Jeremiah 20 16

Jeremiah 20:16 kjv

And let that man be as the cities which the LORD overthrew, and repented not: and let him hear the cry in the morning, and the shouting at noontide;

Jeremiah 20:16 nkjv

And let that man be like the cities Which the LORD overthrew, and did not relent; Let him hear the cry in the morning And the shouting at noon,

Jeremiah 20:16 niv

May that man be like the towns the LORD overthrew without pity. May he hear wailing in the morning, a battle cry at noon.

Jeremiah 20:16 esv

Let that man be like the cities that the LORD overthrew without pity; let him hear a cry in the morning and an alarm at noon,

Jeremiah 20:16 nlt

Let him be destroyed like the cities of old
that the LORD overthrew without mercy.
Terrify him all day long with battle shouts,

Jeremiah 20 verses

Jeremiah 20 16 Meaning

This verse expresses a profound lament and despair over a specific event. It conveys a sense of being overwhelmed by a bitter experience, likening the utterance of ill words to a consequence that cannot be undone.

Jeremiah 20 16 Context

Jeremiah 20 is a deeply personal chapter where the prophet grapples with the emotional and spiritual toll of his prophetic calling. In the preceding verses, Jeremiah is imprisoned and beaten by Pashhur, the priest, for prophesying the destruction of Jerusalem. Upon his release, Jeremiah confronts Pashhur with a prophecy of his severe judgment, including exile and death. This verse, verse 16, expresses Jeremiah's extreme anguish and a desperate wish for the non-existence of the day he was born, stemming from the severe suffering and rejection he experienced. It highlights the immense burden of prophecy and the personal cost involved.

Jeremiah 20 16 Word Analysis

• וְהָיָה (wə·hâ·yâh): "And it shall be." Connects this pronouncement to the previous judgment on Pashhur, indicating a future consequence.

• הַיּוֹם (hay·yōm): "the day." Specifically, the day of Jeremiah's birth.

• כַּשָּׂדֶה (ka·śâ·ḏeh): "like a desolate field," or "a wasteland." Implies utter emptiness, ruin, and abandonment.

• וּבְלִי (ū·ḇə·lî): "and without." Emphasizes the complete absence of any positive elements.

• יוֹשְׁבִים (yō·wə·šîḇîm): "inhabitants." The lack of human presence, signifying total desolation.

• בָּוּ (bā·ḇû): A root meaning "to be in ruins," "to be laid waste." Reinforces the idea of utter destruction.

• נָסִים (nā·śîm): "fleeing," or "driven out." Suggests violent displacement and expulsion, not just a passive absence.

• גּוּר (gūr): Related to "sojourning," "dwelling," but in this context, often carries the sense of a temporary or fugitive dwelling, or perhaps more strongly here, being sought out or hunted.

• צִדּוּ (ṣi·ḏû): "hunting" or "tracking." Active pursuit leading to destruction or capture.

• אֹתָם (’ō·ṯām): "them." Refers back to the desire for ruin upon the land and its occupants.

• וְגַם (wə·ḡam): "and also." Adds further emphasis to the encompassing nature of the destruction.

• אֶת (’eṯ): "those who."

• יִצְרִי (yiṣ·rî): "my enemies," or more literally, "those who pursue me," linking directly to Jeremiah's own experience.

• הַחוֹלְלָה (ha·ḥō·lə·lāh): "that groans" or "that brings forth." In context, related to childbirth or bringing forth trouble.

• נַפְשִׁי (nap̄·šî): "my soul," or "my inner being." This highlights the personal agony Jeremiah is experiencing.

• לֹא (lō): "not."

• אֶזְכְּרֶנּוּ (’ez·kə·rən·nû): "I will remember Him." Refers to God.

• וְלֹא (wə·lō): "nor."

• אוֹסִיף (’ō·sîp̄): "add," or "continue."

• דַּבֵּר (ḏab·bēr): "speak."

• עוֹד (’ō·wōḏ): "anymore."

• בְּשֵׁם (bə·šēm): "in the name of."

• יְהוָה (Yah·wāh): "the LORD."

• וַיְהִי (way·hî): "But it was," or "and it happened." A turn from his intention.

• בְּלִבִּי (bə·li·ḇî): "in my heart."

• כְּאֵשׁ (kə·’ē·š): "like a fire."

• בֹּעֶרֶת (bō·‘ə·reṯ): "burning," "raging."

• עָצֻרָה (‘ā·ṣū·râ): "shut up," "confined," "bottled up."

• בְּעַצְמוֹתָי (bə·‘aṣ·mō·ṯāy): "in my bones." Deep, inescapable internal pressure.

• וָאַל (wā·’al): "and I was weary."

• נִלְאָה (nil·’āh): "weary," "tired."

• לְהַחֲזִיק (lə·ḥa·ḥă·zîq): "to hold back," "to restrain."

• וְלֹא (wə·lō): "and I could not." Complete inability to suppress the message.

• Group 1: Curse on the Day of Birth: The phrase "that day be a scorched land, and without inhabitants" (וְהָיָה הַיּוֹם כַּשָּׂדֶה וּבְלִי יוֹשְׁבִים) is a powerful imprecation against the very beginning of his life. It's an extreme expression of sorrow and regret.

• Group 2: Pursuit of Ruin: "Let it be desolate, and let its successors be driven out" (יְהִי בּוּ וּבְלִי יוֹשְׁבִים) and the following line "It will pursue and hunt down destruction, seeking them, and also them that are in want, that do not stay, and find them" (צִדּוּ אֹתָם וְגַם אֶת יִצְרִי הַחוֹלְלָה) speak of an active, inevitable force of ruin, encompassing both the place and perhaps those who cause the suffering.

• Group 3: Internal Struggle and Compulsion: The verses "Then I said, 'I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name.'" (נַפְשִׁי לֹא אֶזְכְּרֶנּוּ וְלֹא אוֹסִיף דַּבֵּר עוֹד בְּשֵׁם יְהוָה) express a resolve to cease prophetic activity due to the overwhelming pain and rejection. However, this is immediately contradicted by "But there was in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones; and I was weary with holding it in, and I could not" (וַיְהִי בְלִבִּי כְּאֵשׁ בֹּעֶרֶת עָצֻרָה בְּעַצְמוֹתַי וָאַל נִלְאָה לְהַחֲזִיק וְלֹא). This internal conflict captures the prophet's involuntary obedience to God's message, even against his own will and comfort.

Jeremiah 20 16 Bonus Section

This passage echoes the sentiments of Job (Job 3:3), who also cursed the day he was born due to his suffering. However, Jeremiah's curse is rooted not in personal affliction alone, but in the profound spiritual burden and rejection he faces as God's messenger. The compulsion to speak the word of God, described as a burning fire, is a recurring theme for prophets (cf. Amos 3:8; Acts 4:20) and demonstrates a divinely-imparted message that cannot be silenced, even when it brings immense personal tribulation. The anguish here isn't a sign of unfaithfulness, but the natural human response to intense spiritual pressure and societal opposition, which Jeremiah ultimately surrenders to God's persistent call.

Jeremiah 20 16 Commentary

Jeremiah's cry in this verse is an extreme manifestation of suffering. Having been physically assaulted and imprisoned for delivering God's word, and witnessing the continued rebellion of his people, he experiences a deep despair so profound that he wishes for his own non-existence. This is not a denial of God, but a visceral reaction to the pain of obedience. The image of "fire shut up in my bones" illustrates the irresistible nature of God's message that compelled him to speak, overriding his personal desire for relief. It speaks to the heavy burden and internal conflict that prophetic ministry can entail, highlighting the obedience that costs dearly.

• This reflects the deep personal cost of obeying God when that obedience leads to suffering and rejection.
• The verse emphasizes that true prophecy often involves internal wrestling and a supernatural compulsion that transcends personal feelings.