Jeremiah 20 11

Jeremiah 20:11 kjv

But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.

Jeremiah 20:11 nkjv

But the LORD is with me as a mighty, awesome One. Therefore my persecutors will stumble, and will not prevail. They will be greatly ashamed, for they will not prosper. Their everlasting confusion will never be forgotten.

Jeremiah 20:11 niv

But the LORD is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced; their dishonor will never be forgotten.

Jeremiah 20:11 esv

But the LORD is with me as a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble; they will not overcome me. They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed. Their eternal dishonor will never be forgotten.

Jeremiah 20:11 nlt

But the LORD stands beside me like a great warrior.
Before him my persecutors will stumble.
They cannot defeat me.
They will fail and be thoroughly humiliated.
Their dishonor will never be forgotten.

Jeremiah 20 verses

Jeremiah 20 11 Meaning

Jeremiah 20:11 expresses a profound declaration of faith and trust in the LORD during a period of intense suffering and persecution for the prophet. It reveals Jeremiah's confident expectation that God, as a powerful and fearsome warrior, stands actively with him against his adversaries. Consequently, his persecutors are destined to fail, stumble, and ultimately face enduring shame and disgrace for their opposition to God's messenger and message. The verse shifts from the prophet's earlier laments to a powerful assertion of divine justice and ultimate vindication.

Jeremiah 20 11 Context

Jeremiah 20:11 stands as a powerful declaration of faith within the larger context of Jeremiah's personal "confessions" or laments to God (Jeremiah 11-20). This specific chapter describes Jeremiah's harsh treatment by Pashhur, a chief priest and temple official, who had him beaten and put in the stocks for prophesying Judah's downfall (Jer 20:1-3). After his release, Jeremiah pronounces further judgment upon Pashhur and Jerusalem (Jer 20:4-6). Overwhelmed by his suffering, ridicule, and the difficult nature of his prophetic call, Jeremiah cries out in profound anguish and even accuses God of deceiving him (Jer 20:7-10).

However, amidst this despair, verse 11 marks a dramatic shift. It is a moment of renewed conviction, an affirmation of his steadfast faith in the LORD's ultimate power and protective presence. He moves from lamentation to a declaration of God's coming vindication. Historically, Jeremiah prophesied during the turbulent final decades of the Kingdom of Judah, facing constant opposition from kings, priests, false prophets, and the people, who rejected his warnings about Babylon's impending invasion. His message of doom was profoundly unpopular, making him a deeply despised and persecuted figure. Against this backdrop of physical and emotional suffering, his trust in God as a "mighty, terrible one" is all the more poignant.

