consequences for persistent disobedience and spiritual apathy. This passage challenges us to cultivate a heart that is humble and responsive to God's word, recognizing that true flourishing comes from walking in obedience and continually seeking His face. To neglect God's warnings, to stubbornly pursue our own desires, or to turn our backs on His truth, is to invite a "day of calamity" where we may find ourselves without the divine presence and protection we desperately need. It calls us to repentance, to turn *to* God before He is compelled, in His justice, to turn *from* us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be stubbornly "walking after my own devices" instead of submitting to God's will?**
* **How does the imagery of God "showing His back" impact my understanding of His holiness and the seriousness of sin?**
* **What steps can I take today to ensure I am consistently "seeking God's face" and living in humble obedience?**

### FAQ

**What does the "east wind" symbolize in Jeremiah 18:17?**

Answer: The "east wind" (Hebrew: *qadîm*) in Jeremiah 18:17 symbolizes a swift, powerful, and destructive force of divine judgment. In the ancient Near East, the east wind was known for being hot, dry, and scorching, capable of devastating crops and bringing desolation. Its use here emphasizes the utterly ruinous and comprehensive nature of the scattering that God would bring upon Judah through their enemies, leaving nothing in its wake. This imagery is consistent with other biblical passages where the east wind is associated with God's wrath and destructive power, such as in [Hosea 13:15](/hosea/13-15 "Hosea 13:15 - The East Wind's Destructive Power") or [Ezekiel 17:10](/ezekiel/17-10 "Ezekiel 17:10 - The East Wind Drying Up").

**Why does God say, "I will shew them the back, and not the face"?**

Answer: This powerful anthropomorphic statement signifies God's complete withdrawal of His protective presence, favor, and blessing from Judah. In ancient Near Eastern culture, to turn one's back on someone was a profound gesture of rejection, dishonor, and abandonment. Conversely, to "make one's face shine upon" someone (as in [Numbers 6:25](/numbers/6-25 "Numbers 6:25 - The Priestly Blessing")) indicated favor, blessing, and attentive presence. By declaring He would show His back, God was conveying that He would no longer acknowledge, protect, or intervene on behalf of His people in their time of crisis. It was the ultimate sign of divine displeasure and the cessation of His covenantal aid, leaving them vulnerable to their enemies and the consequences of their unrepentant sin.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 18:17 vividly portrays God's righteous judgment against unrepentant Israel, its ultimate fulfillment and reversal are found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "scattering" and "calamity" prophesied here speak to the brokenness and alienation caused by sin, a condition from which humanity could not escape on its own. However, in Christ, God did not turn His back on humanity; instead, He turned His face *towards* us in ultimate love and mercy. On the cross, Jesus became the recipient of the divine turning away, bearing the full weight of God's judgment for sin, so that we might never experience God's "back." He was "scattered" and forsaken (as seen in [Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")) so that we might be gathered into God's family. Through His sacrifice, the curse of abandonment is reversed, and believers are now invited into the perpetual presence of God, where His "face" shines upon them with grace and peace ([2 Corinthians 4:6](/2_corinthians/4-6 "2 Corinthians 4:6 - The Light of the Knowledge of God's Glory")). The ultimate "day of calamity" for humanity was met by Christ's suffering, ensuring that for those who believe, God will never show His back, but always His loving, redeeming face.

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

Jeremiah 13:24

Therefore will I scatter them as the stubble that passeth away by the wind of the wilderness.

Jeremiah 2:27

Saying to a stock, Thou [art] my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned [their] back unto me, and not [their] face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us.

Psalms 48:7

Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.

Hosea 13:15

Though he be fruitful among [his] brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels.

Job 27:21

The east wind carrieth him away, and he departeth: and as a storm hurleth him out of his place.

Jeremiah 46:21

Also her hired men [are] in the midst of her like fatted bullocks; for they also are turned back, [and] are fled away together: they did not stand, because the day of their calamity was come upon them, [and] the time of their visitation.

Jeremiah 32:33

And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught them, rising up early and teaching [them], yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction.