Jeremiah 36:3

KJV

It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.

KJV (with Strong's)

It may be that the house {H1004} of Judah {H3063} will hear {H8085} all the evil {H7451} which I purpose {H2803} to do {H6213} unto them; that they may return {H7725} every man {H376} from his evil {H7451} way {H1870}; that I may forgive {H5545} their iniquity {H5771} and their sin {H2403}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Perhaps the house of Y'hudah will listen to all the disaster I intend to bring on them, and turn back, each person from his evil way; then I will forgive their wickedness and sin."

Berean Standard Bible

Perhaps when the people of Judah hear about all the calamity I plan to bring upon them, each of them will turn from his wicked way. Then I will forgive their iniquity and their sin.”

American Standard Version

It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 36:3 encapsulates God's profound and persistent desire for the nation of Judah to turn from their pervasive wickedness and thereby avert the severe judgment He purposed to bring upon them. This verse highlights a critical moment in Jeremiah's prophetic ministry, revealing divine warning, an earnest call to genuine repentance, and the compassionate promise of God's readiness to forgive their iniquity and sin if they would but heed His voice and change their ways.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 36 opens with a direct divine command to the prophet Jeremiah to compile all the prophecies previously spoken against Israel, Judah, and all nations since the beginning of his ministry. This monumental task, undertaken by Jeremiah's scribe Baruch, was not merely for archival purposes but served a specific, urgent function: to be read publicly to the "house of Judah." The immediate literary context reveals that the scroll's purpose, as stated in this verse, was to provoke a hearing that would lead to repentance, thereby offering a final opportunity for the people to avoid the impending disaster. The subsequent narrative in Jeremiah 36 details the reading of the scroll, King Jehoiakim's defiant act of burning it, and God's subsequent pronouncement of even greater judgment upon the king and his house, underscoring the gravity of Judah's refusal to heed this gracious warning. This verse is therefore the foundational statement of intent behind the entire scroll-writing and reading event.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This prophecy was delivered during the tumultuous reign of King Jehoiakim (c. 609-598 BC), a period marked by profound spiritual decline, widespread idolatry, and social injustice in Judah. Politically, Judah was caught between the rising power of Babylon and the waning influence of Egypt, leading to instability and a false sense of security. Culturally, the people had largely abandoned the covenant stipulations of Yahweh, embracing pagan practices and a superficial religiosity. Jeremiah's ministry was characterized by persistent calls for repentance amidst a populace and leadership largely unwilling to listen. The act of writing down prophecies and reading them publicly was a recognized method of disseminating official or divine decrees, giving them weight and authority. God's instruction for Jeremiah to document these warnings through Baruch was a final, tangible expression of His long-suffering patience before the inevitable Babylonian exile, which ultimately resulted in the [fall of Jerusalem](/jeremiah/52 "Jeremiah 52 - The Fall of Jerusalem and Exile").
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 36:3 powerfully articulates several core themes central to the book of Jeremiah and biblical theology as a whole. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Warning and Impending Judgment**, emphasizing that God's "evil" (calamity) is a righteous and purposed consequence of Judah's persistent rebellion against the covenant, not an arbitrary act. Secondly, the verse underscores the **Urgent Call to Repentance**, portraying God's earnest desire for His people to "return every man from his evil way," which signifies a complete moral and spiritual turning from sin back to Him. This theme is foundational to the prophetic message, as seen throughout the call to repentance in [Jeremiah 7](/jeremiah/7 "Jeremiah 7 - The Temple Sermon"). Thirdly, it reveals **God's Enduring Mercy and Willingness to Forgive**, demonstrating that despite the severity of the threatened judgment, God's ultimate desire is to "forgive their iniquity and their sin." This compassionate aspect of God's character is a recurring motif in Scripture, beautifully articulated in [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The Lord's Character"). Finally, the verse powerfully illustrates the **Conditional Nature of Divine Prophecy**, showing that God's pronouncements of judgment can be averted or mitigated through genuine repentance, a principle explicitly stated by God Himself in [Jeremiah 18:7-8](/jeremiah/18-7 "Jeremiah 18:7-8 - The Potter and the Clay").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **purpose (Hebrew, _châshab'_):** From H2803, this root means "to plait or interpenetrate, i.e. (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a malicious sense); hence (from the mental effort) to think, regard, value, compute." In this context, it signifies God's deliberate, calculated intention to bring judgment. It is not a rash decision but a carefully considered plan, indicating the certainty and justness of the impending "evil" (calamity) as a consequence of Judah's actions.
* **return (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** From H7725, this primitive root means "to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again." Here, it carries the profound theological meaning of repentance – a complete turning away from one's "evil way" and a turning back towards God and His covenant. It implies a change of mind, heart, and action.
* **evil (Hebrew, _raʻ'_):** From H7451, this word refers to "bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral); adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, displeasure, distress, evil, grief, harm, heavy, hurt, ill, mischief, misery, naught, noisome, trouble, vex, wicked, worse, wretchedness, wrong." In the phrase "all the evil which I purpose to do unto them," it denotes the calamitous consequences and judgments God intends to bring upon Judah, such as war, famine, and exile, as a result of their moral evil and disobedience. It is a punitive, not an inherently immoral, "evil" from God's perspective.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them;"**: This initial clause sets a conditional tone, indicating God's hope rather than a certainty. "The house of Judah" refers to the entire nation, emphasizing a corporate responsibility. The "evil" God purposes is not moral wickedness but the calamitous judgment (e.g., invasion, destruction, exile) He intends to inflict as a just consequence of their persistent sin. The phrase underscores God's sovereignty and His deliberate, purposed action in response to human rebellion.
* **"that they may return every man from his evil way;"**: This clause reveals the divine purpose behind the warning: to elicit genuine repentance. "Return" (Hebrew: *shuv*) signifies a complete turning away from their current course of life. The emphasis on "every man" highlights individual accountability and the need for a personal transformation, not just a superficial change. Their "evil way" encompasses their idolatry, injustice, and disobedience to God's covenant.
* **"that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin."**: This final clause expresses God's ultimate desire and the gracious outcome of true repentance. "Forgive" (Hebrew: *salach*) denotes a divine act of pardon, a willingness to absolve guilt and remove the penalty of wrongdoing. "Iniquity" (Hebrew: *avon*) often refers to the perversity or guilt of sin, implying a distortion of character, while "sin" (Hebrew: *chatta'ah*) more broadly means "missing the mark" or failing to meet God's standard. Together, these terms encompass the full scope of their wrongdoing, which God is ready to pardon upon their genuine return.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 36:3 employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is the **Conditional Clause**, introduced by "It may be that," which creates a sense of divine hope and contingency. This structure highlights God's desire for a different outcome than the one necessitated by Judah's current path, emphasizing His long-suffering patience. There is also an element of **Anthropomorphism** in the phrase "all the evil which I purpose to do unto them." While "evil" here refers to calamity or disaster, the language attributes to God a human-like intention or design, making His impending judgment tangible and understandable to the audience. The pairing of "iniquity and their sin" demonstrates **Merism** or **Parallelism**, where two related terms are used to encompass the entirety of a concept – in this case, the full spectrum of human wrongdoing and rebellion against God. This emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the forgiveness God offers. Finally, the verse itself functions as a **Prophetic Warning**, a common device in Jeremiah, serving not merely to predict the future but to actively call for a change in behavior to avert the predicted doom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 36:3 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of God's justice, mercy, and the critical role of human repentance within the covenant relationship. It reveals a God who, though righteous in His judgment against sin, is also incredibly patient and desirous of reconciliation. The "evil" He purposes is not arbitrary malice but the just consequence of Judah's persistent rebellion, a divine response designed to bring about a turning. Yet, even in the face of such impending judgment, His primary motivation is to offer a path to forgiveness. This demonstrates the conditional aspect of many Old Testament prophecies of judgment, where a change in human behavior can lead to a change in divine action. The verse underscores that God's ultimate goal is not destruction but restoration, provided His people respond with genuine contrition and a decisive turning from their sinful ways.

* [Ezekiel 18:21-23](/ezekiel/18-21 "Ezekiel 18:21-23 - Repentance Leads to Life")
* [Jonah 3:10](/jonah/3-10 "Jonah 3:10 - God Relents from Disaster")
* [2 Chronicles 7:14](/2_chronicles/7-14 "2 Chronicles 7:14 - God's Promise to Heal the Land")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 36:3 serves as a timeless mirror for individuals and communities today, reflecting God's enduring character and His consistent call to humanity. It reminds us that God's warnings, whether delivered through Scripture, the prompting of conscience, or the circumstances of life, are not merely declarations of doom but gracious opportunities for re-evaluation and change. They are invitations to escape the natural consequences of our "evil ways." The verse challenges us to consider our own lives: are there areas where we are stubbornly pursuing a path contrary to God's will? Do we genuinely "hear" His warnings, not just intellectually, but with a heart prepared to respond? True repentance, a decisive turning from our sinful practices and attitudes, is presented as the essential pathway to experiencing God's profound forgiveness and averting the spiritual or natural consequences of our rebellion. This passage encourages a posture of humility and responsiveness, trusting that God's mercy is always available to those who sincerely turn to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I typically respond to warnings, whether from God's Word or life circumstances? Do I see them as threats or opportunities for change?**
* **What "evil ways" (habits, attitudes, actions) might God be calling me to "return" from in my own life? What would a genuine "turning" look like for me?**
* **How does God's willingness to forgive, even in the face of severe judgment, deepen my understanding of His character and motivate my own repentance?**

### FAQ
**Why does God "purpose to do evil" if He is good?**

Answer: The term "evil" (Hebrew: *ra'*) in Jeremiah 36:3, when attributed to God's purpose, refers not to moral wickedness but to calamity, disaster, or judgment. It signifies the severe, punitive consequences that God, in His perfect justice, brings upon a people or individual due to their persistent moral evil and rebellion against His righteous standards. God is inherently good and incapable of moral evil. His "purposing evil" in this context is a righteous act of judgment, a just response to the "evil way" of Judah (their idolatry, injustice, and disobedience). It's a demonstration of His holiness and sovereignty, where He orchestrates events to bring about deserved discipline or correction, as seen in other prophetic warnings like those in [Isaiah 45:7](/isaiah/45-7 "Isaiah 45:7 - God Creates Good and Evil (Calamity)").

**Is God's forgiveness conditional on human repentance?**

Answer: In the context of Jeremiah 36:3 and much of the Old Testament, God's forgiveness for national or individual sin is indeed presented as conditional upon genuine repentance. The verse explicitly states, "that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin." This highlights a fundamental principle: while God is merciful and desires to forgive, His forgiveness is extended to those who humbly acknowledge their sin and turn away from it. This is not to say that God's grace is earned, but that repentance is the necessary human response that positions one to receive the divine pardon that God is eager to grant. This principle is echoed throughout Scripture, such as in [Acts 3:19](/acts/3-19 "Acts 3:19 - Repent and Be Converted"), where repentance leads to the blotting out of sins.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 36:3, with its emphasis on God's warning, the call to repentance, and the promise of forgiveness, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Judah was called to "return every man from his evil way" to avert temporal judgment, Christ's advent inaugurated the definitive call to repentance for the forgiveness of eternal sin. Jesus Himself began His ministry proclaiming, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; [repent and believe in the gospel](/mark/1-15 "Mark 1:15 - Repent and Believe the Gospel")." He is the ultimate Lamb of God whose sacrifice on the cross provided the perfect and complete atonement for "iniquity and sin," making divine forgiveness accessible not merely by turning from an "evil way" but by turning *to Him* as the Way, the Truth, and the Life ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). The "evil" God purposed in Jeremiah's day was temporal judgment, but through Christ, humanity is warned of eternal separation from God, and offered the means of escape through His atoning work. The New Covenant, established in His blood, promises not just a conditional forgiveness but a radical transformation of the heart, enabling a true and lasting "return" to God, where sins are remembered no more ([Hebrews 8:10-12](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10-12 - The New Covenant")). Thus, the hope of Jeremiah 36:3 for a people turning and receiving forgiveness is gloriously realized in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies God's desire to pardon and restore.

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 18:8

If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.

Acts 3:19

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

Jeremiah 26:3

If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings.

Deuteronomy 30:2

And shalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul;

Ezekiel 12:3

Therefore, thou son of man, prepare thee stuff for removing, and remove by day in their sight; and thou shalt remove from thy place to another place in their sight: it may be they will consider, though they [be] a rebellious house.

Jeremiah 36:7

It may be they will present their supplication before the LORD, and will return every one from his evil way: for great [is] the anger and the fury that the LORD hath pronounced against this people.

Deuteronomy 30:8

And thou shalt return and obey the voice of the LORD, and do all his commandments which I command thee this day.