Jeremiah 17:18 Meaning and Explanation
“Let them be confounded that persecute me, but let not me be confounded: let them be dismayed, but let not me be dismayed: bring upon them the day of evil, and destroy them with double destruction.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jeremiah calls for God to shame his persecutors while preserving him, and to bring judgment on them with doubled severity.
The Context of Jeremiah 17:18
Jeremiah calls on God to vindicate him by bringing judgment on those who persecute him.
What Does Jeremiah 17:18 Mean?
The prayer is structured as a mirror: as his enemies are confounded, dismayed, and destroyed, Jeremiah asks to remain unconfounded and undismayed. This is not selfish vindictiveness but a request for justice—that the guilty bear their guilt and the faithful be vindicated. The 'day of evil' he earlier prayed not to face is now called down on his persecutors.
'Double destruction' intensifies the judgment, suggesting a proportional response to the intensity of persecution. The prayer reflects the psalmist's conviction that God's justice will ultimately distinguish between the righteous and their oppressors.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 17:18
What does Jeremiah 17:18 mean?
Jeremiah calls for God to shame his persecutors while preserving him, and to bring judgment on them with doubled severity.
What is the context of Jeremiah 17:18?
Jeremiah calls on God to vindicate him by bringing judgment on those who persecute him.