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Jeremiah 18:17

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 18:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I will show them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I will show them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity.
Jeremiah 18:17 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 18

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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;
16to make their land an astonishment, and a perpetual hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished, and shake his head.
17I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I will show them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity.
18Then 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.
19Give heed to me, O Jehovah, and hearken to the voice of them that contend with me.
20Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have digged a pit for my soul. Remember how I stood before thee to speak good for them, to turn away thy wrath from them.
← Jeremiah 18:16Jeremiah 18:18 →
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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
“I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy, etc.] As the east wind, which is generally strong and boisterous, drives the chaff and stubble, and anything that is light, before it, and scatters it here and there; so the Lord threatens to scatter the people of the Jews over the face of the earth, before their enemies, whom they should not be able to withstand. It denotes the power of the enemy God would make use of; the ease with which this should be done; and the utter dispersion of them; and is their present case: I will show them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity; that is, will not look upon them in a favourable way, nor with any pity and compassion for…”
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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
“as with an east wind--literally, "I will scatter them, as an east wind (scatters all before it)": a most violent wind (Job 27:21; Psa 48:7; Isa 27:8). Thirty-two manuscripts read (without as), "with an east wind." I will show them the back . . . not . . . face--just retribution: as "they turned their back unto Me . . . not their face" (Jer 2:27).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“I will shew them the back - The hiding of God’s face is the sure sign of His displeasure Isaiah 1:15; Isaiah 59:2. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“East wind - The east wind was in those parts the fiercest wind. As the east - wind scatters the chaff, so saith God, I will scatter them. In their calamity - And when they shall be in great calamity, I will turn my back upon them, I will not regard their prayers. Jeremiah 18:18”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“scatter: Jer 13:24; Deu 28:25, Deu 28:64; Job 27:21; Psa 48:7; Hos 13:15 show: Jer 2:27, Jer 32:33; Deu 31:17; Jdg 10:13, Jdg 10:14 the day: Jer 46:21; Deu 32:35; Pro 7:25, Pro 7:26 Jeremiah 18:18”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification