Yet, LORD, thou knowest all their counsel against me to slay me: forgive not their iniquity, neither blot out their sin from thy sight, but let them be overthrown before thee; deal thus with them in the time of thine anger.

JEREMIAH 18:23KJV
Know the Bible

Jeremiah 18:23 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 18:23 mean?

Jeremiah 18:23 records the prophet Jeremiah asking the LORD not to forgive the sins of those plotting to kill him, but instead to let them face the consequences of their actions when God’s anger comes. Jeremiah appeals to God’s knowledge of their plans and asks for justice rather than mercy for his enemies.

In this verse, Jeremiah is speaking directly to God about people in his own community who are secretly planning his death because of his prophetic warnings. Jeremiah’s prayer is raw and honest, showing his distress and his sense of danger. The verse highlights both Jeremiah’s trust that God sees everything and his plea for God to act decisively against those who are doing evil.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 18:23

  • “LORD” (יְהוָה, Yahweh): Jeremiah addresses God by His personal name, emphasizing a close and direct appeal.
  • “knowest” (יָדַע, yada‘): This word means to know intimately or completely. Jeremiah is confident that God fully understands the hidden intentions of his enemies.
  • “forgive” (כָּפַר, kaphar): Often translated as “cover” or “atone,” here Jeremiah asks God not to cover over or remove their guilt.
  • “iniquity” (עָוֹן, ‘avon) and “sin” (חַטָּאָה, chatta’ah): These words refer to moral wrongdoing and rebellion against God. Jeremiah uses both to stress the seriousness of their actions.

Why Jeremiah 18:23 matters

  • Jeremiah 18:23 shows that even faithful people like Jeremiah sometimes pray for justice and not just mercy, especially when facing real harm.
  • This verse helps readers understand the emotional and personal cost of being a prophet in a hostile environment.
  • Jeremiah’s prayer connects to the wider passage, where God warns of judgment but also offers hope if people turn back—here, Jeremiah is asking God to let justice fall on those who refuse to repent.

Where else these words appear

“out” Hebrew H4229 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 6:7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.
  • Deuteronomy 25:19 Therefore it shall be, when the LORD thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget it.
  • Psalms 69:28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.

“overthrown” Hebrew H3782 · used in 59 verses

  • Leviticus 26:37 And they shall fall one upon another, as it were before a sword, when none pursueth: and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies.
  • Isaiah 3:8 For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory.
  • Jeremiah 50:32 And the most proud shall stumble and fall, and none shall raise him up: and I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it shall devour all round about him.

“counsel” Hebrew H6098 · used in 85 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:28 For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them.
  • Job 21:16 Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
  • Isaiah 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

“forgive” Hebrew H3722 · used in 94 verses

  • Genesis 6:14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.
  • Leviticus 14:21 And if he be poor, and cannot get so much; then he shall take one lamb for a trespass offering to be waved, to make an atonement for him, and one tenth deal of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering, and a log of oil;
  • Numbers 25:13 And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel.