Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood.

JEREMIAH 48:10KJV
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Jeremiah 48:10 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 48:10 mean?

Jeremiah 48:10 warns that anyone who carries out the LORD’s work in a dishonest or half-hearted way is under a curse, and so is anyone who refuses to carry out judgment when it is required. The verse speaks to the seriousness of faithfully doing what God has commanded, especially in times of judgment.

In this chapter, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking God’s message about judgment against Moab, a neighboring nation. The verse highlights that God expects those acting on His behalf—likely the Babylonian invaders here—not to be deceitful (doing the LORD’s work “deceitfully”) or to hold back from carrying out their task (“keepeth back his sword from blood”). The language stresses that God’s commands are not to be taken lightly or performed with reluctance.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 48:10

  • "Deceitfully" (רְמִיָּה, remiyyah) means with slackness, negligence, or treachery. The word here points to doing God’s work carelessly or with a divided heart, not just outright lying.
  • "Keepeth back" (מָנַע, manaʿ) means to withhold or restrain. In this context, it refers to someone refusing to fully carry out the task of judgment, possibly out of pity or fear.
  • "Sword" (חֶרֶב, cherev) and "blood" (דָּם, dam) together make it clear that the work in question is violent judgment, not just any task.

Why Jeremiah 48:10 matters

  • Jeremiah 48:10 clarifies that God holds people accountable not just for what they do, but for how faithfully and wholeheartedly they do it, especially when carrying out His commands.
  • The verse helps explain the seriousness of the judgment against Moab, showing that even the agents of judgment are under God’s scrutiny.
  • This verse connects to a broader biblical theme: God does not approve of half-hearted obedience or selective following of His instructions.

Where else these words appear

“deceitfully” Hebrew H7423 · used in 15 verses

  • Job 13:7 Will ye speak wickedly for God? and talk deceitfully for him?
  • Psalms 78:57 But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.
  • Proverbs 12:24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.

“back” Hebrew H4513 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 30:2 And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God's stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?
  • Job 22:7 Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, and thou hast withholden bread from the hungry.
  • Proverbs 30:7 Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die:

“Cursed” Hebrew H779 · used in 52 verses

  • Genesis 3:14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
  • Numbers 24:9 He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.
  • Joshua 6:26 And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it.

“work” Hebrew H4399 · used in 149 verses

  • Genesis 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
  • Numbers 28:26 Also in the day of the firstfruits, when ye bring a new meat offering unto the LORD, after your weeks be out, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work:
  • 2 Chronicles 24:12 And the king and Jehoiada gave it to such as did the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and hired masons and carpenters to repair the house of the LORD, and also such as wrought iron and brass to mend the house of the LORD.