Jeremiah 26:13

KJV

Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore now amend {H3190} your ways {H1870} and your doings {H4611}, and obey {H8085} the voice {H6963} of the LORD {H3068} your God {H430}; and the LORD {H3068} will repent {H5162} him of the evil {H7451} that he hath pronounced {H1696} against you.

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore now, improve your ways and your doings; and listen to the voice of ADONAI your God; then ADONAI will relent from the disaster he has decreed against you.

Berean Standard Bible

So now, correct your ways and deeds, and obey the voice of the LORD your God, so that He might relent of the disaster He has pronounced against you.

American Standard Version

Now therefore amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of Jehovah your God; and Jehovah will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 26:13 presents a pivotal message of divine grace and human responsibility, delivered by the prophet Jeremiah amidst a period of intense national crisis in Judah. It encapsulates God's unwavering willingness to avert impending judgment and calamity, provided His people genuinely turn from their wicked practices, amend their conduct, and obediently heed His voice. This verse underscores the conditional nature of divine judgment, presenting a profound opportunity for national repentance and restoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a direct excerpt from Jeremiah’s powerful and provocative Temple Sermon, delivered in the early years of King Jehoiakim's reign (c. 609-598 BC). Jeremiah had been commanded by the LORD to stand in the court of the LORD's house and speak all the words commanded, without omitting a word, warning that if the people did not listen and obey, the Temple would be destroyed like Shiloh, and Jerusalem would become a curse to all nations. This message, detailed in [Jeremiah 26:1-6](/jeremiah/26-1-6 "Jeremiah 26:1-6 - Jeremiah's Temple Sermon"), enraged the priests, prophets, and all the people, who seized Jeremiah and declared he must die, as recounted in [Jeremiah 26:7-8](/jeremiah/26-7-8 "Jeremiah 26:7-8 - Jeremiah Seized and Accused"). Verse 13 serves as Jeremiah's defense, a reiteration of God's conditional promise, emphasizing that the threatened "evil" (calamity) was not an irreversible decree but a consequence that could be averted through genuine repentance and obedience. It functions as a passionate plea for the people to respond to God's gracious offer before it is too late.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the late 7th century BC, a tumultuous time for the Kingdom of Judah. The Assyrian Empire, which had long dominated the region, was in decline, and new powers, particularly Babylon, were rising rapidly. Judah found itself caught between these geopolitical forces, often attempting to navigate through precarious political alliances rather than trusting in the LORD. Internally, the nation was plagued by widespread idolatry, social injustice, and a superficial religiosity that failed to address the deep moral decay. The Temple, rather than being a place of genuine worship and repentance, had become a source of false security, with the people believing its mere presence would protect them from divine judgment, regardless of their actions, a dangerous complacency directly challenged by Jeremiah in [Jeremiah 7:4](/jeremiah/7-4 "Jeremiah 7:4 - False Security in the Temple"). Jeremiah’s message directly confronted this spiritual apathy, calling for a return to the covenant stipulations of the Mosaic Law. Culturally, the idea of a conditional covenant, where blessings followed obedience and curses followed disobedience, was foundational to Israelite understanding of their relationship with God, as vividly outlined in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").

* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 26:13 powerfully encapsulates several key themes prevalent throughout the book of Jeremiah. Foremost is the theme of **Repentance and Obedience**, highlighting God's persistent call for His people to turn from their sin and align their lives with His commands. This is not merely an outward behavioral adjustment but a deep, internal transformation of the heart, as God desires for His people to "return" to Him, as seen in [Jeremiah 3:22](/jeremiah/3-22 "Jeremiah 3:22 - Call to Return"). Another critical theme is **God's Conditional Judgment and Mercy**. While God is just and faithful to His pronounced word, He is also profoundly merciful and willing to relent from threatened judgment when His people respond with genuine contrition. This demonstrates that divine warnings are often remedial, intended to prompt a change of heart rather than immediate, irreversible destruction. This concept is further elaborated in passages like [Jeremiah 18:7-10](/jeremiah/18-7-10 "Jeremiah 18:7-10 - The Potter and the Clay"), where God explicitly states His prerogative to relent from both good and evil based on human response. Finally, the verse touches upon the **Consequences of Disobedience**, emphasizing that the "evil" (calamity) pronounced is a direct result of the nation's rebellion, yet still avoidable through a return to God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **amend (Hebrew, _yâṭab'_):** This primitive root means "to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)." In this context, it signifies a call to "make good" or "make right" one's ways and doings. It implies a thorough improvement or correction of behavior and moral conduct, moving from a state of spiritual sickness to one of health and alignment with God's will. It's not a superficial fix but a deep, transformative change, a comprehensive overhaul of one's moral and spiritual trajectory.
* **ways (Hebrew, _derek'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to tread," _derek_ refers to a "road" or "path," but figuratively, it denotes a "course of life" or "mode of action." When paired with "doings" (maʻălâl), it encompasses both the general direction and habits of one's life and the specific acts performed. Here, it signifies the entire pattern of Judah's national and individual conduct, which had deviated significantly from God's righteous standards.
* **repent (Hebrew, _nâcham'_):** This primitive root properly means "to sigh," implying strong emotion. By implication, it means "to be sorry," "to pity," "to console," or (reflexively) "to rue." When applied to God, as in this verse, it means to "relent" or "change one's mind concerning a course of action" in response to human actions or prayers. It does not imply a change in God's immutable character or moral perfection, but rather a change in His declared intention or the execution of His judgment in light of a change in human behavior. God's ultimate purposes remain fixed, but His relational interaction with humanity allows for a redirection of His pronounced judgments when genuine repentance occurs.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore now amend your ways and your doings,"**: This opening clause serves as an urgent imperative, a direct command from God through Jeremiah. The phrase "Therefore now" underscores the immediate necessity of action given the dire warnings and impending judgment. "Amend your ways and your doings" calls for a comprehensive moral and spiritual overhaul, addressing both the overall direction and habits of their lives ("ways") and their specific actions and practices ("doings"). It signifies a decisive turning away from sin and a turning towards righteousness, requiring a fundamental change in both character and conduct.
* **"and obey the voice of the LORD your God;"**: This second command specifies the nature of the required amendment: it must be rooted in active listening and submissive adherence to God's revealed will. "The voice of the LORD" refers to His commandments, His prophetic word, and His covenant stipulations given through the Law and His prophets. True amendment of ways is inseparable from obedient hearing and doing what God requires, acknowledging His supreme authority and rightful claim as "your God," the covenant Lord of Israel.
* **"and the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you."**: This final clause presents the divine consequence and gracious promise contingent upon the people's repentance. "The LORD will repent him" means God will relent or turn from His previously declared intention to bring "evil" (Hebrew: _raʻ_, meaning calamity, disaster, or misfortune, not moral wickedness). This demonstrates God's profound mercy, His patience, and His desire for reconciliation over retribution. The "evil that he hath pronounced" refers to the specific judgments and destructions that Jeremiah had been prophesying, which were contingent upon the people's continued disobedience and served as a warning to prompt their return.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 26:13 employs several powerful literary devices that amplify its urgent message. The most prominent is the **Conditional Statement**, clearly structured as an "if-then" proposition, even if the "if" is implied by the imperative "Therefore now amend..." and the "then" by "and the LORD will repent...". This highlights the direct causal link between human action (repentance and obedience) and divine response (relenting from judgment). Another significant device is **Anthropomorphism**, where God is described as "repenting" (Hebrew _nâcham_). While God's character is immutable, this human-like expression conveys His emotional response and willingness to alter His course of action in response to human repentance, demonstrating His relational nature and deep concern for His people's well-being. Furthermore, there is a degree of **Parallelism** in the phrase "your ways and your doings," which emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the required repentance, encompassing both the general trajectory of life and specific acts. The use of strong imperatives ("amend," "obey") also lends a sense of urgency and directness to the divine message, demanding an immediate and decisive response from the audience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 26:13 profoundly illustrates the biblical principle of God's conditional judgment and His readiness to extend mercy in response to genuine repentance. It underscores that God's pronouncements of "evil" (calamity) are often warnings, not immutable decrees, designed to call His people back to Himself. This divine flexibility, rooted in His unchanging character of love and justice, offers a pathway to avert disaster through a humble turning from sin and a renewed commitment to obedience. It reveals a God who desires reconciliation over retribution, always leaving the door open for His people to return and experience His grace. This passage serves as a timeless testament to God's patience and His ultimate desire for the well-being of His creation, even in the face of their rebellion.

