Jeremiah 20:11-18

11 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.
12 LORD Almighty, you who examine the righteous and probe the heart and mind, let me see your vengeance on them, for to you I have committed my cause.
13 Sing to the LORD! Give praise to the LORD! He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked.
14 Cursed be the day I was born! May the day my mother bore me not be blessed!
15 Cursed be the man who brought my father the news, who made him very glad, saying, “A child is born to you—a son!”
16 May that man be like the towns the LORD overthrew without pity. May he hear wailing in the morning, a battle cry at noon.
17 For he did not kill me in the womb, with my mother as my grave, her womb enlarged forever.
18 Why did I ever come out of the womb to see trouble and sorrow and to end my days in shame?

Jeremiah 20:11-18 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 20

This chapter gives an account of the usage that Jeremiah met with from many for his prophecies, and the effect it had upon him. He was smitten and put in the stocks by Pashur the priest, who released him the next day, Jer 20:1-3; upon which he prophesies again of the delivery of the city of Jerusalem, with all its riches, and of the whole land, to the Chaldeans; and particularly that Pashur should be a terror to himself and all his friends; and that both he and they should be carried captive into Babylon, and die, and be buried there, Jer 20:4-6; and then he complains of his being mocked at by the people for the word of the Lord; which he therefore determined to make no more mention of, but was obliged to it; and of the defamations of him, and snares that were laid for him, Jer 20:7-10; under which he is supported with the consideration of the Lord's being with him, and that his enemies should not prevail, but be confounded; and appeals to him, and calls for vengeance from him on them; and, in the view of deliverance, not only praises the Lord himself, but calls upon others to join with him in it, Jer 20:11-13; and yet, after all, the chapter is concluded with his cursing the day of his birth, and the man that brought his father the news of it, Jer 20:14-18.

Cross References 17

  • 1. Jeremiah 1:8; Romans 8:31
  • 2. Jeremiah 15:15; Jeremiah 17:18
  • 3. S Psalms 129:2; Jeremiah 15:20
  • 4. S Jeremiah 7:19; Jeremiah 23:40
  • 5. S Psalms 7:9; S Jeremiah 17:10
  • 6. Deuteronomy 32:35; S Romans 12:19; Psalms 54:7; Psalms 59:10
  • 7. Psalms 62:8; Jeremiah 11:20
  • 8. S Isaiah 12:6
  • 9. Psalms 34:6; Psalms 35:10
  • 10. S Psalms 97:10
  • 11. S Job 3:8,16; Job 3:3; Jeremiah 15:10
  • 12. S Genesis 19:25
  • 13. S Jeremiah 6:26
  • 14. S Job 3:16; S Job 10:18-19
  • 15. S Job 3:10-11; S Ecclesiastes 4:2
  • 16. S Genesis 3:17; S Job 5:7
  • 17. S 1 Kings 19:4; Psalms 90:9; Psalms 102:3
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