Jeremiah 20:10 kjv
For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.
Jeremiah 20:10 nkjv
For I heard many mocking: "Fear on every side!" "Report," they say, "and we will report it!" All my acquaintances watched for my stumbling, saying, "Perhaps he can be induced; Then we will prevail against him, And we will take our revenge on him."
Jeremiah 20:10 niv
I hear many whispering, "Terror on every side! Denounce him! Let's denounce him!" All my friends are waiting for me to slip, saying, "Perhaps he will be deceived; then we will prevail over him and take our revenge on him."
Jeremiah 20:10 esv
For I hear many whispering. Terror is on every side! "Denounce him! Let us denounce him!" say all my close friends, watching for my fall. "Perhaps he will be deceived; then we can overcome him and take our revenge on him."
Jeremiah 20:10 nlt
I have heard the many rumors about me.
They call me "The Man Who Lives in Terror."
They threaten, "If you say anything, we will report it."
Even my old friends are watching me,
waiting for a fatal slip.
"He will trap himself," they say,
"and then we will get our revenge on him."
Jeremiah 20 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 20:10 | For I heard the whispering of many: "Terror on every side! Denounce him! Let us denounce him!" All my closest friends are watchful for my stumble, saying, "Perhaps he can be induced, and we shall prevail against him and take our vengeance on him." | God's protection against enemies (Psalms 56:2), Treachery of friends (Psalms 41:9), Reliance on God for deliverance (Psalms 22:8) |
| Psalms 31:13 | For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side; they conspire together against me, they scheme to take my life. | Echoes the theme of slander and conspiracy (Jeremiah 20:10) |
| Psalms 55:12-14 | If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if one who hated me were rising against me, I would hide from him. But it is you, a man my equal, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God. | Highlights the pain of betrayal by close friends, mirroring Jeremiah's experience (Jeremiah 20:10) |
| Jeremiah 18:18 | Then they said, “Come, let us devise plans against Jeremiah. For the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, let us strike him with the tongue, and let us not give attention to any of his words.” | Demonstrates a similar conspiracy and opposition to Jeremiah by religious leaders. |
| Jeremiah 1:19 | They will fight against you, but will not overcome you, for I am with you,” declares the Lord. | God's assurance of protection despite opposition, a constant theme for Jeremiah. |
| Jeremiah 15:10 | Woe is me, my mother, that you have borne me, a man of strife and contention to all the land! I have neither lent nor borrowed, yet everyone curses me. | Jeremiah's personal lament about the contention his message brought. |
| Acts 4:17 | But so that it may not spread further among the people, let us warn them strongly never to speak in this name to anyone again." | Opposition from religious authorities to the Gospel message, similar to opposition against prophets. |
| Matthew 10:16 | “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. | Jesus' warning to His disciples about the dangers and opposition they would face, comparable to Jeremiah's. |
| John 15:18-19 | "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." | Explains the principle of the world's hatred towards those chosen by God. |
| Galatians 1:10 | For am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. | Paul's reflection on his commitment to God over human approval, relevant to Jeremiah's situation. |
| 2 Timothy 3:12 | Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. | A general statement on persecution faced by believers throughout history. |
| Romans 12:14 | Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. | A New Testament directive for dealing with persecution. |
| Psalms 38:19-20 | But my enemies are vigorous and strong, and many have falsely accused me. Those who repay evil for good are my enemies because I pursue good. | A similar experience of being opposed by those who receive no evil. |
| Psalms 59:3 | For behold, they lie in wait for my life; the mighty are gathered against me, not for my transgression nor for my sin, O Lord. | Another parallel to enemies plotting without valid reason. |
| Jeremiah 20:3 | For you persuaded me, O Lord, and I was persuaded; you have been too strong for me. And I was put to shame; they all laugh at me. | Jeremiah's earlier lament about being persuaded and mocked. |
| 2 Corinthians 11:26 | On frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers. | Paul's enumeration of dangers faced, including from "false brothers." |
| Proverbs 25:9 | Present your case against your neighbor, and do not reveal another’s secret. | The negative aspect of gossip and betrayal, contrasting with what Jeremiah is experiencing. |
| Matthew 26:4-5 | then they held a council to seize Jesus secretly and kill him. They said, “Not during the feast, lest there be a uproar among the people.” | Conspiracy and plotting to harm religious figures. |
| John 7:1 | After these things Jesus walked in Galilee. For he did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews were looking for an opportunity to kill him. | Similar desire of authorities to kill Jesus due to his teachings. |
| Acts 17:5 | But the Jews became jealous and took some wicked men from the marketplace, and forming a mob, they set the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring Paul and Silas out to the crowd. | mob mentality and attempts to harm ministers of God. |
Jeremiah 20 verses
Jeremiah 20 10 Meaning
Jeremiah 20:10 declares that the prophet Jeremiah was aware of widespread slander and conspiracies against him. People were actively plotting to denounce him, likely to get him into trouble. He recognizes this malicious intent and expresses his reliance on God for deliverance from these adversaries.
Jeremiah 20 10 Context
Jeremiah 20:10 falls within a broader section of Jeremiah’s prophecy (chapters 19-20) where the prophet experiences intense persecution and lament. Chapter 19 described Jeremiah’s symbolic act at the Valley of Hinnom, shattering a potter's flask to represent God’s impending judgment on Jerusalem. This act angered the priests and prophets, especially Pashhur son of Immer, the chief official in the temple. Pashhur had Jeremiah flogged and placed him in stocks. Chapter 20 opens with Jeremiah’s recounting of this mistreatment and his subsequent confrontation with God. The verse in question is part of Jeremiah's reaction to this intensified opposition and the knowledge that his persecutors are not just acting impulsively but are actively plotting against him. He understands the deeply personal nature of their malice, stemming from their rejection of his prophetic message of impending doom for Jerusalem.
