Jeremiah 20:17
Jeremiah 20:17 in Multiple Translations
because he did not kill me in the womb so that my mother might have been my grave, and her womb forever enlarged.
Because he slew me not from the womb; or that my mother might have been my grave, and her womb to be always great with me.
because he slew me not from the womb; and so my mother would have been my grave, and her womb always great.
Because he did not put me to death before my birth took place: so my mother's body would have been my last resting-place, and she would have been with child for ever.
because he should have killed me in the womb so that my mother would have been my grave, remaining pregnant forever.
Because he hath not slaine me, euen from the wombe, or that my mother might haue bene my graue, or her wobe a perpetual conception.
Because he hath not put me to death from the womb, And my mother is to me — my grave, And her womb a pregnancy age-during.
because he didn’t kill me from the womb. So my mother would have been my grave, and her womb always great.
Because he slew me not at my birth; or that my mother might have been my grave, and she had not been delivered.
Who slew me not from the womb, that my mother might have been my grave, and her womb an everlasting conception.
I want that to happen to him because he did not kill me before I was born. I wish that I had died in my mother’s womb, and that my mother’s body would have been like [MET] my grave.
Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 20:17
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Jeremiah 20:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
לֹא
מוֹתְתַ֖/נִי
מֵ/רָ֑חֶם
וַ/תְּהִי
לִ֤/י
אִמִּ/י֙
קִבְרִ֔/י
וְ/רַחְמָ֖/הֿ
הֲרַ֥ת
עוֹלָֽם
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
מוֹתְתַ֖/נִי
mûwth
H4191
to die
V-o-Perf-3ms | Suff
מֵ/רָ֑חֶם
rechem
H7358
womb
Prep | N-ms
וַ/תְּהִי
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
לִ֤/י
Prep | Suff
אִמִּ/י֙
ʼêm
H517
mother
N-fs | Suff
קִבְרִ֔/י
qeber
H6913
grave
N-ms | Suff
וְ/רַחְמָ֖/הֿ
rechem
H7358
womb
Conj | N-ms | Suff
הֲרַ֥ת
hâreh
H2030
pregnant
Adj
עוֹלָֽם
ʻôwlâm
H5769
forever
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 20:17
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
מוֹתְתַ֖/נִי
mûwth
H4191
"to die"
V-o-Perf-3ms | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to die, either literally or as a punishment, and is used in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to perish or be killed. This concept is seen in the story of Adam and Eve, where death enters the world as a result of sin.
Definition: 1) to die, kill, have one executed 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to die 1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death 1a3) to die, perish (of a nation) 1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct) 1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch 1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be killed, be put to death 1d1a) to die prematurely
Usage: Occurs in 695 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise. See also: Genesis 2:17; Exodus 21:18; Numbers 35:21.
מֵ/רָ֑חֶם
rechem
H7358
"womb"
Prep | N-ms
This Hebrew word means womb, referring to the place where a fetus grows. It is translated as matrix or womb in the KJV, symbolizing birth and new life. It is a significant concept in biblical culture.
Definition: 1) womb 1a) womb 1b) womb-man, woman-slave, woman, two women
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: matrix, womb. See also: Genesis 20:18; 1 Samuel 1:6; Psalms 22:11.
וַ/תְּהִי
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
לִ֤/י
""
Prep | Suff
אִמִּ/י֙
ʼêm
H517
"mother"
N-fs | Suff
The Hebrew word for 'mother' is used in the Bible to describe a female parent or a maternal figure. It can also refer to the source or origin of something, such as a river or a family. In some cases, it is used figuratively to describe a person's relationship to others.
Definition: 1) mother 1a) of humans 1b) of Deborah's relationship to the people (fig.) 1c) of animals 2) point of departure or division
Usage: Occurs in 202 OT verses. KJV: dam, mother, [idiom] parting. See also: Genesis 2:24; 2 Kings 4:19; Psalms 22:10.
קִבְרִ֔/י
qeber
H6913
"grave"
N-ms | Suff
A grave or sepulchre is a place where the dead are buried, often a tomb or burial site. This word is used in the Bible to describe the final resting place of individuals, and is translated as burying place or sepulchre in the KJV.
Definition: grave, sepulchre, tomb
Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: burying place, grave, sepulchre. See also: Genesis 23:4; 2 Chronicles 32:33; Psalms 5:10.
וְ/רַחְמָ֖/הֿ
rechem
H7358
"womb"
Conj | N-ms | Suff
This Hebrew word means womb, referring to the place where a fetus grows. It is translated as matrix or womb in the KJV, symbolizing birth and new life. It is a significant concept in biblical culture.
Definition: 1) womb 1a) womb 1b) womb-man, woman-slave, woman, two women
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: matrix, womb. See also: Genesis 20:18; 1 Samuel 1:6; Psalms 22:11.
הֲרַ֥ת
hâreh
H2030
"pregnant"
Adj
This Hebrew word means to be pregnant, as seen in Genesis when women like Sarah and Rachel conceive. It describes a woman with child, emphasizing the miracle of new life. The KJV Bible translates it as 'with child' or 'conceive'.
Definition: pregnant Also means: ha.riy.yah (הָרִיָּה "pregnant" H2030B)
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: (be, woman) with child, conceive, [idiom] great. See also: Genesis 16:11; 2 Kings 8:12; Isaiah 7:14.
עוֹלָֽם
ʻôwlâm
H5769
"forever"
N-ms
This word means forever or always, describing something that lasts an eternity. It is used in the Bible to describe God's eternal nature and his lasting promises.
