But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive.

JEREMIAH 13:17KJV
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Jeremiah 13:17 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 13:17 mean?

Jeremiah 13:17 describes the prophet Jeremiah expressing deep sorrow and warning that if the people do not listen to God’s message, he will mourn privately because of their pride, as God’s people will be taken away into captivity. The verse shows Jeremiah’s personal grief over the stubbornness and coming suffering of his community.

In this verse, Jeremiah is speaking to the people of Judah, warning them about the consequences of ignoring God’s instructions. Jeremiah’s grief is not just public but deeply personal—he says he will weep in secret places, showing how much he cares for the people despite their pride. The verse highlights the seriousness of their situation: their refusal to listen will lead to their exile, and Jeremiah feels this loss so strongly that he cannot help but cry for them.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 13:17

  • "hear" (שָׁמַע, shamaʿ): This word means to listen or obey. Jeremiah’s warning is not just about physically hearing but about truly responding to God’s message.
  • "soul" (נֶפֶשׁ, nefesh): Here, "soul" means Jeremiah’s innermost being or deepest self, emphasizing how personally he feels this sorrow.
  • "weep" (בָּכָה, bakhah): This is the standard word for weeping, but paired with "in secret places" it shows Jeremiah’s grief is genuine and not for show.
  • "pride" (גֵּוָה, gevah): This word refers to arrogance or self-importance. Jeremiah points to pride as the root cause of the people’s downfall.
  • "flock" (צֹאן, tson): This word often refers to God’s people as a group under His care, like sheep with a shepherd, making their captivity even more tragic.

Why Jeremiah 13:17 matters

  • Jeremiah 13:17 makes clear that Jeremiah’s warnings are not harsh condemnations but come from a place of love and sorrow for his people’s stubbornness.
  • The verse highlights pride as a key reason for the people’s coming suffering, helping readers see the connection between attitude and consequence.
  • Jeremiah’s private weeping shows the burden of a true prophet: he feels the pain of the people’s choices personally, not just as a distant messenger.

Where else these words appear

“pride” Hebrew H1466 · used in 3 verses

  • Job 22:29 When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person.
  • Job 33:17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.

“places” Hebrew H4565 · used in 10 verses

  • Psalms 10:8 He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.
  • Psalms 64:4 That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
  • Jeremiah 49:10 But I have made Esau bare, I have uncovered his secret places, and he shall not be able to hide himself: his seed is spoiled, and his brethren, and his neighbours, and he is not.

“tears” Hebrew H1832 · used in 22 verses

  • 2 Kings 20:5 Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD.
  • Psalms 126:5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
  • Jeremiah 14:17 Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.

“flock” Hebrew H5739 · used in 34 verses

  • Genesis 29:2 And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great stone was upon the well's mouth.
  • Proverbs 27:23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.
  • Jeremiah 31:10 Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.