Jeremiah 18:17

Judgment

¹⁵ Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up;

¹⁶ To make their land desolate, and a perpetual hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished, and wag his head.

I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I will shew them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity.

¹⁸ 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.

¹⁹ Give heed to me, O LORD, and hearken to the voice of them that contend with me.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: I will scatter them before the enemy like the east wind. I will show them My back and not My face in the day of their calamity.”
KJV: I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I will shew them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity.
WEB: 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.
ASV: 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.
DARBY: As with an east wind will I scatter them before the enemy; I will shew them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity.
BLB: I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; and I will show them the back and not the face, in the day of their calamity!”

ÅB: Som østenvinden vil jeg adsprede dem for fiendens åsyn; med nakken og ikke med ansiktet vil jeg se på dem på deres ulykkes dag.
OTB: Som en sterk østlig vind vil jeg spre dem foran fienden; jeg vil vende meg bort fra dem og ikke vise Mitt ansikt på deres ulykkes dag.
B1930: Som østenvinden vil jeg adsprede dem for fiendens åsyn; med nakken og ikke med ansiktet vil jeg se på dem på deres ulykkes dag.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Jeremiah 13:24
Therefore will I scatter them as the stubble that passeth away by the wind of the wilderness.
Read in context
Jeremiah 2:27
Saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us.
Read in context
Hosea 13:15
Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels.
Read in context
Job 27:21
The east wind carrieth him away, and he departeth: and as a storm hurleth him out of his place.
Read in context
Psalms 48:7
Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.
Read in context
Jeremiah 46:21
Also her hired men are in the midst of her like fatted bullocks; for they also are turned back, and are fled away together: they did not stand, because the day of their calamity was come upon them, and the time of their visitation.
Read in context
Jeremiah 32:33
And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught them, rising up early and teaching them, yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction.
Read in context
Judges 10:13–14
Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more.
Read in context