Jeremiah 36:7

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

It may be they will present {H5307} their supplication {H8467} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}, and will return {H7725} every one {H376} from his evil {H7451} way {H1870}: for great {H1419} is the anger {H639} and the fury {H2534} that the LORD {H3068} hath pronounced {H1696} against this people {H5971}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Perhaps they will turn to ADONAI in prayer and will return, each one, from his evil way. For the anger and fury which ADONAI has decreed against this people is great."

Berean Standard Bible

Perhaps they will bring their petition before the LORD, and each one will turn from his wicked way; for great are the anger and fury that the LORD has pronounced against this people.”

American Standard Version

It may be they will present their supplication before Jehovah, and will return every one from his evil way; for great is the anger and the wrath that Jehovah hath pronounced against this people.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 36:7 encapsulates a profound moment of divine grace and urgent warning during the reign of King Jehoiakim. It expresses a hopeful possibility that the people of Judah might humble themselves in supplication before the Lord and genuinely turn from their wicked ways. This plea for repentance is presented as the only recourse to avert the "great anger and fury" that the Lord had definitively pronounced against them due to their persistent idolatry and disobedience. The verse underscores God's enduring patience and desire for His people's restoration, even in the face of impending judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 36 is a pivotal chapter within the prophetic book, marking a significant attempt by Jeremiah to communicate God's word to a defiant Judah. The preceding chapters detail Jeremiah's consistent messages of impending judgment due to the nation's idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. Specifically, [Jeremiah 36:1-3](/jeremiah/36-1 "Jeremiah 36:1-3 - God's Command to Write the Scroll") records God's direct command to Jeremiah to compile all the prophecies spoken against Israel, Judah, and other nations since the days of Josiah into a scroll. This scroll was then dictated to Baruch, Jeremiah's scribe, and subsequently read publicly in the temple. Verse 7, therefore, articulates the explicit purpose behind this monumental undertaking: to provide a final, urgent opportunity for the people to repent and avoid the full brunt of God's righteous wrath. It serves as the theological rationale for the entire public reading event.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Jeremiah 36 unfold around 605-604 BC, during the reign of King Jehoiakim, a period characterized by political instability and spiritual apostasy. Judah was caught between the rising power of Babylon and the declining influence of Egypt. Jehoiakim, unlike his father Josiah, pursued policies that were hostile to Yahweh worship, promoting idolatry and persecuting prophets like Jeremiah. The public reading of the scroll occurred on a fast day, likely a time of national distress or mourning, which would have drawn a large crowd to the temple, making it an opportune moment for the divine message to reach a broad audience. Culturally, "supplication" (Hebrew: *teḥinnâh*) was a recognized form of earnest prayer, often accompanied by fasting and outward signs of humility, used when seeking divine favor or averting disaster. The concept of "returning from an evil way" (Hebrew: *shûwb*) was central to Israelite covenant theology, signifying a genuine turning from sin back to obedience to God's law.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 36:7 profoundly contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Warning and Impending Judgment**, emphasizing that God's pronouncements of wrath are not arbitrary but are a just response to persistent sin, as seen in [Jeremiah 25:8-11](/jeremiah/25-8 "Jeremiah 25:8-11 - Prophecy of Babylonian Captivity"). Secondly, it underscores God's **Enduring Mercy and Call to Repentance**, revealing that even in the face of severe judgment, God provides an opportunity for His people to turn back to Him, echoing the conditional promises found in [2 Chronicles 7:14](/2_chronicles/7-14 "2 Chronicles 7:14 - God's Promise of Healing Upon Repentance"). Lastly, the verse touches upon the theme of **Human Responsibility and Response to God's Word**. The efficacy of God's warning is contingent upon the people's willingness to "present their supplication" and "return from his evil way," demonstrating that divine action often intersects with human choice, a principle also seen in the narrative of [Jonah and Nineveh](/jonah/3 "Jonah 3 - Nineveh's Repentance").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Supplication (Hebrew, _tᵉchinnâh'_):** From H8467, this word denotes graciousness, but causatively, it refers to an earnest entreaty or plea for favor, grace, or mercy. It signifies a humble, often desperate, request for divine compassion, acknowledging one's unworthiness and dependence on God's unmerited favor. It is more than a general prayer; it's a specific, heartfelt appeal for God to relent or intervene graciously.
