Jeremiah 10:19 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 10:19 mean?

Jeremiah 10:19 expresses a deep personal pain and acceptance of suffering, as the speaker laments a serious wound but acknowledges that this grief is something he must endure. The verse shows an honest cry of distress, paired with a resigned acceptance that the hardship cannot be avoided.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking, likely representing both his own feelings and those of the people of Judah as they face disaster and judgment. The setting is one of national crisis, with Jeremiah voicing the agony and inevitability of the suffering that has come upon them. The verse captures both the intensity of the pain and the sober realization that some burdens must simply be carried.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 10:19

• "Woe" (הוֹי, hoy): This word is a strong cry of distress or lament, often used in the Hebrew Bible to express grief or impending doom. Here, it sets the tone of deep sorrow.
• "Hurt" (שֶׁבֶר, shever): This word means a breaking or a severe injury, emphasizing the seriousness of the suffering being described.
• "Bear" (נָשָׂא, nasa’): This verb means to carry or endure. Jeremiah is not just feeling pain; he recognizes that he must continue to carry this burden, highlighting a sense of responsibility or inevitability.

Why Jeremiah 10:19 matters

• Jeremiah 10:19 helps readers see that even a prophet can express raw, honest emotion in the face of suffering, showing that faith does not mean denying pain.
• The verse emphasizes the reality of unavoidable hardship, which is a key theme in Jeremiah’s message to a people facing judgment and exile.
• By voicing both lament and acceptance, Jeremiah 10:19 connects personal suffering to the larger story of Judah’s national crisis, inviting readers to consider how individuals and communities respond to collective grief.