Jeremiah 20:8

8 For each time I speak, I cry aloud; I ¹proclaim violence and destruction, Because for me the ²word of the LORD has resulted In reproach and derision all day long.

Jeremiah 20:8 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 20:8

For since I spake, I cried out
Or, "when I speak, I cry" {a}; whensoever I speak in the name of the Lord, and deliver message from him to the people, I lift up my voice and cry aloud, that all may hear and understand; and as showing zeal, fervour, and diligence: or, "I cry" with grief and trouble at the usage I meet with, and the contempt that is cast upon the word; or because of what I am obliged to declare to them, as follows. The Targum takes in both sense, of the word thus,

``for at the time that I prophesy, I lift up my voice, weeping, and crying.''

I cried violence and spoil:
or, "proclaimed" it ^F2, for a different word is here used; that is, he publicly declared the rapine and oppression they were guilty of, inveighed against it, and reproved them for it; and foretold the violence of the enemy, and the spoil that he should make of them, when he should come upon them, even the king of Babylon; as well as cried out and complained of the injurious treatment he himself met with from them; because the word of the Lord was made a reproach unto me, and a
derision daily;
which is a reason either why he cried with grief and sorrow; or why he cried violence and spoil, ruin and destruction: or, "though the word of the Lord was" ^F3, &c; yet he went on publishing and proclaiming it: or, "surely the word of the Lord was made a reproach" ^F4, &c; either because of the matter of it, it not being believed, or the manner in which it was delivered; or because it was not immediately fulfilled.

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FOOTNOTES:

F1 (qeza rbda ydm) "quum loquor exclamavi, i.e. loquor exclamans", Gataker.
F2 (arqa) "clamo", Pagninus, Junius & Tremellius; "proclamo", Piscator.
F3 (rbd hyh yk) "quamvis".
F4 "Verum, verbum Domini", so some in Vatablus; "utique", De Dieu, Gataker.

Jeremiah 20:8 In-Context

6 'And you, Pashhur, and all who live in your house will go into captivity; and you will enter Babylon, and there you will die and there you will be buried, you and all your friends to whom you have falsely prophesied.' "

7 O LORD , You have deceived me and I was deceived; You have overcome me and prevailed. I have become a laughingstock all day long; Everyone mocks me.

8 For each time I speak, I cry aloud; I proclaim violence and destruction, Because for me the word of the LORD has resulted In reproach and derision all day long.

9 But if I say, "I will not remember Him Or speak anymore in His name," Then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; And I am weary of holding it in, And I cannot endure it.

10 For I have heard the whispering of many, "Terror on every side! Denounce him; yes, let us denounce him!" All my trusted friends , Watching for my fall, say: "Perhaps he will be deceived, so that we may prevail against him And take our revenge on him."

Cross References

• 1. Jeremiah 6:7
• 2. 2 Chronicles 36:16; Jeremiah 6:10

Footnotes

• [a] Lit "become"