* **Return (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** From H7725, this primitive root means "to turn back" or "to turn away," transitively or intransitively. In this context, it carries the profound theological meaning of "repentance" – a decisive turning around from a previous course of action. It implies a change of direction, a cessation of evil practices, and a reorientation towards God's ways, signifying not just regret but a fundamental shift in behavior and allegiance.
* **Fury (Hebrew, _chêmâh'_):** From H2534, this word literally means "heat." Figuratively, it refers to intense anger, indignation, or rage. It can also imply poison, from its feverish quality. In Jeremiah 36:7, it describes the intense, burning wrath of God, a righteous and fervent displeasure against the persistent sin and rebellion of His people, signifying the severe and destructive consequences of their unfaithfulness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"It may be they will present their supplication before the LORD,"**: This clause introduces a hopeful, albeit conditional, possibility. The phrase "It may be" (perhaps implying "perhaps" or "perchance") suggests that the outcome is not predetermined but depends on the people's response. "Present their supplication" indicates a humble, earnest plea for mercy and favor, acknowledging God's sovereignty and their own desperate need. The act of presenting it "before the LORD" emphasizes the direct, personal nature of this appeal to God Himself.
* **"and will return every one from his evil way:"**: This second part of the conditional statement specifies the necessary action for divine favor. "Return every one" highlights the individual responsibility and the comprehensive nature of the required change – it's not just a collective act but a personal commitment from each person. "From his evil way" defines the object of this turning: a departure from their sinful conduct, idolatrous practices, and disobedience to God's covenant. This signifies genuine repentance, a change in both heart and action.
* **"for great [is] the anger and the fury that the LORD hath pronounced against this people."**: This final clause provides the urgent motivation for the preceding call to repentance. The conjunction "for" explains *why* supplication and repentance are so critical. The description of God's wrath as "great anger and fury" underscores its intensity and severity, conveying the dire consequences of their continued rebellion. The phrase "that the LORD hath pronounced" emphasizes the divine origin and certainty of this judgment; it is not a mere threat but a declared divine decree that will surely come to pass unless averted by genuine repentance.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 36:7 employs several powerful literary devices. **Conditional Clause** is central, introduced by "It may be," which sets up a clear cause-and-effect relationship: repentance *might* avert judgment. This highlights divine mercy while maintaining human agency. **Juxtaposition** is evident in the contrast between the potential for "supplication" and "return from evil way" and the certainty of "great anger and fury." This stark contrast emphasizes the gravity of the situation and the urgency of the call. The phrase "great anger and fury" serves as **Hyperbole** or **Intensification**, underscoring the extreme nature of God's righteous wrath against Judah's deep-seated sin, designed to evoke fear and motivate immediate action. Finally, the verse expresses **Divine Pathos**, revealing God's lamenting desire for His people to turn back to Him, even as His justice demands judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 36:7 is a profound theological statement on the nature of God's justice and mercy, and the critical role of human repentance. It reveals that while God is absolutely righteous in His judgment against sin, He is also infinitely patient and gracious, always providing a pathway for reconciliation. The "anger and fury" are not capricious but are the just consequences of covenant unfaithfulness and persistent evil. Yet, the very act of warning and offering a chance for "supplication" and "return" demonstrates God's profound desire for His people's salvation, preferring their repentance over their destruction. This tension between divine judgment and divine compassion is a hallmark of prophetic literature, emphasizing that God's warnings are often acts of grace designed to bring about a redemptive response.

