And I will persecute them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be removed to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, and an astonishment, and an hissing, and a reproach, among all the nations whither I have driven them:

JEREMIAH 29:18KJV
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Jeremiah 29:18 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 29:18 mean?

Jeremiah 29:18 describes how God will bring severe judgment on the people of Judah, sending sword, famine, and disease against them and scattering them among foreign nations, where they will become an object of scorn and shame. The verse emphasizes the seriousness of their punishment, making them a warning and a byword among the nations wherever they are sent.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is relaying God’s message to the people of Judah who have persistently disobeyed Him. The setting is the time of the Babylonian exile, and God is explaining the consequences for those who have not listened to His warnings. The language highlights the totality of the disaster: not only will they suffer physically, but their reputation will be ruined among all the surrounding peoples.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 29:18

  • "Persecute" (רָדַף, radaph) means to pursue or chase relentlessly. Here, it shows that the troubles—sword, famine, and pestilence—will not be accidental but will actively follow the people.
  • "Removed" (זוּעַ, zu'a or זָעָה, za'ah) carries the sense of being tossed about or scattered. This word highlights the forced and chaotic nature of their exile.
  • "Curse" (אָלָה, alah) refers to being made an example of misfortune. The people will become a living warning to others.
  • "Astonishment" (שַׁמָּה, shammah) means something shocking or appalling. Their fate will cause others to be horrified.
  • "Hissing" (שְׁרֵקָה, shreqah) refers to a gesture of scorn or mockery, like someone hissing in contempt. This shows the depth of the disgrace they will experience.

Why Jeremiah 29:18 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the consequences for persistent disobedience are not just physical suffering but also public shame and humiliation among other nations.
  • Jeremiah 29:18 connects to the larger message of the chapter, where God distinguishes between those who listen to His word and those who ignore it, showing the seriousness of ignoring God’s warnings.
  • The verse helps explain why the exile was so devastating for Judah—not only were they removed from their land, but their identity and reputation were shattered among the nations.

Where else these words appear

“removed” Hebrew H2113 · used in 6 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 29:8 Wherefore the wrath of the LORD was upon Judah and Jerusalem, and he hath delivered them to trouble, to astonishment, and to hissing, as ye see with your eyes.
  • Isaiah 28:19 From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.
  • Jeremiah 24:9 And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for their hurt, to be a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places whither I shall drive them.

“removed” Hebrew H2189 · used in 7 verses

  • Deuteronomy 28:25 The LORD shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.
  • Jeremiah 15:4 And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem.
  • Jeremiah 34:17 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Ye have not hearkened unto me, in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother, and every man to his neighbour: behold, I proclaim a liberty for you, saith the LORD, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; and I will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.

“hissing” Hebrew H8322 · used in 7 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 29:8 Wherefore the wrath of the LORD was upon Judah and Jerusalem, and he hath delivered them to trouble, to astonishment, and to hissing, as ye see with your eyes.
  • Jeremiah 25:9 Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations.
  • Jeremiah 51:37 And Babylon shall become heaps, a dwellingplace for dragons, an astonishment, and an hissing, without an inhabitant.

“curse” Hebrew H423 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 24:41 Then shalt thou be clear from this my oath, when thou comest to my kindred; and if they give not thee one, thou shalt be clear from my oath.
  • Deuteronomy 29:21 And the LORD shall separate him unto evil out of all the tribes of Israel, according to all the curses of the covenant that are written in this book of the law:
  • Isaiah 24:6 Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.