Jeremiah 20 10 Word Analysis
"For": (Hebrew: כִּי ki) Introduces the reason or explanation for Jeremiah's feelings or statements. It links this verse to the previous events of his persecution and his response to God.
"I heard": (Hebrew: שָׁמַעְתִּי shama‘ti) Implies that Jeremiah is privy to secret conversations. It emphasizes his awareness of the enemy's plots, which adds to his distress.
"the whispering": (Hebrew: לַחַשׁ laḥash) Refers to secret speech, murmuring, or conspiracy. This word carries a sense of stealth and malice, indicating hidden plots against him. It is also used for charms or incantations, but here it signifies covert evil speech.
"of many": (Hebrew: רַבִּים rabbim) Denotes a significant number of people, not just a few isolated individuals. This suggests widespread opposition.
"Terror on every side!": (Hebrew: מָגוֹר מִסָּבִיב māgōr misāvīv) A powerful idiom expressing intense fear and omnipresent danger. The phrase signifies that the threat feels all-encompassing.
"Denounce him!": (Hebrew: נוּדוּ נוֹדוּ nūdū nūdū) A repetition emphasizing a fervent and urgent plea to condemn or betray Jeremiah. It implies a desire for his public shaming and downfall. The root "nad" (נד) can also mean to wander, but in the context of condemnation, it means to cry out against.
"Let us denounce him": (Hebrew: נָנוּדָה נְוַסְרֶנּוּ nanūdah nivasrenu) A collective and determined resolve to bring about his ruin. The phrasing "let us" suggests a shared initiative and agreement. The term "ivasrenu" is a denominative verb derived from "eser," meaning bond or fetter, implying they wish to capture and hold him.
"All my closest friends": (Hebrew: כָּל־יְדִידִי kol-yədidī) Literally "all my familiar ones" or "my confidants." This highlights the most painful aspect: the betrayal comes from those he trusted most deeply, his intimate companions. This word is often used to describe beloved friends or favorites.
"are watchful for my stumble": (Hebrew: שֹׁמְרִים לְמִעִידִי shomərīm ləmi‘idī) Implies they are waiting and looking for any mistake or misstep, any occasion to cause him to fall. The verb "shamar" (שמר) means to guard or watch, here used malevolently. "Mi‘idī" refers to my stumbling, my falling, or my sin.
"saying": (Hebrew: לֵאמֹר le’mōr) Introduces their explicit plotting and dialogue.
"Perhaps he can be induced": (Hebrew: אLuckily perhaps he will be persuaded, tricked, or seduced to sin) "Possibly he might be lured." (Hebrew: אולי יפתָה אֹתָנוּ ula’i yiptaḥ otanu) The phrasing suggests a desire to find fault or tempt Jeremiah into error, so they can then justify their actions against him. The verb "patah" (פתה) can mean to entice, persuade, or seduce.
"and we shall prevail against him": (Hebrew: וְנוּכַל לוֹ vənūḵal lō) Means "and we will be able to overcome him" or "we will conquer him." This expresses their ambition to gain victory over him. The verb "yakal" (יכל) signifies capability and strength.
"and take our vengeance on him": (Hebrew: וְנִקְמָה־נְפָשִׁיבֶנּוּ vənīq’mah-nəfashiven’nu) Means "and we will take our revenge on him" or "we will wreak our vengeance." This reveals the underlying motive of personal retribution. The noun "niqamah" (נקמה) signifies vengeance or revenge. The latter part "nefasiven’nu" is less common and difficult to precisely define, but within context, it clearly implies executing their vengeance upon him.
Groups of words: The phrases "Terror on every side! Denounce him!" reflect the atmosphere of fear and the immediate desire to betray Jeremiah. The statement "All my closest friends are watchful for my stumble, saying, 'Perhaps he can be induced, and we shall prevail against him and take our vengeance on him.'" elaborates on the nature of the conspiracy, highlighting the perversion of friendship into active surveillance and malicious planning for his downfall and personal retribution.
Jeremiah 20 10 Bonus Section
The emotional weight of Jeremiah’s situation is profound. He’s not just a prophet announcing doom; he’s a man feeling the sting of betrayal from his inner circle. This level of personal attack, amplified by the pervasive atmosphere of fear and conspiracy, could easily lead to despair. However, by stating "For I heard," Jeremiah shows his vulnerability and his direct perception of the enemy's strategy. His response, turning to God and aware of their schemes, positions him not as a passive victim but as one who entrusts his vindication to the Almighty. This verse serves as a testament to the isolation often experienced by faithful servants of God who stand against popular opinion.
Jeremiah 20 10 Commentary
Jeremiah 20:10 captures the bitter reality of prophetic ministry. Jeremiah not only faces opposition from enemies and authorities but also from those closest to him, who are actively seeking to trap him through slander and manipulation. The verse reveals the pervasive hostility and the deeply personal betrayal that Jeremiah endured. Despite this onslaught, Jeremiah’s awareness of the plots and his immediate reaction to God indicate a turning point from complaint (in previous verses) to an active trust in divine intervention. The enemies' desire to "induce" him to sin shows their aim is to legitimize their persecution by finding him guilty of some offense. The verse underscores the difficult spiritual warfare inherent in standing for God’s truth against prevailing cultural or political currents.