* [2 Chronicles 7:14](/2_chronicles/7-14 "2 Chronicles 7:14 - If My People Will Humble Themselves")
* [Joel 2:13](/joel/2-13 "Joel 2:13 - Return to the LORD Your God")
* [Jonah 3:10](/jonah/3-10 "Jonah 3:10 - God Relents from Disaster")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 26:13 offers a timeless and profoundly hopeful message for individuals and communities today. It reminds us that even when we stand under the shadow of consequences for our disobedience, God's heart remains open to our return. This verse challenges us to move beyond superficial religiosity or a sense of fatalism and to actively engage in the process of self-examination and spiritual transformation. It underscores that our actions, our choices, and our willingness to truly listen and obey God's voice have a direct impact on our experience of His blessing or judgment. The call to "amend your ways and your doings" is a call to radical honesty about our sin and a courageous commitment to align our lives with God's perfect will, trusting that His desire is always for our good, even when His warnings are severe. It encourages us to embrace repentance not as a burden, but as the pathway to peace, restoration, and the experience of God's relenting mercy, recognizing that true change begins with a humble heart and obedient spirit.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "ways and doings" in my life or in our community need to be "amended" in light of God's word?**
* **How consistently do I "obey the voice of the LORD my God," not just in outward actions, but in the intentions of my heart?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be experiencing "evil" (calamity or distress) that could be averted through genuine repentance and obedience?**
* **How does understanding God's willingness to "repent him of the evil" deepen my trust in His character and motivate my pursuit of holiness?**

### FAQ

**Does God truly "repent" or change His mind, given that He is immutable?**

Answer: The term "repent" (Hebrew: _nâcham_) when applied to God in Jeremiah 26:13 and similar passages does not imply a change in God's immutable character, moral perfection, or eternal purposes. Instead, it signifies a change in His declared intention or the execution of His judgment in response to a change in human behavior. God's ultimate plan of redemption and His righteous nature remain constant. However, His interaction with humanity is dynamic and relational. When people turn from their wickedness and genuinely repent, God, in His mercy, relents from the specific calamities or judgments He had previously warned them about. This demonstrates His responsiveness to human free will and His desire for reconciliation rather than destruction. It's a change in His *posture* towards humanity, not a change in His *being*. This concept is also seen in [Exodus 32:14](/exodus/32-14 "Exodus 32:14 - God Relents from Disaster") when Moses intercedes for Israel, and in [Jonah 3:10](/jonah/3-10 "Jonah 3:10 - God Relents from Disaster") concerning Nineveh.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 26:13, with its urgent call to "amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God" to avert "evil," finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament call to repentance often focused on a return to the Mosaic Law and the covenant, Jesus inaugurated a new covenant where true repentance is a turning to Him as the embodiment of God's voice and the pathway to life. He is the ultimate "voice of the LORD" whom we are called to obey, as He declares, "My sheep hear my voice" in [John 10:27](/john/10-27 "John 10:27 - My Sheep Hear My Voice"). The "evil" that God pronounced against humanity, which is the ultimate consequence of sin, is not merely averted but absorbed and overcome by Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus became the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), enabling God to "repent" (relent) from the judgment due to us, not because we perfectly amend our ways in our own strength, but because we are united with Christ through faith. The New Testament call to repentance is therefore a call to believe in Jesus, whose perfect obedience and sacrifice fulfill the demands of the Law and provide the means for true amendment of life, empowered by the Holy Spirit, as Peter urged in [Acts 2:38](/acts/2-38 "Acts 2:38 - Repent and Be Baptized"). In Christ, we find not just a temporary reprieve from judgment, but eternal reconciliation and transformation, truly making our "ways and doings" righteous in God's sight, for "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")).

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

Jonah 4:2

And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, [was] not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou [art] a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.

Jonah 3:9

Who can tell [if] God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?

Isaiah 1:19

If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

Jeremiah 7:3

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place.

Jeremiah 7:7

Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever.

Jeremiah 35:15

I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending [them], saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me.

Isaiah 55:7

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.