Jeremiah 8:18
Jeremiah 8:18 in Multiple Translations
My sorrow is beyond healing; my heart is faint within me.
¶ When I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me.
Oh that I could comfort myself against sorrow! my heart is faint within me.
Sorrow has come on me! my heart in me is feeble.
Nothing comforts me in my suffering; I feel terrible inside.
I would haue comforted my selfe against sorowe, but mine heart is heauie in me.
My refreshing for me [is] sorrow, For me my heart [is] sick.
Oh that I could comfort myself against sorrow! My heart is faint within me.
When I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me.
My sorrow is above sorrow, my heart mourneth within me.
I grieve very much for the people of Judah, and my grieving does not end. I am very sad [IDM].
Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 8:18
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 8:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
מַבְלִ֥יגִיתִ֖/י
עֲלֵ֣י
יָג֑וֹן
עָלַ֖/י
לִבִּ֥/י
דַוָּֽי
מַבְלִ֥יגִיתִ֖/י
mablîygîyth
H4010
cheer
N-fs | Suff
עֲלֵ֣י
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
יָג֑וֹן
yâgôwn
H3015
sorrow
N-ms
עָלַ֖/י
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Suff
לִבִּ֥/י
lêb
H3820
heart
N-ms | Suff
דַוָּֽי
davvây
H1742
faint
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 8:18
מַבְלִ֥יגִיתִ֖/י
mablîygîyth
H4010
"cheer"
N-fs | Suff
This Hebrew word means to bring comfort or cheer to someone, like a brightening of their mood. It is used to describe a sense of happiness or joy. In the Bible, it appears in contexts where people find comfort in God.
Definition: smiling, cheerfulness, source of cheerfulness or brightening
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: comfort self. See also: Jeremiah 8:18.
עֲלֵ֣י
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
יָג֑וֹן
yâgôwn
H3015
"sorrow"
N-ms
Yagon refers to a state of sorrow or grief, like the anguish felt after a loss, and is used in the Bible to describe emotional pain.
Definition: grief, sorrow, anguish
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: grief, sorrow. See also: Genesis 42:38; Isaiah 35:10; Psalms 13:3.
עָלַ֖/י
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
לִבִּ֥/י
lêb
H3820
"heart"
N-ms | Suff
Leb refers to the heart, but also represents feelings, will, and intellect in the Bible. It is used figuratively to describe the center of something, and is often translated as heart or mind. Leb is a complex concept that encompasses emotions and thoughts.
Definition: 1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding 1a) inner part, midst 1a1) midst (of things) 1a2) heart (of man) 1a3) soul, heart (of man) 1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory 1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will) 1a6) conscience 1a7) heart (of moral character) 1a8) as seat of appetites 1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage
Usage: Occurs in 552 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom] themselves, [idiom] unawares, understanding, [idiom] well, willingly, wisdom. See also: Genesis 6:5; 2 Samuel 13:33; Psalms 4:8.
דַוָּֽי
davvây
H1742
"faint"
Adj
Being faint or troubled is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can describe someone who is weak in heart or spirit. It appears in the Bible to describe emotional or spiritual weakness. The KJV translates it as faint.
Definition: faint (of heart)
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: faint. See also: Isaiah 1:5; Jeremiah 8:18; Lamentations 1:22.
Study Notes — Jeremiah 8:18
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Jeremiah 8:18 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 8:18
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 8:18
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 8:18
- Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 8:18
- Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 8:18
- Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 8:18
- Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 8:18
- Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 8:18
- Sermons on Jeremiah 8:18
Context — Jeremiah Weeps for His People
16The snorting of enemy horses is heard from Dan. At the sound of the neighing of mighty steeds, the whole land quakes. They come to devour the land and everything in it, the city and all who dwell in it.
17“For behold, I will send snakes among you, vipers that cannot be charmed, and they will bite you,” declares the LORD.
18My sorrow is beyond healing; my heart is faint within me.
19Listen to the cry of the daughter of my people from a land far away: “Is the LORD no longer in Zion? Is her King no longer there?” “Why have they provoked Me to anger with their carved images, with their worthless foreign idols?” 20“The harvest has passed, the summer has ended, but we have not been saved.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamentations 1:16–17 | For these things I weep; my eyes flow with tears. For there is no one nearby to comfort me, no one to revive my soul. My children are destitute because the enemy has prevailed. Zion stretches out her hands, but there is no one to comfort her. The LORD has decreed against Jacob that his neighbors become his foes. Jerusalem has become an unclean thing among them. |
| 2 | Jeremiah 6:24 | We have heard the report; our hands hang limp. Anguish has gripped us, pain like that of a woman in labor. |
| 3 | Isaiah 22:4 | Therefore I said, “Turn away from me, let me weep bitterly! Do not try to console me over the destruction of the daughter of my people.” |
| 4 | Lamentations 5:17 | Because of this, our hearts are faint; because of these, our eyes grow dim— |
| 5 | Habakkuk 3:16 | I heard and trembled within; my lips quivered at the sound. Decay entered my bones; I trembled where I stood. Yet I must wait patiently for the day of distress to come upon the people who invade us. |
| 6 | Daniel 10:16–17 | And suddenly one with the likeness of a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and said to the one standing before me, “My lord, because of the vision, I am overcome with anguish, and I have no strength. How can I, your servant, speak with you, my lord? Now I have no strength, nor is any breath left in me.” |
| 7 | Job 7:13–14 | When I think my bed will comfort me and my couch will ease my complaint, then You frighten me with dreams and terrify me with visions, |
| 8 | Jeremiah 10:19–22 | Woe to me because of my brokenness; my wound is grievous! But I said, “This is truly my sickness, and I must bear it.” My tent is destroyed, and all its ropes are snapped. My sons have departed from me and are no more. I have no one left to pitch my tent or set up my curtains. For the shepherds have become senseless; they do not seek the LORD. Therefore they have not prospered, and all their flock is scattered. Listen! The sound of a report is coming— a great commotion from the land to the north. The cities of Judah will be made a desolation, a haunt for jackals. |
Jeremiah 8:18 Summary
[Jeremiah 8:18 is a verse that shows us the deep sorrow and emotional pain that the prophet Jeremiah felt as he saw the sins of his people and the judgment that was to come. He felt like his heart was faint and his sorrow was beyond healing, much like the emotional struggles described in Psalm 42:11. This verse reminds us that it's okay to feel sad and overwhelmed, but we can always bring our emotions to God in prayer, as seen in Philippians 4:6-7. As believers, we can experience the comfort of God's presence in our sorrow, and trust in His goodness and love, as promised in Romans 8:28.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the source of the speaker's sorrow in Jeremiah 8:18?
