Jeremiah 18:20

Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have digged a pit for my soul. Remember that I stood before thee to speak good for them, [and] to turn away thy wrath from them.

Shall evil {H7451} be recompensed {H7999} for good {H2896}? for they have digged {H3738} a pit {H7745} for my soul {H5315}. Remember {H2142} that I stood {H5975} before {H6440} thee to speak {H1696} good {H2896} for them, and to turn away {H7725} thy wrath {H2534} from them.

Is good to be repaid with evil? For they have dug a pit [to trap] me. Remember how I stood before you and spoke well of them, in order to turn your anger away from them?

Should good be repaid with evil? Yet they have dug a pit for me. Remember how I stood before You to speak good on their behalf, to turn Your wrath from them.

Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have digged a pit for my soul. Remember how I stood before thee to speak good for them, to turn away thy wrath from them.

Context of Jeremiah 18:20

Jeremiah 18:20 is a poignant lament from the prophet Jeremiah, often called the "weeping prophet," who ministered during a critical period leading up to the Babylonian exile. This verse follows a passage where God uses the analogy of a potter and clay (Jeremiah 18:1-11) to illustrate His sovereign right to judge nations based on their repentance or rebellion. Despite Jeremiah's tireless efforts to call the people of Judah to repentance and his personal intercession on their behalf, he faced relentless persecution and plots from his own countrymen, even his close associates. This verse expresses his deep anguish and sense of betrayal.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Betrayal and Ingratitude: The core of Jeremiah's cry is the profound injustice of receiving evil in return for good. He questions how his selfless acts of intercession and speaking "good for them" could be met with malicious plots.
  • The Intercessory Role of the Prophet: Jeremiah emphasizes his faithful ministry, stating, "Remember that I stood before thee to speak good for them, and to turn away thy wrath from them." This highlights his role as a mediator between God and His rebellious people, similar to Moses who pleaded for Israel in the wilderness.
  • Suffering of the Righteous: This verse underscores the common biblical theme of righteous individuals suffering at the hands of the wicked, even when they act righteously. Jeremiah's experience foreshadows the ultimate suffering of Christ, who also received evil for good.
  • Plea for Divine Justice: Jeremiah's question, "Shall evil be recompensed for good?", is not merely rhetorical but a fervent appeal to God's righteous character, seeking vindication against those who "have digged a pit for my soul."

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "they have digged a pit for my soul" is a common biblical idiom found frequently in the Psalms (e.g., Psalm 7:15, Psalm 35:7). It vividly describes a malicious plot or trap set to ensnare and destroy another, often with fatal intent. It emphasizes the treacherous and underhanded nature of the opposition Jeremiah faced.

Practical Application

Jeremiah's lament in this verse offers profound insights for believers today:

  • Dealing with Injustice: We may encounter situations where our good intentions or actions are met with ingratitude, betrayal, or even active malice. Jeremiah's honest cry to God models how to bring our hurt and confusion before the Lord.
  • The Cost of Righteousness: Standing for truth and interceding for others can sometimes lead to opposition and suffering, as it did for Jeremiah and ultimately for Christ. This verse reminds us that faithfulness does not always guarantee an easy path.
  • Trusting God for Vindication: When wronged, our ultimate hope and trust should be in God's perfect justice. While Jeremiah expresses his pain, he directs his plea to the Lord, trusting in His ultimate judgment and ability to turn away wrath and recompense according to righteousness.
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.

  • Psalms 57:6

    They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen [themselves]. Selah.

  • Psalms 35:7

    For without cause have they hid for me their net [in] a pit, [which] without cause they have digged for my soul.

  • Psalms 106:23

    Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy [them].

  • Psalms 35:12

    They rewarded me evil for good [to] the spoiling of my soul.

  • 1 Samuel 24:17

    And he said to David, Thou [art] more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.

  • 1 Samuel 24:19

    For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.

  • Ecclesiastes 10:8

    He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back