ירמיהו, פרק י״ח, פסוק כ״ג

Facing mortal danger from enemies plotting his assassination, Jeremiah turns to God with a piercing and severe prayer. He recognizes that his adversaries are not merely trying to thwart his mission, but are actively conspiring to kill him [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Driven by this immediate threat, the prophet begs for a swift and devastating divine response before their malicious plans can be carried out [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Jeremiah specifically asks that God neither forgive their iniquity nor erase their sins. This is a profound plea that God reject any confession they might offer and withhold all forgiveness prior to their punishment. Furthermore, he asks that even after they are punished, their transgressions should remain permanently recorded as an eternal memory [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם]. The severity of this request is absolute, extending even to sins they committed unintentionally [מלבי ם באור המילות].

The prophet then asks that his enemies be made to stumble. Commentators offer varying perspectives on the nature of this downfall. One approach suggests a spiritual stumbling, where even their attempts to perform good deeds will be flawed and unsuccessful [מצודת דוד]. A striking example is the plea that God cause them to give charity to unworthy recipients, thereby depriving them of any spiritual reward. Because the act of giving charity has the power to transform strict judgment into mercy, Jeremiah fears that a successful act of charity would soften and cancel the severe decree he has invoked against them [חומת אנך]. Another perspective views this downfall as active divine intervention. Rather than a natural consequence resulting from God simply hiding His face, Jeremiah asks for direct and active providence to trip them on their path [מלבי״ם].

Finally, Jeremiah demands that this retribution take place during a time of great divine anger, ensuring the punishment is severe and absolute [מצודת דוד, רד״ק]. He seeks a retribution rooted entirely in strict judgment and wrath, rather than a corrective punishment born of mercy intended to cleanse them of their sins [מלבי״ם]. This request carries further implications regarding how the punishment should be delivered. While God typically acts with mercy by first targeting a person's property before striking their physical being, Jeremiah asks Him to bypass this merciful progression and strike their bodies immediately [חומת אנך]. Additionally, during times of divine wrath, God exacts punishment even for the neglect of positive commandments, a severity the prophet specifically calls upon to ensure his enemies face the full weight of justice [חומת אנך].