* [2 Chronicles 7:14](/2_chronicles/7-14 "2 Chronicles 7:14 - God's Promise of Healing Upon Repentance")
* [Jonah 3:10](/jonah/3-10 "Jonah 3:10 - God Relents from Disaster When Nineveh Repents")
* [Ezekiel 33:11](/ezekiel/33-11 "Ezekiel 33:11 - God's Desire for the Wicked to Turn and Live")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 36:7 serves as a timeless reminder that God’s warnings are not meant to condemn but to call us to a place of genuine repentance and restoration. In our own lives, we often face consequences for our choices, and this verse encourages us to view difficult circumstances or divine convictions as opportunities for course correction. When the "anger and fury" of God's righteous displeasure are evident, whether in personal conviction of sin or societal brokenness, our first response should be humble supplication and a decisive turning from our "evil way." This involves not just regret for past actions, but a fundamental reorientation of our lives towards God's will. It challenges us to examine our hearts and behaviors, asking if we are truly listening to God's warnings and responding with the humility and obedience He desires, or if we are hardening our hearts against His gracious call to return.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "evil ways" might God be calling me to turn from in my own life today?**
* **How does my "supplication" before the Lord reflect genuine humility and a desire for His mercy, rather than just a plea for relief from consequences?**
* **In what areas of my life am I resisting God's warnings, and what might be the "anger and fury" that He has pronounced against such resistance?**

### FAQ
**What does "It may be they will present their supplication" imply about God's will?**

Answer: This phrase, "It may be" (Hebrew: *ʾûlay*), indicates a hopeful possibility rather than a certainty. It does not imply that God's will is uncertain, but rather that the outcome is contingent upon human response. God's ultimate desire is for His people to repent and live ([Ezekiel 33:11](/ezekiel/33-11 "Ezekiel 33:11 - God's Desire for the Wicked to Turn and Live")), but He respects human free will. The warning of judgment is a genuine expression of His righteous anger against sin, yet His provision of a means to avert it through repentance highlights His enduring mercy and patience. It shows that God's pronouncements of judgment are not always absolute and irreversible, but can be conditional upon a change of heart and action by the people, as seen in the case of Nineveh in [Jonah 3:10](/jonah/3-10 "Jonah 3:10 - God Relents from Disaster When Nineveh Repents").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 36:7, with its urgent call to repentance and supplication in the face of divine wrath, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. The "great anger and fury" pronounced against sin is fully satisfied in Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross. He became the propitiation for our sins ([1_john/2-2](/1_john/2-2 "1 John 2:2 - Jesus, the Atoning Sacrifice")), bearing the full brunt of God's righteous judgment that we deserved. Therefore, the call to "present their supplication before the LORD" and "return every one from his evil way" is now fundamentally a call to believe in and follow Jesus. Our "supplication" is offered through Christ, our great High Priest, who intercedes for us before the Father ([hebrews/7-25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Jesus, Our Intercessor")). The "return from his evil way" is the New Covenant repentance, empowered by the Holy Spirit, leading to a transformed life in Christ ([acts/3-19](/acts/3-19 "Acts 3:19 - Repent and Be Converted")). Through Him, we receive not only forgiveness but also the power to walk in newness of life, escaping the wrath to come and entering into reconciliation with God ([romans/5-9](/romans/5-9 "Romans 5:9 - Justified by His Blood, Saved from Wrath")). Thus, what was a conditional hope in Jeremiah becomes a certain reality for all who are 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

Jeremiah 36:3

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.

Hosea 5:15

I will go [and] return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.

Hosea 6:1

¶ Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.

Jeremiah 4:4

Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench [it], because of the evil of your doings.

2 Chronicles 33:12

And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,

2 Chronicles 33:13

And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he [was] God.

Lamentations 4:11

The LORD hath accomplished his fury; he hath poured out his fierce anger, and hath kindled a fire in Zion, and it hath devoured the foundations thereof.