Jeremiah 18:10

10 if it do evil in my sight, that it hearken not unto my voice, then I will repent of the good wherewith I said I would benefit them.

Jeremiah 18:10 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 18:10

If it do evil in my sight
What is sinful, contrary to the law and will of God, openly and publicly, in a bold and daring manner: that it obey not my voice:
in my word, and by my prophets, but turn a deaf ear to them, and slight and despise all instructions, admonitions, and reproofs: then I will repent of the good wherewith I said I would benefit them;
or, "do them good" ^F20; that is, withhold it from them, and not bestow it on them; but, on the contrary, correct or punish them according to their deserts. Thus, though God is a sovereign God, yet, in the dispensations of his providence towards kingdoms and nations, he deals with them in such a merciful and equitable manner, that there is no just reason to complain of him; and yet he maintains and keeps up his power and authority, such as the potter exercises over the clay.

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FOOTNOTES:

F20 (wtwa byjyhl) "ad benefaciendum ei", Montanus; "ut benefacerem ei", Valablus, Pagninus; "benefacturum ei", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.

Jeremiah 18:10 In-Context

8 if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turn from their evil, then I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.

9 And at the moment that I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant,

10 if it do evil in my sight, that it hearken not unto my voice, then I will repent of the good wherewith I said I would benefit them.

11 And now, speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith Jehovah: Behold, I prepare evil against you, and devise a device against you: turn ye then every one from his evil way, and amend your ways and your doings.

12 But they say, There is no hope; for we will walk after our own devices, and we will each one do [according to] the stubbornness of his evil heart.