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Jeremiah 18:12

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 18:12 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But they say, It is in vain; for we will walk after our own devices, and we will do every one after the stubbornness of his evil heart.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But they say, It is in vain; for we will walk after our own devices, and we will do every one after the stubbornness of his evil heart.
Jeremiah 18:12 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 18

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
9And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it;
10if they do that which is evil in my sight, that they obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.
11Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith Jehovah: Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: return ye now every one from his evil way, and amend your ways and your doings.
12But they say, It is in vain; for we will walk after our own devices, and we will do every one after the stubbornness of his evil heart.
13Therefore thus saith Jehovah: Ask ye now among the nations, who hath heard such things; the virgin of Israel hath done a very horrible thing.
14Shall the snow of Lebanon fail from the rock of the field? [or] shall the cold waters that flow down from afar be dried up?
15For my people have forgotten me, they have burned incense to false [gods]; and they have been made to stumble in their ways, in the ancient paths, to walk in bypaths, in a way not cast up;
← Jeremiah 18:11Jeremiah 18:13 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And they said, there is no hope, etc.] Or, “but they said”f383; not that there was no hope of the grace and mercy of God, upon their repentance and reformation, for that is before declared; but that they were so hardened in their sins, so fixed in their wicked courses, and so determined to go on in them, that there was no room for the prophet to hope of ever reclaiming them; signifying, that it was to little purpose to talk to them, or exhort them; his labour would be in vain; for they were at a point, and resolved to continue in their evil practices, let the consequences be what they would. Jarchi’s note is, “but I know that they will say to thee concerning thy words, that we do not care…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“no hope--Thy threats and exhortations are all thrown away (Jer 2:25). Our case is desperate; we are hopelessly abandoned to our sins and their penalty. In this and the following clauses, "We will walk after our own devices," Jeremiah makes them express the real state of the case, rather than the hypocritical subterfuges which they would have been inclined to put forth. So Isa 30:10-11.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And they said - Better, But they say. Imagination - Or, stubbornness, see Jeremiah 3:17. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“18:12 Instead of heeding the Lord’s message, the people of Judah ridiculed it, refused to change, and made a brazen commitment to pursue their own evil desires.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“There: Jer 2:25; Kg2 6:33; Isa 57:10; Eze 37:11 we will walk: Jer 3:17, Jer 7:24, Jer 11:8, Jer 16:12, Jer 23:17, Jer 44:17; Gen 6:5, Gen 8:21; Deu 29:19; Mar 7:21, Mar 7:22; Luk 1:51 Jeremiah 18:13”
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Related study paths

Read Jeremiah 18 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification