Jeremiah 29:18

KJV

And I will persecute them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be removed to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, and an astonishment, and an hissing, and a reproach, among all the nations whither I have driven them:

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will persecute {H7291} them {H310} with the sword {H2719}, with the famine {H7458}, and with the pestilence {H1698}, and will deliver {H5414} them to be removed {H2189}{H2113} to all the kingdoms {H4467} of the earth {H776}, to be a curse {H423}, and an astonishment {H8047}, and an hissing {H8322}, and a reproach {H2781}, among all the nations {H1471} whither I have driven {H5080} them:

Complete Jewish Bible

I will pursue them with sword, famine and plague and make them an object of horror to all the kingdoms of the earth; and they will bring on themselves cursing, astonishment, ridicule and reproach among all the nations where I have driven them;

Berean Standard Bible

I will pursue them with sword and famine and plague. I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth—a curse, a desolation, and an object of scorn and reproach among all the nations to which I banish them.

American Standard Version

And I will pursue after them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be tossed to and fro among all the kingdoms of the earth, to be an execration, and an astonishment, and a hissing, and a reproach, among all the nations whither I have driven them;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 29:18 conveys a solemn divine decree against the unrepentant residents of Jerusalem, particularly those swayed by false prophets who promised an imminent end to the Babylonian exile. This verse details a comprehensive and severe judgment encompassing war, famine, and pestilence, culminating in a widespread dispersion of the people across the earth. The consequence of their persistent disobedience and rejection of God's authentic word would be public humiliation, making them a visible object of scorn, a curse, an astonishment, a hissing, and a reproach among all the nations where they would be scattered.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a pivotal letter from the prophet Jeremiah in Jerusalem to the Jewish exiles already deported to Babylon (Jeremiah 29). While the chapter is renowned for its message of hope and a future for the faithful remnant, famously encapsulated in [Jeremiah 29:11](/jeremiah/29-11 "Jeremiah 29:11 - God's Plans for Hope and a Future"), verses 15-19 serve as a stark counterpoint. These verses specifically target those who remained in Jerusalem, clinging to deceptive assurances from false prophets (as warned against in [Jeremiah 29:8-9](/jeremiah/29-8 "Jeremiah 29:8-9 - Warning Against False Prophets")). God's message here directly refutes the false prophets' promises of peace and a swift return, declaring that because the people rejected His true warnings and embraced lies, they would face severe and comprehensive judgment. This stands in contrast to the exiles, who, though suffering, were being preserved for a future restoration. The placement of this judgment within a chapter known for hope underscores the conditional nature of God's promises and the consequences of unfaithfulness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting is the immediate aftermath of Nebuchadnezzar's first deportation of Judah's elite in 597 BC. Jeremiah's letter was dispatched to these exiles, instructing them to settle in Babylon and seek the welfare of their captors, a message directly opposing the prevailing sentiment of imminent return fostered by false prophets. Concurrently, those who remained in Jerusalem harbored a false sense of security, believing God would never permit His temple or chosen city to fall. Culturally, the triad of "sword, famine, and pestilence" was a well-understood and terrifying representation of comprehensive divine judgment, frequently invoked in covenant curses for disobedience, as seen in [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Curses for Disobedience"). To be made "a curse, an astonishment, a hissing, and a reproach" among nations constituted the ultimate public humiliation for a people who bore God's name and were meant to be a blessing. This outcome signified a profound reversal of their privileged status and a devastating loss of honor in the ancient Near Eastern world, where public reputation was paramount.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 29:18 powerfully articulates several crucial themes. First, it highlights **Divine Judgment and Consequences**, demonstrating God's active and righteous role in bringing severe retribution upon those who persistently disobey His revealed will and reject His prophets. This judgment is not arbitrary but a direct consequence of covenant infidelity and the embrace of falsehood over truth. Second, the verse underscores **Dispersion and Reproach**, illustrating that the judgment would extend beyond mere physical suffering to a widespread scattering "to all the kingdoms of the earth," resulting in profound public humiliation and disgrace. Their suffering would become a "hissing" and "reproach," serving as a warning and an object of scorn to other nations. Lastly, the passage reaffirms **God's Sovereignty in Judgment and History**. Phrases like "I will persecute them" and "whither I have driven them" assert God's ultimate control over the destiny of His people, even in their darkest moments of judgment. This demonstrates His sovereign hand in both blessing and discipline, a consistent theme throughout the prophetic books, as echoed in [Isaiah 45:7](/isaiah/45-7 "Isaiah 45:7 - God's Sovereignty Over Good and Evil").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Persecute (Hebrew, _râdaph'_):** From H7291, a primitive root meaning "to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by); chase, put to flight, follow (after, on), hunt, (be under) persecute(-ion, -or), pursue(-r)." In this context, it signifies God's active, relentless, and intentional pursuit of judgment against the disobedient. It is not a passive allowance of consequences but a direct divine action to bring about the decreed punishment.
