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Jeremiah 3:5

Jeremiah 3:5 in Multiple Translations

Will He be angry forever? Will He be indignant to the end?’ This you have spoken, but you keep doing all the evil you can.”

Will he reserve his anger for ever? will he keep it to the end? Behold, thou hast spoken and done evil things as thou couldest.

Will he retain his anger for ever? will he keep it to the end? Behold, thou hast spoken and hast done evil things, and hast had thy way.

Will he be angry for ever? will he keep his wrath to the end? These things you have said, and have done evil and have had your way.

You won't be angry with me for a long time, will you? You won't go on being like that forever?” This is what you've said, but you keep on sinning as much as you can.

Wil he keepe his anger for euer? will he reserue it to the ende? thus hast thou spoken, but thou doest euill, euen more and more.

Doth He keep to the age? watch for ever?' Lo, these things thou hast spoken, And thou dost the evil things, and prevailest.

“‘Will he retain his anger forever? Will he keep it to the end?’ Behold, you have spoken and have done evil things, and have had your way.”

Will he retain his anger for ever? will he keep it to the end? Behold, thou hast spoken and done evil things as thou couldst.

Wilt thou be angry for ever, or wilt thou continue until the end? Behold, thou hast spoken, and hast done evil things, and hast been able.

So surely you will not [RHQ] be angry with me forever!’ But you will not quit sinning!”

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 3:5

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Jeremiah 3:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB הֲ/יִנְטֹ֣ר לְ/עוֹלָ֔ם אִם יִשְׁמֹ֖ר לָ/נֶ֑צַח הִנֵּ֥ה דברתי דִבַּ֛רְתְּ וַ/תַּעֲשִׂ֥י הָ/רָע֖וֹת וַ/תּוּכָֽל
הֲ/יִנְטֹ֣ר nâṭar H5201 to keep Part | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
לְ/עוֹלָ֔ם ʻôwlâm H5769 forever Prep | N-ms
אִם ʼim H518 if Conj
יִשְׁמֹ֖ר shâmar H8104 to keep V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
לָ/נֶ֑צַח netsach H5331 perpetuity Prep | N-ms
הִנֵּ֥ה hinnêh H2009 behold Part
דברתי dâbar H1696 to speak V-Piel-Perf-1cs
דִבַּ֛רְתְּ dâbar H1696 to speak V-Piel-Perf-2fs
וַ/תַּעֲשִׂ֥י ʻâsâh H6213 to make Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-2fs
הָ/רָע֖וֹת raʻ H7451 bad Art | N-fp
וַ/תּוּכָֽל yâkôl H3201 be able Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-2ms
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 3:5

