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Jeremiah 4:18

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Thy way and thy doings have procured these [things] unto thee; this [is] thy wickedness, because it is bitter, because it reacheth unto thine heart.

Thy way {H1870} and thy doings {H4611} have procured {H6213} these things unto thee; this is thy wickedness {H7451}, because it is bitter {H4751}, because it reacheth {H5060} unto thine heart {H3820}.

"Your own ways and your actions have brought these things on yourselves. This is your wickedness, so bitter! It has reached your very heart."

“Your ways and deeds have brought this upon you. This is your punishment; how bitter it is, because it pierces to the heart!”

Thy way and thy doings have procured these things unto thee; this is thy wickedness; for it is bitter, for it reacheth unto thy heart.

Commentary

This verse from Jeremiah delivers a stark message about the direct connection between Judah's actions and the calamities befalling them. It is a declaration that their suffering is not arbitrary but a direct consequence of their own sinfulness.

Context

Jeremiah prophesied during a critical period in Judah's history, leading up to the Babylonian exile. Chapters 4-6 are filled with warnings of impending judgment and invasion, urging the people to repent. Jeremiah 4:18 specifically places the blame for the coming disaster squarely on the shoulders of the people, stating that their own conduct has brought it upon them. The "these things" likely refers to the imminent invasion and destruction foretold throughout the preceding verses in this chapter and others, such as the description of the devastating enemy from the north.

Key Themes

  • Accountability: The verse emphasizes that individuals and nations are accountable for their actions. Their "way and thy doings" are the direct cause of their misfortune.
  • The Nature of Sin: Sin is described as "wickedness" that is inherently "bitter." It's not just an external act but something deeply corrupting that "reacheth unto thine heart," indicating its profound internal impact and origin.
  • Self-Inflicted Consequences: The suffering is not random punishment from a distant God, but something they have "procured" or brought upon themselves through their choices. This highlights the natural, painful outcome of persistent rebellion against God. This concept of sin leading to negative consequences is a recurring theme in scripture, as seen in passages describing how sin separates from God's blessings.

Linguistic Insights

The word translated "procured" is the Hebrew verb qārâ, which means to meet, encounter, or happen upon. In this context, it suggests that their actions have caused these negative events to "happen upon" them or that they have effectively "met with" the consequences they earned. The term "wickedness" is from the Hebrew rā‘â, which encompasses evil, affliction, and calamity, linking their moral state directly to their experience of suffering. The phrase "reacheth unto thine heart" (Hebrew: nāga‘ ‘ad-lēb) underscores that their sin was not superficial but rooted deeply in their inner being, the seat of their will and desires, echoing the idea that the heart is deceitful.

Reflection

Jeremiah 4:18 serves as a timeless reminder that our choices have consequences. Sin is not a harmless act; it is wickedness that leads to bitterness and suffering, impacting us at the deepest level of our being. This verse calls us to examine our own "way and doings" and recognize that problems in our lives may stem from our own rebellion or failure to follow God's path. True change requires addressing the root of wickedness in the "heart," seeking God's transformation rather than simply dealing with the external consequences. It points to the need for a fundamental internal change, something God promises to provide, as seen in the promise of giving a new heart.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 2:19 (6 votes)

    Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that [it is] an evil [thing] and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear [is] not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.

  • Psalms 107:17 (5 votes)

    ¶ Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.

  • Jeremiah 2:17 (4 votes)

    Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, when he led thee by the way?

  • Isaiah 50:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ Thus saith the LORD, Where [is] the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors [is it] to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.

  • Proverbs 1:31 (4 votes)

    Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

  • Jeremiah 6:19 (3 votes)

    Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, [even] the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.

  • Proverbs 5:22 (2 votes)

    His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.