If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings.

JEREMIAH 26:3KJV
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Jeremiah 26:3 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 26:3 mean?

Jeremiah 26:3 describes God’s willingness to change His planned judgment if the people of Judah listen and turn away from their wrongdoing. God says He may “repent” of the disaster He intends to bring because of their evil actions, showing that their response can affect what happens next.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to the people of Jerusalem, warning them about the consequences of their behavior. The verse shows that God’s warnings are not just threats—He genuinely hopes the people will change, and He is open to showing mercy if they do. The focus is on personal responsibility, as each person is called to turn from “his evil way.”

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 26:3

  • “Hearken” (שָׁמַע, shama‘) means to listen attentively or obey. The word stresses not just hearing, but responding with action, which is central to the verse’s call for change.
  • “Repent” (נָחַם, nacham) here means to relent or change one’s mind about a planned action. It does not mean God has sinned, but that He is willing to withhold judgment if the people truly change.
  • “Turn” (שׁוּב, shuv) means to return or turn back, often used for repentance. The emphasis is on a real change in direction, not just feeling sorry.
  • “Evil” (רַע, ra‘) appears several times, describing both the people’s actions and the judgment God threatens. The repetition highlights the connection between their behavior and the consequences.

Why Jeremiah 26:3 matters

  • This verse clarifies that God’s warnings are meant to lead people to change, not just to announce punishment. God’s desire is for repentance, not destruction.
  • The verse shows that individuals are responsible for their own choices—each person must “turn from his evil way,” not just rely on group identity or ritual.
  • Jeremiah 26:3 connects to the broader message of the chapter, where Jeremiah is calling the people to genuine repentance and showing that God’s justice is balanced by His mercy.

Where else these words appear

“evil” Hebrew H7455 · used in 19 verses

  • Genesis 41:19 And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill favoured and leanfleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness:
  • Isaiah 1:16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
  • Jeremiah 24:3 Then said the LORD unto me, What seest thou, Jeremiah? And I said, Figs; the good figs, very good; and the evil, very evil, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.

“doings” Hebrew H4611 · used in 41 verses

  • Deuteronomy 28:20 The LORD shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me.
  • Jeremiah 4:4 Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.
  • Jeremiah 32:19 Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:

“repent” Hebrew H5162 · used in 100 verses

  • Genesis 5:29 And he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed.
  • Job 29:25 I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one that comforteth the mourners.
  • Jeremiah 18:8 If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.

“purpose” Hebrew H2803 · used in 122 verses

  • Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
  • 2 Chronicles 9:20 And all the drinking vessels of king Solomon were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold: none were of silver; it was not any thing accounted of in the days of Solomon.
  • Proverbs 27:14 He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.