Jeremiah 3:5

KJV

Will he reserve [his anger] for ever? will he keep [it] to the end? Behold, thou hast spoken and done evil things as thou couldest.

KJV (with Strong's)

Will he reserve {H5201} his anger for ever {H5769}? will he keep {H8104} it to the end {H5331}? Behold, thou hast spoken {H1696} and done {H6213} evil things {H7451} as thou couldest {H3201}.

Complete Jewish Bible

[thinking,] 'He won't bear a grudge forever, will he? He wouldn't maintain it right to the end.' You say this, but you keep doing evil things, you just do whatever you want."

Berean Standard Bible

Will He be angry forever? Will He be indignant to the end?’ This you have spoken, but you keep doing all the evil you can.”

American Standard Version

Will he retain his anger for ever? will he keep it to the end? Behold, thou hast spoken and hast done evil things, and hast had thy way.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 3:5 captures a pivotal moment in God's prophetic address to Judah, confronting their profound spiritual infidelity and presumptuousness. The verse juxtaposes Judah's unceasing pursuit of evil with a rhetorical question about God's enduring anger, implicitly highlighting His remarkable patience while simultaneously affirming the certainty of divine justice for unrepentant sin. It serves as a stark indictment of Judah's deliberate and comprehensive rebellion, even as it underscores the divine longing for their return.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 3:5 is nestled within a powerful prophetic discourse (Jeremiah 3:1-5) where God, through Jeremiah, pleads with Judah to return to Him despite their egregious spiritual harlotry. The preceding verses vividly describe Judah's unfaithfulness, likening her to a prostitute who has defiled the land and yet brazenly claims innocence or seeks superficial reconciliation. The question "Will he reserve his anger forever?" in verse 5 directly follows Judah's superficial cries of "My Father, you are the friend of my youth!" ([Jeremiah 3:4](/jeremiah/3-4 "Jeremiah 3:4 - Judah's Superficial Plea")). This immediate literary context sets up a tension between Judah's shallow repentance and God's righteous indignation, emphasizing the depth of their hypocrisy and the limits of divine patience, even as God extends a final invitation to return.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah's ministry occurred during the tumultuous late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, a period marked by the decline of Assyrian power and the rise of Babylon. Judah, caught between these empires, often vacillated between political alliances and spiritual allegiance. Culturally, the worship of Baal and other Canaanite deities was rampant, often involving fertility rites and child sacrifice, directly violating the covenant God had established with Israel at Sinai ([Exodus 20:1-6](/exodus/20-1 "Exodus 20:1-6 - The Ten Commandments")). The metaphor of Israel/Judah as an unfaithful wife or prostitute was a common prophetic trope, deeply rooted in the covenant relationship where God was the faithful husband and Israel His bride ([Hosea 2:2-13](/hosea/2-2 "Hosea 2:2-13 - Israel's Adultery and Restoration")). Jeremiah 3:5 reflects Judah's deep immersion in these pagan practices, pursued with full intent, demonstrating a complete abandonment of their monotheistic heritage and covenant obligations.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Jeremiah. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **God's Enduring Patience and Longsuffering**, expressed through the rhetorical questions regarding the duration of His anger. Despite Judah's persistent and egregious sin, God has not immediately unleashed His full wrath, offering opportunities for repentance, a theme echoed in [Psalm 103:8](/psalms/103-8 "Psalm 103:8 - God's Compassion and Mercy"). Secondly, it underscores the **Depth and Intentionality of Judah's Sin**, as they "spoken and done evil things as thou couldest," indicating a deliberate and comprehensive commitment to wickedness, not merely accidental transgression. This intentionality amplifies their guilt and contrasts sharply with God's patient pursuit of their return. Finally, the verse implicitly touches upon the theme of **Divine Justice and Inevitable Consequences**, suggesting that while God's anger may be reserved, it is not absent, and unrepentant sin will ultimately lead to judgment, as seen in the broader narrative of Judah's eventual exile ([Jeremiah 25:8-11](/jeremiah/25-8 "Jeremiah 25:8-11 - Prophecy of Judah's Exile")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **reserve (Hebrew, _nâṭar'_):** H5201. A primitive root meaning "to guard," but figuratively, "to cherish (anger)," "bear grudge," or "keep." In Jeremiah 3:5, it describes God's action of holding back or maintaining His anger. The question "Will he reserve his anger forever?" implies a capacity to withhold immediate judgment, but also suggests that this anger is a real, present disposition, not a fleeting emotion, which Judah's actions are continually provoking.
* **forever (Hebrew, _ʻôwlâm'_):** H5769. From a root meaning "concealed" or "the vanishing point," this word refers to time out of mind, past or future; practically, eternity or perpetual duration. When paired with God's anger, it probes the limits of divine patience. The question is not whether God's anger is real, but whether its *reservation* or *expression* will last eternally, highlighting the tension between His justice and His desire for reconciliation.
* **couldest (Hebrew, _yâkôl'_):** H3201. A primitive root meaning "to be able," literally (can, could) or morally (may, might). In this context, "as thou couldest" (כִּי־יָכֹלְתָּה, _kî yāḵōltāh_) is a powerful indictment. It signifies that Judah pursued evil with all the strength, capacity, and intentionality they possessed. Their wickedness was not a weakness or an accident, but a full-hearted, deliberate, and unrestrained commitment to sinful actions and words.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Will he reserve [his anger] for ever?"**: This rhetorical question, posed by the prophet, probes the extent of God's patience. It acknowledges that God has indeed "reserved" or held back His righteous anger, despite Judah's egregious and prolonged unfaithfulness. The "forever" (ʻôwlâm) component questions whether this divine restraint is limitless, implicitly warning that there are boundaries to God's longsuffering.
* **"will he keep [it] to the end?"**: This parallel question reinforces the first, using a synonymous verb "keep" (shâmar, H8104 - to guard, protect, attend to) and "to the end" (netsach, H5331 - properly, a goal; continually, perpetually). It further emphasizes the duration and intensity of God's reserved anger, suggesting that while it might be held back for a long time, it is not forgotten and will ultimately reach its appointed expression if Judah does not repent.
* **"Behold, thou hast spoken and done evil things as thou couldest."**: This declarative statement directly follows the rhetorical questions, providing the stark justification for God's anger. It is a severe indictment of Judah's comprehensive and intentional wickedness. "Spoken and done" covers both their words and their actions, indicating a complete moral corruption. The phrase "as thou couldest" (kî yāḵōltāh) powerfully conveys that Judah pursued evil with all their might, ability, and unreserved commitment, leaving no stone unturned in their rebellion against God.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 3:5 employs several potent literary devices. The opening lines, "Will he reserve [his anger] for ever? will he keep [it] to the end?", are a clear example of **Rhetorical Question**. These are not questions seeking information, but rather devices to emphasize a point – in this case, the profound patience of God contrasted with the extreme provocation of Judah's sin, and the implicit warning that such patience is not infinite. The parallelism between the two questions ("reserve...forever" and "keep...to the end") is a form of **Synonymous Parallelism**, reinforcing the same idea of God's sustained, yet potentially finite, restraint. The entire verse functions as a powerful **Indictment**, where God directly confronts Judah's sin. The phrase "as thou couldest" uses **Hyperbole** to underscore the extreme and unreserved nature of Judah's commitment to evil, suggesting they exhausted every possible means in their pursuit of wickedness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 3:5 profoundly illustrates the tension between God's boundless patience and His unwavering justice. It reveals a God who, despite being grievously provoked by His people's persistent and intentional rebellion, exercises incredible restraint, holding back the full force of His righteous anger. This divine longsuffering is not an endorsement of sin, but an extension of grace, providing ample opportunity for repentance. However, the verse also makes it clear that this patience is not infinite; there is a "to the end" where justice will be served if Judah refuses to turn from its comprehensive wickedness. It underscores the profound seriousness of sin, especially when committed with full intent and capability, and highlights God's steadfast commitment to His covenant, which demands both faithfulness and accountability.

* [Psalm 7:11](/psalms/7-11 "Psalm 7:11 - God is a righteous judge, who displays his wrath every day.")
* [Romans 2:4-5](/romans/2-4 "Romans 2:4-5 - God's kindness leads to repentance, but unrepentant hearts store up wrath.")
* [2 Peter 3:9](/2_peter/3-9 "2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is patient, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 3:5 serves as a profound mirror for contemporary believers, challenging us to honestly assess our own relationship with God. Do we, like ancient Judah, presume upon God's grace, mistaking His patience for indifference or tacit approval of our lingering sins? The verse's indictment of Judah's "speaking and doing evil things as thou couldest" compels us to examine the depth of our own commitment – not just to avoiding overt sin, but to actively pursuing righteousness with the same vigor Judah pursued wickedness. Are we fully devoted to God, or do we hold back, reserving parts of our lives for self-indulgence or compromise? This passage calls us to genuine, heartfelt repentance, recognizing that God's patience, while vast, is purposeful – designed to lead us to a transformative turning, not to enable continued rebellion. It reminds us that while God delights in mercy, His justice is equally sure, and a life lived in persistent, unrepentant sin will inevitably face its consequences.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be presuming upon God's patience, rather than responding to His call for deeper repentance?**
* **How does the phrase "spoken and done evil things as thou couldest" challenge my understanding of the intentionality and depth of my own sin?**
* **What specific actions can I take today to more fully align my words and deeds with God's will, demonstrating a genuine turning from "evil things"?**

### FAQ
**Does God's anger truly last forever, or is it temporary?**

Answer: Jeremiah 3:5 asks whether God will "reserve his anger for ever" or "keep it to the end," which is a rhetorical question highlighting Judah's presumption and God's incredible patience. While God's character includes righteous indignation against sin, the Bible also emphasizes His compassion and slowness to anger ([Psalm 103:8](/psalms/103-8 "Psalm 103:8 - God's compassion and mercy")). God's anger is not an uncontrolled outburst but a just response to unrepentant rebellion. For those who turn to Him in repentance, His anger is turned away, and He delights in showing mercy ([Micah 7:18](/micah/7-18 "Micah 7:18 - God delights in showing mercy")). However, for those who persistently reject Him, His wrath is indeed reserved and will ultimately be expressed, leading to eternal separation ([Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's wrath revealed against ungodliness")). So, for the unrepentant, the consequences of His anger are eternal, but for the repentant, His anger is temporary and gives way to grace.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 3:5, with its poignant questions about God's reserved anger and Judah's unreserved evil, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "anger" that God reserved was not abolished but was fully poured out upon His Son on the cross. Jesus became the propitiation for our sins, bearing the full weight of divine wrath that humanity, in its persistent rebellion "as thou couldest," deserved ([Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Christ as Propitiation for Sins")). Through His sacrificial death, Christ absorbed the "end" of God's righteous judgment, making a way for humanity to escape the eternal consequences of sin. Furthermore, the call for Judah to "return" to God, which they failed to heed, is perfectly accomplished in Christ. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, through whom we can truly return to the Father, not by our own insufficient efforts, but by His perfect obedience and atoning work ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). In Christ, God's patience is revealed as a saving patience, leading us to repentance and offering forgiveness that truly turns away His righteous anger, transforming those who believe from objects of wrath into beloved children ([Ephesians 2:3-5](/ephesians/2-3 "Ephesians 2:3-5 - Dead in Sins, Made Alive in Christ")).

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

Isaiah 57:16

For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls [which] I have made.

Micah 7:3

That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge [asketh] for a reward; and the great [man], he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up.

Jeremiah 3:12

¶ Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; [and] I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I [am] merciful, saith the LORD, [and] I will not keep [anger] for ever.

Micah 2:1

¶ Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand.

Ezekiel 22:6

Behold, the princes of Israel, every one were in thee to their power to shed blood.

Psalms 103:8

The LORD [is] merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

Psalms 103:9

He will not always chide: neither will he keep [his anger] for ever.