“Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood.”
My Notes
What Does Jeremiah 48:10 Mean?
This verse pronounces a double curse: cursed is the one who does God's work deceitfully (or negligently), and cursed is the one who holds back the sword from blood. In context, this refers to the nations God has commissioned to execute judgment on Moab—they must carry out the judgment thoroughly and honestly, without laziness or half-measures.
The word translated "deceitfully" (remiyyah) can also mean "negligently" or "slackly"—doing the work carelessly, without full commitment. God's work—even the difficult, unpleasant work of judgment—demands excellence and sincerity. Doing God's work with less than full effort is a cursed condition.
The second curse—withholding the sword from blood—is about incomplete execution of what God commanded. When God commissions an act of judgment, failing to complete it isn't mercy. It's disobedience. This is difficult theology, but the principle extends beyond military contexts: when God assigns a task, completing it fully matters. Half-obedience is a form of disobedience.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Are you doing any of God's work negligently—going through the motions without full engagement?
- 2.What assignment from God have you been giving your leftovers instead of your best?
- 3.What's the difference between perfectionism and wholeheartedness? Which does God actually require?
- 4.Is there something God asked you to complete that you've left half-done? What would full obedience look like?
Devotional
Cursed is the person who does the LORD's work negligently. Cursed is the one who holds back when God says go. Two curses, one principle: whatever God assigns you, do it fully. No half-measures. No cutting corners. No doing the minimum and calling it done.
The original context is military—God commissioned nations to judge Moab, and He didn't want them slacking. But the principle reaches far beyond battle. Whatever work God has given you—your calling, your ministry, your daily responsibilities, the specific assignment He's placed on your life—doing it negligently puts you under a curse. Not because God is harsh, but because the work matters. It matters to Him, and treating it casually is a form of contempt.
The word "deceitfully" in KJV captures another dimension: doing God's work with hidden motives, pretending to serve while actually serving yourself. Showing up for the ministry but phoning it in. Accepting the assignment but giving it your leftovers. Calling yourself committed while giving half your heart.
This verse is a call to wholehearted engagement with whatever God has put in front of you. Not perfection—wholehearted-ness. The opposite of negligence isn't flawlessness. It's showing up with your full self, giving your full effort, and completing what was started. God's work deserves your best. Not because your best earns His love—but because His assignment deserves more than your casual, distracted, going-through-the-motions leftovers.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully,.... Which is said with respect to the Chaldeans, who were…
We may observe in these verses,
I. The author of Moab's destruction; it is the Lord of hosts, that has armies, all…
negligently lit. with slackness, better than mg. deceitfully.
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture