Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.
What does Jeremiah 18:18 mean?
When the prophet called to repentance, instead of obeying the call, the people devised devices against him.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside Jeremiah 18:18-19 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Jeremiah 18:18
Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words. The Jews were only hardened by the foregoing prophecy, and determined to compass Jeremiah's death. Let us devise devices - i. e., "deliberately frame a plot" for his ruin (see Jeremiah 18:11 note). The law shall not perish ... - As the Law of Moses was imperishable, the people probably drew the conclusion that the Levitical priesthood must also endure forever, and therefore that Jeremiah's predictions of national ruin were blasphemous (compare Acts 6:13-14 ).
Key words
- they
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Then said they, come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah,.
- Come
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Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.
- devise
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Then said they, come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah,.
Context in Jeremiah 18
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Jeremiah 18 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as conflict with kings, priests, and prophets. Jeremiah combines fierce warning, autobiographical anguish, symbolic action, the promise of a new covenant, and the trauma of Jerusalem’s fall. Read this chapter with the wider themes of judgment, tears, and new covenant in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
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Key texts on public righteousness, neighbor-love, social ethics, compassion, and the prophetic refusal to separate worship from justice.
Glossary
- Jeremiah Person
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Raised up or appointed by Jehovah. (1. ) A Gadite who joined David in the wilderness ( 1 Chr. 12:10 ). (2. ) A Gadite warrior ( 1 Chr. 12:13 ). (3. ) A Benjamite slinger who joined David at Ziklag ( 1 Chr. 12:4 ).