The speaker's sorrow in Jeremiah 8:18 is a result of the impending judgment and destruction of Judah, as seen in the surrounding verses, such as Jeremiah 8:16-17, where the LORD declares He will send snakes among the people and enemy horses will be heard from Dan.
Is the sorrow beyond healing a reference to a physical or emotional pain?
The sorrow beyond healing in Jeremiah 8:18 seems to be an emotional or spiritual pain, as the speaker's heart is faint within them, indicating a deep sense of despair and hopelessness, similar to what is described in Psalm 42:11.
How does this verse relate to the overall message of the book of Jeremiah?
This verse fits into the overall message of the book of Jeremiah, which is a call to repentance and a warning of judgment for the sins of Judah, as seen in Jeremiah 7:1-20 and Jeremiah 9:1-26.
What does this verse teach us about the emotional life of the prophet Jeremiah?
This verse gives us a glimpse into the emotional life of the prophet Jeremiah, showing that he is deeply affected by the sins of his people and the judgment that is to come, much like the emotional struggles of other biblical prophets, such as Elijah in 1 Kings 19:4-18.
Reflection Questions
- What are some things in my life that cause me deep sorrow, and how can I bring them before the Lord in prayer?
- How can I, like Jeremiah, allow my heart to be broken for the sins of those around me, and pray for their repentance?
- In what ways can I, as a believer, experience the comfort of God's presence in the midst of sorrow, as promised in Matthew 5:4 and 2 Corinthians 1:3-4?
- What are some ways I can cultivate a deeper sense of empathy and compassion for those who are suffering, as seen in Jeremiah's emotional response to the judgment of Judah?
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 8:18
When I would comfort myself against terror,.... Either naturally, by eating and drinking, the necessary and lawful means of refreshment; or spiritually, by reading the word of God, and looking over
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 8:18
When I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me. When I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me - (Isaiah 22:4). The lamentation of the prophet for the impending calamity of his country.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 8:18
The language of the people, being long shut up in their cities, and finding no relief, at last faint, . But more probably the prophet now seems to speak his own resentments, how greatly the calamity of his people did affect him; the like : when he would sometimes refresh himself with the comfortable refreshments of nature, the thoughts of his people’ s misery do so afflict him, that his heart is ready to faint, to sink within him.
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 8:18
Jeremiah 8:18 [When] I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart [is] faint in me.Ver. 18. When I would comfort myself, &c.] Or, as some render it, O my comfort against sorrow, i.e., O my God; others, My recreation is joined with sorrow.
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 8:18
(18) When I would comfort myself . . .—The word translated comfort is not found elsewhere, and has been very differently understood. Taking the words as spoken after a pause, they come as a cry of sorrow following the proclamation of the judgment of Jehovah, Ah, my comfort against sorrow! (mourning for it as dead and gone); my heart is sick within me. The latter phrase is the same as in Isaiah 1:5.
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 8:18
18. Oh that I could comfort myself] lit. brighten myself. The Hebrew verb occurs here only, but is found in Arabic in this sense. See further in Dr., p. 352.
Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 8:18
Rather, “O my comfort in sorrow: my heart faints for me.” The word translated “comfort” is by some supposed to be corrupt.
Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 8:18
AND SORROW, Jeremiah 8:18-22.18. When I would comfort, etc. — The original for “comfort” is a noun used vocatively, and occurs only here. Hence, the rendering should be, O my comfort in sorrow, my heart grows sick in me.
Sermons on Jeremiah 8:18
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Is There No Balm in Gilead? by Richard E. Bieber | Richard E. Bieber preaches about the urgent need for the Body of Christ to acknowledge its spiritual sickness and turn to the Physician, Jesus Christ, for healing and restoration. |
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Blessed Are Those Who Mourn by Richard E. Bieber | Richard E. Bieber preaches on the importance of genuine repentance and the need to move beyond emotional responses to true heart transformation. He emphasizes the significance of w |
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The Alphabetical Scriptures; or the Divine Acrostics by H.J. Vine | H.J. Vine preaches about the divine design and inspiration of Scripture, highlighting the intricate structure of the Alphabetical Scriptures, such as the Divine Acrostics, which po |
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Gods People Are Hurting by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on their personal struggles and the feeling of being overwhelmed. They mention the story of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, where he experie |
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The Greatness of God (Isaiah 6) - Part 3 by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of recognizing the greatness of Christ and the impending judgment day. He describes a scene where the greatest creatures in e |
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If Revival Doesn't Come by Ronald Glass | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the prophet Habakkuk and his reaction to God's revelation of judgment. Habakkuk expresses his fear and physical distress upon understanding t |
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That They Have Great Effects on the Body, Is No Sign by Jonathan Edwards | Jonathan Edwards discusses the effects of affections on the body, emphasizing that all affections, whether spiritual or not, have some impact on the body due to the close connectio |