Definition: : old/ancient 1) long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world 1a) ancient time, long time (of past) 1b) (of future) 1b1) for ever, always 1b2) continuous existence, perpetual 1b3) everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity
Usage: Occurs in 413 OT verses. KJV: alway(-s), ancient (time), any more, continuance, eternal, (for, (n-)) ever(-lasting, -more, of old), lasting, long (time), (of) old (time), perpetual, at any time, (beginning of the) world ([phrase] without end). Compare H5331 (נֶצַח), H5703 (עַד). See also: Genesis 3:22; 1 Kings 8:13; Psalms 5:12.
Study Notes — Jeremiah 20:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Jeremiah 20:17 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 20:17
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 20:17
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 20:17
- Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 20:17
- Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 20:17
- Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 20:17
- Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 20:17
- Sermons on Jeremiah 20:17
Context — Jeremiah’s Complaint
15Cursed be the man who brought my father the news, saying, “A son is born to you,” bringing him great joy.
16May that man be like the cities that the LORD overthrew without compassion. May he hear an outcry in the morning and a battle cry at noon,
17because he did not kill me in the womb so that my mother might have been my grave, and her womb forever enlarged.
18Why did I come out of the womb to see only trouble and sorrow, and to end my days in shame?Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 10:18–19 | Why then did You bring me from the womb? Oh, that I had died, and no eye had seen me! If only I had never come to be, but had been carried from the womb to the grave. |
| 2 | Job 3:10–11 | For that night did not shut the doors of the womb to hide the sorrow from my eyes. Why did I not perish at birth; why did I not die as I came from the womb? |
| 3 | Ecclesiastes 6:3 | A man may father a hundred children and live for many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he is unsatisfied with his prosperity and does not even receive a proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. |
| 4 | Job 3:16 | Or why was I not hidden like a stillborn child, like an infant who never sees daylight? |
Jeremiah 20:17 Summary
Jeremiah 20:17 is a verse where the prophet Jeremiah expresses his deep sadness and frustration with the troubles he's facing, wishing he had never been born. He's not being rebellious, but rather honest about his emotions, like many other characters in the Bible, such as in Psalms 22:1-2. This verse reminds us that our lives are precious, even from the womb, as seen in Psalm 139:13-16. It also teaches us that it's okay to be honest with God about our feelings, even if they're painful, and to trust in His love and care for us, as seen in Romans 8:28 and Jeremiah 29:11.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Jeremiah mean when he says he wishes he had been killed in the womb?
Jeremiah is expressing his deep sorrow and frustration with the troubles he faces as a prophet, wishing he had never been born, as seen in Jeremiah 20:17, similar to the feelings expressed by Job in Job 3:11 and Job 10:18-19
Is Jeremiah being rebellious or sinful in his wish to have been killed in the womb?
While Jeremiah's words may seem extreme, they are a genuine expression of his emotional pain, and the Bible often records the honest emotions and struggles of its characters, such as in Psalms 22:1-2 and Psalms 38:1-8
How does this verse relate to the value of human life?
This verse highlights the preciousness of human life, even in the womb, as seen in Psalm 139:13-16, and Jeremiah's wish to have been killed in the womb is not a statement on the value of life, but rather a cry of despair in the midst of suffering
What can we learn from Jeremiah's emotional honesty?
Jeremiah's honesty about his emotions teaches us that it's okay to express our feelings to God, even if they are painful or difficult, as seen in the Psalms and other biblical accounts of prayer, such as in Hebrews 4:15-16
Reflection Questions
- What are some times in your life when you felt like Jeremiah, wishing you could escape your troubles?
- How do you think Jeremiah's relationship with God helped him navigate his emotions and struggles?
- What does this verse teach us about the importance of emotional honesty in our relationship with God?
- How can we balance our desire for comfort and escape with the reality of our circumstances, like Jeremiah did?
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 20:17
Because he slew me not from the womb,.... As soon as he came out of it; that is, as soon as he was born; either because God slew him not so soon, as Kimchi; or the angel of death, as Jarchi: or
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 20:17
Cursed be the day wherein I was born: let not the day wherein my mother bare me be blessed.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 20:17
These various expressions do only let us see to what a tide passion swelled in this good man’ s heart, and teach us how much need we have to pray to be delivered from our own passions. Jeremiah’ s leaving these things recorded by himself, is one instance of what is brought as a rational argument to prove that only men wrote the Scriptures by inspiration from God, they would never else have recorded their own gross failings, men commonly writing for their own honour, not to their own defamation.
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 20:17
Jeremiah 20:17 Because he slew me not from the womb; or that my mother might have been my grave, and her womb [to be] always great [with me].Ver. 17. Because he slew me not, &c.] Why, but is not life a mercy? A living dog better than a dead lion. See on Job 3:10; Job 10:18-19.
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 20:17
(17) Because he slew me not . . .—The wish that he had never been born is uttered by the prophet in strange, bold language. It would have been better that the messenger that told that he was born had slain him before his birth, that his mother’s womb had been his grave, that she had never had strength to bring him forth. Thought, structure, even grammar are, in their abruptness and irregularities, alike significant of intense emotion.
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 20:17
17. from] better (with LXX), as shewn by the context, in. The consonants which represent the two prepositions were written similarly in Hebrew MSS.
Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 20:17
14-18. Cursed be the day, etc. — Violent and unexpected is the contrast of this passage with the preceding.
Sermons on Jeremiah 20:17
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Burning Bush by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of preserving a pure testimony for God, focusing on the need to die to self, let go of personal opinions, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. |