הֲ/יִנְטֹ֣ר nâṭar H5201 "to keep" Part | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To keep or guard something means to watch over and protect it, like a shepherd guarding his flock. This word is used in the Bible to describe God keeping his promises and people keeping his commands.
Definition: 1) to keep, keep guard, reserve, maintain 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to keep, maintain 1a2) to keep, guard Aramaic equivalent: ne.tar (נְטַר "to keep" H5202)
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: bear grudge, keep(-er), reserve. See also: Leviticus 19:18; Song of Solomon 8:12; Psalms 103:9.
לְ/עוֹלָ֔ם ʻôwlâm H5769 "forever" Prep | N-ms
This word means forever or always, describing something that lasts an eternity. It is used in the Bible to describe God's eternal nature and his lasting promises.
Definition: : old/ancient 1) long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world 1a) ancient time, long time (of past) 1b) (of future) 1b1) for ever, always 1b2) continuous existence, perpetual 1b3) everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity
Usage: Occurs in 413 OT verses. KJV: alway(-s), ancient (time), any more, continuance, eternal, (for, (n-)) ever(-lasting, -more, of old), lasting, long (time), (of) old (time), perpetual, at any time, (beginning of the) world ([phrase] without end). Compare H5331 (נֶצַח), H5703 (עַד). See also: Genesis 3:22; 1 Kings 8:13; Psalms 5:12.
אִם ʼim H518 "if" Conj
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather
Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.
יִשְׁמֹ֖ר shâmar H8104 "to keep" V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To keep or obey means to protect, attend to, or guard something, like keeping a promise or watching over someone, as seen in the commands to observe the Sabbath.
Definition: : obey/observe 1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to keep, have charge of 1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life 1a2a) watch, watchman (participle) 1a3) to watch for, wait for 1a4) to watch, observe 1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory) 1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain 1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow) 1a8) to keep, preserve, protect 1a9) to keep, reserve 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware 1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain 1b3) to be kept, be guarded 1c) (Piel) to keep, pay heed 1d) (Hithpael) to keep oneself from
Usage: Occurs in 440 OT verses. KJV: beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man). See also: Genesis 2:15; Deuteronomy 11:1; 1 Kings 14:8.
לָ/נֶ֑צַח netsach H5331 "perpetuity" Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for perpetuity or everlastingness, often used to describe God's nature. It appears in Psalm 9:7, where the psalmist praises God's enduring presence. This word conveys the idea of something lasting forever.
Definition: 1) eminence, perpetuity, strength, victory, enduring, everlastingness 1a) eminence 1b) enduring of life 1c) endurance in time, perpetual, continual, unto the end 1d) everlastingness, ever
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: alway(-s), constantly, end, ([phrase] n-) ever(more), perpetual, strength, victory. See also: 1 Samuel 15:29; Psalms 74:10; Psalms 9:7.
הִנֵּ֥ה hinnêh H2009 "behold" Part
This Hebrew word is an expression that means 'behold' or 'look', often used to draw attention to something. It appears in Genesis and Isaiah, and is translated as 'behold' or 'lo' in the KJV.
Definition: behold, lo, see, if
Usage: Occurs in 799 OT verses. KJV: behold, lo, see. See also: Genesis 1:29; Genesis 42:35; Deuteronomy 19:18.
דברתי dâbar H1696 "to speak" V-Piel-Perf-1cs
To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.
Definition: : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
Usage: Occurs in 1049 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. See also: Genesis 8:15; Exodus 12:25; Leviticus 23:9.
דִבַּ֛רְתְּ dâbar H1696 "to speak" V-Piel-Perf-2fs
To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.
Definition: : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
Usage: Occurs in 1049 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. See also: Genesis 8:15; Exodus 12:25; Leviticus 23:9.
וַ/תַּעֲשִׂ֥י ʻâsâh H6213 "to make" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-2fs
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
הָ/רָע֖וֹת raʻ H7451 "bad" Art | N-fp
Ra means bad or evil, referring to moral or natural harm. It describes adversity, affliction, or distress, and is often used to convey a sense of misery or injury.
Definition: : harmful adj 1) bad, evil 1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant 1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery) 1c) evil, displeasing 1d) bad (of its kind-land, water, etc) 1e) bad (of value) 1f) worse than, worst (comparison) 1g) sad, unhappy 1h) evil (hurtful) 1i) bad, unkind (vicious in disposition) 1j) bad, evil, wicked (ethically) 1j1) in general, of persons, of thoughts 1j2) deeds, actions
Usage: Occurs in 623 OT verses. KJV: adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.). See also: Genesis 2:9; Judges 9:57; 2 Kings 21:6.
וַ/תּוּכָֽל yâkôl H3201 "be able" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-2ms
This Hebrew word means to be able or have power, used in various contexts, such as overcoming or enduring, and is translated as 'be able' or 'have power' in the KJV.
Definition: 1) to prevail, overcome, endure, have power, be able 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be able, be able to gain or accomplish, be able to endure, be able to reach 1a2) to prevail, prevail over or against, overcome, be victor 1a3) to have ability, have strength Aramaic equivalent: ye.khel (יְכִל "be able" H3202)
Usage: Occurs in 182 OT verses. KJV: be able, any at all (ways), attain, can (away with, (-not)), could, endure, might, overcome, have power, prevail, still, suffer. See also: Genesis 13:6; 1 Kings 14:4; Psalms 13:5.

