Read & explore together
Jeremiah Responds to Another Plot
Jeremiah 18:18–23 records a hard prayer from someone under threat. The passage shows hostile speech, Jeremiah’s appeal to Yahweh, and his severe requests for judgement against those plotting harm.
Understanding the passage
Read these words in context
In these verses, opponents speak together about Jeremiah. They say the law will not perish from the priest, counsel from the wise, or the word from the prophet, so they plan to attack Jeremiah with their speech and refuse his words. Jeremiah then turns to Yahweh in prayer.
Jeremiah 18:18–23Main takeaway
This passage shows Jeremiah bringing both danger and outrage to Yahweh in prayer, including complaint and requests for judgement.
Explore the prayer
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A plot against JeremiahThe passage opens with opponents planning together. They say law, counsel, and word will still continue from other recognised sources, so they decide not to heed Jeremiah.
Explanation
The passage opens with opponents planning together. They say law, counsel, and word will still continue from other recognised sources, so they decide not to heed Jeremiah. Instead, they want to “strike him with the tongue”, showing that speech can be used as a weapon against him.
02A two-part appeal to YahwehJeremiah responds by praying. First he says, “Give heed to me, Yahweh.” Then he adds, “listen to the voice of those who contend with me.”
Explanation
Jeremiah responds by praying. First he says, “Give heed to me, Yahweh.” Then he adds, “listen to the voice of those who contend with me.” He brings both his own plea and the hostile voices before Yahweh, asking God to attend to the whole conflict.
03Evil for goodJeremiah asks whether evil should be repaid for good. He says his enemies have dug a pit for his soul, yet he remembers standing before Yahweh to speak good for them and to turn away wrath from them.
Explanation
Jeremiah asks whether evil should be repaid for good. He says his enemies have dug a pit for his soul, yet he remembers standing before Yahweh to speak good for them and to turn away wrath from them. The contrast sharpens his complaint.
04Jeremiah’s requested judgementsJeremiah’s prayer then asks for severe judgement: famine, sword, widowhood, battle, cries from houses, and overthrow before Yahweh.
Explanation
Jeremiah’s prayer then asks for severe judgement: famine, sword, widowhood, battle, cries from houses, and overthrow before Yahweh. The passage is not narrating that these things happened here. It records Jeremiah’s own requests in prayer while he says Yahweh knows their counsel against him to kill him.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What reasons do Jeremiah’s opponents give for ignoring him, and what do they plan to do instead?
Notice the three continuing sources they name, then the phrases about not giving heed and striking him “with the tongue”.
02What are the two parts of Jeremiah’s appeal in verse 19?
Read carefully for both requests: one about Yahweh giving heed to Jeremiah, and one about listening to the voice of those contending with him.
03How does Jeremiah describe the difference between his actions and theirs?
Compare their pit and counsel against him with his standing before Yahweh to speak good for them.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Jeremiah 18:18–23
18Then they said, “Come! Let’s devise plans against Jeremiah; for the law won’t perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let’s strike him with the tongue, and let’s not give heed to any of his words.”
19Give heed to me, Yahweh, and listen to the voice of those who contend with me.
20Should evil be recompensed for good? For they have dug a pit for my soul. Remember how I stood before you to speak good for them, to turn away your wrath from them.
21Therefore deliver up their children to the famine, and give them over to the power of the sword. Let their wives become childless and widows. Let their men be killed and their young men struck by the sword in battle.
22Let a cry be heard from their houses when you bring a troop suddenly on them; for they have dug a pit to take me and hidden snares for my feet.
23Yet, Yahweh, you know all their counsel against me to kill me. Don’t forgive their iniquity. Don’t blot out their sin from your sight, Let them be overthrown before you. Deal with them in the time of your anger.