* **Pestilence (Hebrew, _deber'_):** From H1698, meaning "from דָבַר (in the sense of destroying); a pestilence; murrain, pestilence, plague." This term refers to widespread disease and plague, often a devastating component of divine judgment alongside war (sword) and starvation (famine). It underscores the comprehensive nature of the calamities God would unleash upon the rebellious.
* **Reproach (Hebrew, _cherpâh'_):** From H2781, meaning "from חָרָף; contumely, disgrace, the pudenda; rebuke, reproach(-fully), shame." This word conveys the profound public humiliation and disgrace that would befall the people. Their suffering would not be private but would become a public spectacle, an object of scorn and mockery among the nations, signifying a complete loss of honor and status.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will persecute them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence,"**: This opening clause establishes the divine agent ("I will persecute") and the instruments of judgment. God Himself declares His active role in bringing about these calamities. The "sword, famine, and pestilence" form a classic triad of comprehensive judgment, representing warfare, starvation, and widespread disease, which together would decimate the population and destroy their societal fabric. This signifies that the judgment is not accidental but a direct, multifaceted divine action against their disobedience.
* **"and will deliver them to be removed to all the kingdoms of the earth,"**: Following the internal devastation, God promises to "deliver them to be removed," indicating a further, widespread dispersion. This goes beyond the initial Babylonian exile, suggesting a scattering to "all the kingdoms of the earth." This emphasizes the global extent of their displacement and the profound loss of their homeland, a devastating reversal of God's promise to establish them securely in the land of Israel.
* **"to be a curse, and an astonishment, and an hissing, and a reproach,"**: This clause describes the public and spiritual consequences of their judgment. They would become "a curse," an object of malediction and an example of divine wrath; "an astonishment," something shocking and bewildering to behold, evoking awe and fear in observers; "an hissing," a sound of derision and scorn, indicating public mockery; and "a reproach," a source of deep shame and disgrace. These terms collectively paint a vivid picture of utter public humiliation and a profound loss of their former identity and honor as God's chosen people.
* **"among all the nations whither I have driven them:"**: This concluding phrase reiterates God's sovereignty over their dispersion. It confirms that their scattering is not random or accidental but a direct result of God's intentional action ("whither I have driven them"). The judgment is not confined to Judah but is witnessed and understood "among all the nations," demonstrating God's justice to the wider world and illustrating the profound reversal of Israel's intended role as a blessing to the nations.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 29:18 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of severe divine judgment. The most prominent is **Tricolon**, evident in the repeated phrase "with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence," and further extended into a fourfold enumeration of their fate: "a curse, and an astonishment, and an hissing, and a reproach." This rhetorical device creates a sense of escalating intensity and comprehensive devastation, emphasizing the inescapable and multifaceted nature of God's judgment. **Personification** is also clearly seen in God's declaration, "I will persecute them," attributing human-like action (persecution, active pursuit) to the divine will, underscoring His direct and active involvement in bringing about these consequences. Furthermore, the verse utilizes vivid **Imagery** to evoke a strong emotional response, particularly with terms like "hissing" and "reproach," which conjure a picture of public scorn, derision, and deep humiliation. This imagery effectively communicates the profound social and spiritual disgrace that would accompany their physical suffering and dispersion, making their plight a public spectacle.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 29:18 stands as a powerful testament to God's unwavering justice and the severe consequences of persistent disobedience and rejection of His revealed truth. While God's character is rich in mercy and grace, as profoundly demonstrated in His promises of restoration for the repentant remnant, He is also a God who holds His people accountable to the covenant. This verse underscores the principle that divine warnings are not idle threats but expressions of His righteous character, designed to call humanity to repentance and avert disaster. The judgment described here is a direct outcome of Judah's idolatry, moral corruption, and their embrace of false prophecy, serving as a stark reminder that spiritual discernment and unwavering obedience to God's authentic word are paramount. Their public humiliation among the nations serves as a tragic reversal of God's original intention for Israel to be a light and a blessing, illustrating the profound shame and brokenness that result from covenant unfaithfulness.