Study Notes — Jeremiah 3:5

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Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Micah 7:3 Both hands are skilled at evil; the prince and the judge demand a bribe. When the powerful utters his evil desire, they all conspire together.
2 Isaiah 57:16 For I will not accuse you forever, nor will I always be angry; for then the spirit of man would grow weak before Me, with the breath of those I have made.
3 Ezekiel 22:6 See how every prince of Israel within you has used his power to shed blood.
4 Micah 2:1 Woe to those who devise iniquity and plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they accomplish it because the power is in their hands.
5 Jeremiah 3:12 Go, proclaim this message toward the north: ‘Return, O faithless Israel,’ declares the LORD. ‘I will no longer look on you with anger, for I am merciful,’ declares the LORD. ‘I will not be angry forever.
6 Psalms 85:5 Will You be angry with us forever? Will You draw out Your anger to all generations?
7 Psalms 103:8–9 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. He will not always accuse us, nor harbor His anger forever.
8 Zephaniah 3:1–5 Woe to the city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled! She heeded no voice; she accepted no correction. She does not trust in the LORD; she has not drawn near to her God. Her princes are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves, leaving nothing for the morning. Her prophets are reckless, faithless men. Her priests profane the sanctuary; they do violence to the law. The LORD within her is righteous; He does no wrong. He applies His justice morning by morning; He does not fail at dawn, yet the unjust know no shame.
9 Psalms 77:7–9 “Will the Lord spurn us forever and never show His favor again? Is His loving devotion gone forever? Has His promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has His anger shut off His compassion?” Selah
10 Isaiah 64:9 Do not be angry, O LORD, beyond measure; do not remember our iniquity forever. Oh, look upon us, we pray; we are all Your people!

Jeremiah 3:5 Summary

[Jeremiah 3:5 is a reminder that God is a God of justice and mercy, and His anger is not forever, as seen in Psalms 103:8-10. When we choose to disobey Him and pursue sin, it grieves His heart and leads to consequences, but He always desires for us to return to Him and experience His forgiveness and restoration, as mentioned in Jeremiah 3:12-13 and Luke 15:11-24.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the context of Jeremiah 3:5 and how does it relate to God's character?

This verse is part of a larger conversation between God and His people, where He expresses His disappointment and anger at their consistent disobedience, as seen in Jeremiah 3:3-4, and reminds them that He is a God of justice and mercy, as mentioned in Exodus 34:6-7.

Is God's anger forever, as mentioned in Jeremiah 3:5?

No, God's anger is not forever, as He is a loving and merciful God, as seen in Psalms 103:8-10, and His desire is for His people to return to Him and experience His forgiveness and restoration, as mentioned in Jeremiah 3:12-13.

What does it mean to 'keep doing all the evil you can' in Jeremiah 3:5?

This phrase suggests a deliberate and intentional choice to disobey God and pursue sin, despite knowing better, as mentioned in Romans 1:18-32, and it highlights the need for repentance and a turning back to God, as seen in Acts 3:19.

How does Jeremiah 3:5 relate to the concept of repentance and forgiveness?

This verse emphasizes the importance of repentance and turning away from sin, as God is willing to forgive and restore those who genuinely repent, as seen in Jeremiah 3:12-14 and Luke 15:11-24.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some areas in my life where I am 'keeping doing all the evil I can', and how can I turn away from those sins and towards God?
  2. How does the concept of God's anger and mercy intersect in my understanding of His character, and how can I apply that to my relationship with Him?
  3. What are some ways I can practically demonstrate my repentance and turning back to God, as mentioned in Jeremiah 3:12-13?
  4. How can I balance the reality of God's justice with the reality of His mercy and love, and what implications does that have for my life and relationships?

Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 3:5

Will he reserve his anger for ever?.... These words may be considered as a continuation of the speech put into their mouths to make to the Lord and plead with him, as well as what follows: will he keep it to the end?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 3:5

Will he reserve his anger for ever? will he keep it to the end? Behold, thou hast spoken and done evil things as thou couldest. He - `thou,' the second person had preceded,"My Father, thou," etc. (Jeremiah 3:4).

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 3:5

Will he reserve his anger for ever? here being a defect of the noun, the Jews supply it with thy sin, , but the most and best, as we do, his anger. Compare it with , in which texts there is a defect of the same word. This may seem to be the words of the prophet, and so the connexion is easy with the foregoing words: q.d. If thou wouldst do so, try me now, &c.: would he reserve his anger? would he not be reconciled? but thou hast taken quite another course. Or they may be the words of God, as it were, teaching his people how they should accost him: God is more forward and earnest for reconciliation than sinners themselves. The end; the same with the former for ever. Behold, thou hast spoken and done evil things as thou couldest: God’ s challenge of the people, charging them, either with their resolved wickedness, that they had made good all their evil words by their evil actions, they had even done as they said; or rather, with their hypocrisy: q.d. Notwithstanding all thy former promises, yet thou persistest still in thy lewdness and obstinacy, .

Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 3:5

Jeremiah 3:5 Will he reserve [his anger] for ever? will he keep [it] to the end? Behold, thou hast spoken and done evil things as thou couldest.Ver. 5. Will he reserve his anyer for ever?] Will he not? and is there not good reason he should do so, so long as you speak and do evil things as you can, obstinately persisting in thy sinful practices? He that repenteth with a contradiction, saith Tertullian, God will pardon him with a contradiction. Thou repentest, and yet continuest in thy sins. God will pardon thee, and yet send thee to hell: there is a pardon with a contradiction. As thou couldst,] i.e., To thine utmost. Nolunt solita peccare, saith Seneca of some; they strive to outsin themselves and others.

Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 3:5

(5) Will he reserve his anger for ever . . .?—The questions were such as might well be asked in the first burst of sorrowing though superficial repentance. The implied answer was in the negative, “No, He will not keep His anger to the end.” Yet, so far, facts were against that yearning hope. It will be noted that the word “anger” is not in the Hebrew. It is, however, rightly inserted, after the precedent of Nah 1:2; Psalms 103:9. The words seem, indeed, almost a quotation from the latter, and Jeremiah 3:4-5 may probably be looked on as cited from the penitential litanies in which the people had joined, and which were too soon followed by a return to the old evils (Jeremiah 2:1-13). Thou hast spoken and done evil things as thou couldest.—i.e., resolutely and obstinately. That pathetic appeal to the mercy and love of Jehovah was followed by no amendment, but by a return to evil. Here the first prophecy, as reproduced from memory, ends, and the next verse begins a separate discourse.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 3:5

Verse 5. Will he reserve his anger for ever?] Why should not wrath be continued against thee, as thou continuest transgression against the Lord?

Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 3:5

5. The continued expression of Israel’s ill-founded confidence and God’s reply. thou hast spoken, etc.] rather (as mg.) thou hast spoken thus, but hast done, etc. hast had thy way] Heb. been able, carried thy purposes into effect. For the thought of the whole verse cp. Hosea 6:1-4.

Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 3:5

Rather, “Will he, the young husband,” retain, “keep up His anger forever!” These words should be joined to Jeremiah 3:4. Behold ... - Rather, “Behold, thou hast spoken” thus, but thou hast “done evil things” persistently.

Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 3:5

5. Thou hast spoken — Thus do the people speak, but they DO evil. Their words are friendly, but their actions are rebellious.

Sermons on Jeremiah 3:5

SermonDescription
David Wilkerson Americas Last Days - Part 2 by David Wilkerson In this sermon, the preacher discusses a passage from the book of Ezekiel, specifically Ezekiel 14:14. The preacher emphasizes that the flock will lay down in the midst of desolati
Art Katz K-486 Covenant Keeping (2 of 3) by Art Katz In this sermon, the preacher discusses the resistance faced when speaking about eternity and eternal reward. He shares his personal experience of struggling to communicate this sub
J. Wesley Adcock Eternity by J. Wesley Adcock In this sermon, the preacher uses various illustrations to emphasize the brevity of life and the importance of recognizing the limited time we have on Earth. He compares life to a
Octavius Winslow The Lord's Measured Correction by Octavius Winslow Octavius Winslow emphasizes the necessity of divine correction in our spiritual journey, illustrating that trials and afflictions are essential for our sanctification and moral fit
Art Katz The Context of the Coming Kingdom by Art Katz In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of knowing God as the revelation of Jesus as king and the beauty of the kingdom. He criticizes the superficiality of worship a
David Wilkerson An Habitation of God by David Wilkerson In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes Jesus' anticipation and delight in the future. Jesus rejoices over those who forsake all others and cling only to him, seeking him daily and
Zac Poonen God Requires Honesty and Compassion - Part 2 by Zac Poonen This sermon emphasizes the importance of genuine worship and treating others with fairness and mercy. It highlights God's displeasure with insincere religious practices and the nee

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