Jeremiah 20 11 Word analysis

• But: (wāw waw conjunctive) This small conjunction introduces a strong contrast or shift from the prophet's previous lament and feelings of being enticed, deceived, and overwhelmed (Jer 20:7-10). It signals a turning point from despondency to a resolute declaration of faith.
• the LORD: (YHWH יְהוָ֣ה) Refers to God's personal covenant name, often rendered as "Yahweh." This emphasizes God's personal and active involvement in Jeremiah's life and His covenant relationship with His prophet. It speaks of His unchanging nature and commitment.
• is with me: (ʾittī אִתִּ֖י) "With me" denotes presence, alliance, and active support. It implies God's personal, comforting, and strengthening presence, especially crucial during a time of intense isolation and persecution for Jeremiah.
• as a mighty, terrible one: (kəḡibôrārîṣ` כְּגִבּ֥וֹר עָרִ֖יץ) This powerful phrase uses two key Hebrew terms.
  • gibbôr: "mighty one," "hero," "warrior." It emphasizes strength, power, and ability in battle.
  • ārîṣ: "terrible," "ruthless," "tyrant," "fierce," "formidable." Here, it describes God's awesome, fear-inducing power that terrifies enemies. When applied to God, it highlights His unchallengeable authority and ferocity in defending His own. This imagery directly counters the power of human adversaries.
• Therefore: (lāḵēn לָכֵ֤ן) Connects the previous statement (God's powerful presence) with the subsequent consequence (the fate of the persecutors). It indicates a logical and certain outcome.
• my persecutors: (rōḏep̄āy רֹֽדְפַי֙) Those who "pursue," "chase," "hunt down" with hostile intent. It captures the relentless and oppressive nature of the opposition Jeremiah faced, emphasizing the physical and emotional distress they caused.
• shall stumble: (yikkāšəlû יִכָּשְׁל֣וּ) Literally, "they shall trip," "they shall fall," or "they shall totter." This indicates their inability to progress, their loss of footing, and ultimate failure in their hostile endeavors against Jeremiah.
• and not prevail: (wəlōʾ yûḵālû וְלֹ֥א יֽוּכָל֖וּ) "And not be able," "not succeed," "not overcome." This confirms their utter impotence and lack of success in defeating or silencing Jeremiah, because God is his protector.
• They shall be greatly ashamed: (yēbōšū məʾōd יֵבֹ֥שׁוּ מְאֹ֖ד)
  • yēbōšū: "They shall be ashamed," "disgraced," "confounded." It signifies public humiliation and the undoing of their proud claims.
  • məʾōd: "Greatly," "exceedingly," "very." This adverb intensifies the shame, emphasizing its overwhelming and profound nature.
• for they shall not prosper: (kî lōʾ hiśkîlû כִּי־לֹ֥א הִשְׂכִּֽילוּ)
  • kî: "For" or "because," giving the reason for their shame.
  • lōʾ hiśkîlû: "They shall not act wisely," "not succeed," or "not understand." This refers to their folly and lack of discernment in opposing a prophet empowered by the Almighty God. Their efforts will lead to naught because they did not act with divine wisdom.
• Their everlasting confusion: (kəlīmatôlām` כְּלִמַּ֥ת עוֹלָ֖ם)
  • kəlīmat: "Confusion," "disgrace," "shame," "ignominy."
  • ʿôlām: "Everlasting," "perpetual," "for all time." This refers to the enduring nature of their shame, a disgrace that will last beyond the immediate event, becoming a lasting stain on their legacy.
• will never be forgotten: (lōʾ tiššāḵēaḥ לֹ֥א תִשָּׁכֵֽחַ) Emphasizes the permanence of their disgrace. Their humiliation will be indelible, permanently etched in memory, and their failure will serve as a lasting testament to God's justice.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "But the LORD is with me as a mighty, terrible one": This segment highlights Jeremiah's radical faith shift. After experiencing immense personal anguish and feeling betrayed by God, he reaffirms God's covenant loyalty and His formidable nature. The image of the "mighty, terrible one" (God as a warrior, the Divine Champion) stands in stark contrast to Jeremiah's perceived weakness and isolation, projecting God's unstoppable power against all human opposition. This is an explicit claim of divine endorsement and protection, directly confronting any contemporary belief that Jeremiah's suffering meant God had abandoned him or was powerless.
• "Therefore my persecutors shall stumble and not prevail": This forms the direct consequence of God's active presence. Because the LORD is with Jeremiah as an unstoppable force, his enemies are utterly doomed to failure. Their attempts to hinder or harm the prophet are futile. This emphasizes the certainty of their defeat and God's absolute sovereignty over human schemes.
• "They shall be greatly ashamed, for they shall not prosper": This details the humiliating outcome for the persecutors. Their actions against Jeremiah are exposed as foolish and unwise in the sight of God and man. Their expected triumph will turn into profound embarrassment and disgrace, signifying a complete reversal of their intentions and public standing. Their lack of success is tied to their spiritual blindness in opposing God's plan.
• "Their everlasting confusion will never be forgotten": This final clause pronounces a lasting, indelible judgment upon Jeremiah's adversaries. Their disgrace will not be fleeting but eternal, a perpetual testimony to their rebellion against God and His messenger. This ultimate, unforgetable shame is the bitter end of all who oppose divine will.

Jeremiah 20 11 Bonus section

The Hebrew terms gibbôr (mighty one) and ārîṣ (terrible one) used for God in this verse are often applied to powerful human kings or warriors. By applying them to YHWH, Jeremiah elevates God far above any human potentate or persecutor, implicitly critiquing the human powers that oppress him. The phraseology echoes earlier depictions of Yahweh as a divine warrior who fought for Israel, especially in contexts of miraculous deliverance (e.g., Ex 15:3; Isa 42:13). Jeremiah's affirmation, therefore, is not merely personal but a theological declaration of Yahweh's ultimate supremacy over all earthly adversaries. His lament (Jer 20:7-10) is deeply personal, almost existential, but the turn to this powerful assertion of faith demonstrates the enduring tension and triumph within prophetic calling—acknowledging human weakness yet fully embracing divine strength. This verse can also be seen as an indirect polemic against the false prophets who promised peace and prosperity, suggesting that true prophecy (like Jeremiah's, even in its grimness) has divine backing and ultimate victory, unlike their ultimately failing messages and practices.

Jeremiah 20 11 Commentary

Jeremiah 20:11 is a pivotal verse within Jeremiah's "confessions," demonstrating a powerful turn from profound lament to resolute faith. Amidst intense persecution and feelings of abandonment, Jeremiah reasserts his conviction in the LORD's active and fearsome presence. God is depicted as a "mighty, terrible one," a divine warrior who takes the prophet's side, turning human power and schemes to naught. This is not merely a statement of hope but a prophetic declaration of certainty. The persecutors, who sought to humiliate and silence God's messenger, will themselves face inevitable defeat, overwhelming shame, and an enduring disgrace that will never be forgotten. It affirms divine justice: those who stand against God's appointed will ultimately be overthrown, their temporary advantage culminating in lasting ignominy. It serves as an encouragement for all who suffer for righteousness' sake, reminding them that God Himself is their powerful defender and avenger.

• Example for practical usage: When facing unjust criticism or opposition for upholding truth, this verse encourages reliance on God, knowing that He sees, fights, and will ultimately vindicate His faithful ones, while those who act wrongly will face the consequences.