* [Deuteronomy 28:37](/deuteronomy/28-37 "Deuteronomy 28:37 - Israel as a Proverb and Byword")
* [Lamentations 2:15-16](/lamentations/2-15-16 "Lamentations 2:15-16 - Scorn and Hissing")
* [Ezekiel 5:12](/ezekiel/5-12 "Ezekiel 5:12 - Sword, Famine, and Pestilence")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 29:18 serves as a sober and enduring reminder that God's character encompasses both profound love and unwavering justice. While the preceding verses in the chapter offer a beautiful vision of hope and a future, this verse highlights the reality that divine promises are often conditional upon faithfulness and obedience. For us today, this passage calls for a deep introspection into our own lives and communities. It challenges us to critically discern truth from falsehood, especially in an age saturated with competing narratives and easy answers. Are we truly listening to God's authentic word, even when it is challenging or counter-cultural, or are we seeking out voices that merely affirm our desires and comfortable illusions? The "sword, famine, and pestilence" may manifest differently in our contemporary world—perhaps as spiritual barrenness, moral decay, or societal breakdown resulting from collective sin—but the principle remains: persistent rejection of God's will and truth inevitably leads to profound and painful consequences, both individually and corporately. This verse compels us to heed divine warnings, embrace repentance, and strive for genuine obedience, lest we become a "reproach" in a world desperately needing the authentic witness of God's people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be susceptible to believing comforting lies rather than confronting uncomfortable truths from God's Word?**
* **How does this verse challenge my understanding of God's justice in relation to His love and mercy?**
* **What are the "spiritual famines, swords, or pestilences" that might be consequences of disobedience in my community or nation today?**
* **How can I ensure that my life and witness are a blessing, not a "reproach," to those around me?**

### FAQ
**How does Jeremiah 29:18 reconcile with the message of hope in Jeremiah 29:11?**

Answer: Jeremiah 29:18 does not contradict [Jeremiah 29:11](/jeremiah/29-11 "Jeremiah 29:11 - God's Plans for Hope and a Future") but rather provides a crucial counterpoint that highlights the conditional nature of God's promises and the reality of His justice. [Jeremiah 29:11](/jeremiah/29-11 "Jeremiah 29:11 - God's Plans for Hope and a Future") is addressed to the exiles in Babylon, who, despite their suffering, were being preserved by God and were submitting to His will (even if reluctantly). Jeremiah 29:18, however, is directed at those who remained in Jerusalem and the false prophets deceiving them. These individuals stubbornly resisted God's word through Jeremiah, believing they were secure and would not face judgment. Thus, the two verses address different audiences with different spiritual postures: hope for the repentant and those submitting to God's plan, and judgment for the rebellious and those embracing falsehood. God's character encompasses both His desire for their welfare and His righteous indignation against unrepentant sin.

**Is God truly vengeful, as implied by "I will persecute them"?**

Answer: The term "persecute" (Hebrew, _râdaph'_) in this context should be understood within the framework of biblical justice and covenant faithfulness, not human vengeance. God's actions are not driven by petty spite but by His holy character, which cannot tolerate unrepentant sin and rebellion against His covenant. The "persecution" here refers to God actively bringing about the just consequences for breaking the covenant (as outlined in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")), particularly for rejecting His prophetic warnings and embracing idolatry and false prophecy. It demonstrates God's sovereignty and His commitment to upholding His moral order. While the consequences are severe, they are a righteous response to persistent disobedience, intended to bring about repentance and ultimately to demonstrate His holiness to all nations.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 29:18, with its stark portrayal of divine judgment, dispersion, and public reproach for covenant unfaithfulness, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment not in a direct parallel of judgment on believers, but in the ultimate outworking of God's justice and redemptive plan through Jesus Christ. The "curse, astonishment, hissing, and reproach" that fell upon disobedient Israel foreshadows the ultimate curse borne by Christ on the cross. As [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law") declares, "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us." The judgment of sword, famine, and pestilence, representing the full weight of divine wrath against sin, was fully poured out upon Christ, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Furthermore, the dispersion of Israel, "driven to all the kingdoms of the earth," finds its counterpoint in the gathering of all nations into the spiritual Israel, the Church, through Christ. The New Covenant, established in Christ's blood ([Luke 22:20](/luke/22-20 "Luke 22:20 - The New Covenant in His Blood")), offers forgiveness and restoration, transforming those who were once "a reproach" into a people called to be a light to the nations ([Matthew 5:14](/matthew/5-14 "Matthew 5:14 - You Are the Light of the World")). Believers, though spiritual exiles and sojourners in this world ([1 Peter 2:11](/1_peter/2-11 "1 Peter 2:11 - Sojourners and Exiles")), are no longer under the curse of the law but are united in Christ, looking forward to their true heavenly home, a fulfillment far greater than the return to an earthly land.

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

2 Chronicles 29:8

Wherefore the wrath of the LORD was upon Judah and Jerusalem, and he hath delivered them to trouble, to astonishment, and to hissing, as ye see with your eyes.

Jeremiah 42:18

For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As mine anger and my fury hath been poured forth upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem; so shall my fury be poured forth upon you, when ye shall enter into Egypt: and ye shall be an execration, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach; and ye shall see this place no more.

Jeremiah 15:4

And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for [that] which he did in Jerusalem.

Deuteronomy 28:25

The LORD shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.

Jeremiah 24:9

And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for [their] hurt, [to be] a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places whither I shall drive them.

Jeremiah 34:17

Therefore thus saith the LORD; Ye have not hearkened unto me, in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother, and every man to his neighbour: behold, I proclaim a liberty for you, saith the LORD, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; and I will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.

Isaiah 65:15

And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name: