As for me, I have not hastened from being a pastor to follow thee: neither have I desired the woeful day; thou knowest: that which came out of my lips was right before thee.

JEREMIAH 17:16KJV
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Jeremiah 17:16 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 17:16 mean?

Jeremiah 17:16 shows the prophet Jeremiah speaking honestly to God, saying he has not rushed away from his calling as a shepherd (pastor) to follow God, nor has he wished for the coming disaster he must announce. Jeremiah reminds God that everything he has spoken has been sincere and upright before Him.

In this verse, Jeremiah is defending himself before God during a time of opposition and hardship. Jeremiah is the speaker, addressing God directly, and he is explaining that he has faithfully carried out his prophetic role, even though it has brought him trouble. He insists he has not longed for the "woeful day"—the day of judgment he must proclaim—and that his words have always been honest and spoken in God’s presence.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 17:16

  • "hastened" (חָפַז, chaphaz) means to hurry or flee quickly. Jeremiah is saying he has not run away from his responsibilities or tried to escape his calling.
  • "pastor" (רָעָה, ra‘ah) is often used for a shepherd or someone who tends a flock. Here, it points to Jeremiah’s role as a spiritual leader, showing he has not abandoned his duty.
  • "woeful" (אָנָה, ’onah) describes something dreadful or disastrous. Jeremiah clarifies he has not wished for the day of calamity he must announce, countering any idea that he takes pleasure in judgment.
  • "before" (נֶגֶד, neged) means "in front of" or "in the presence of." Jeremiah stresses that his words have always been open and honest before God, not hidden or deceitful.

Why Jeremiah 17:16 matters

  • Jeremiah 17:16 clears up the idea that prophets like Jeremiah enjoyed announcing judgment; instead, Jeremiah shows he dreaded the coming disaster and did not desire it.
  • The verse highlights Jeremiah’s integrity and faithfulness, even when his message was unpopular and brought him personal suffering.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage by showing Jeremiah’s close, honest relationship with God, and his struggle to remain faithful under pressure from people who opposed his message.

Where else these words appear

“woeful” Hebrew H605 · used in 9 verses

  • 2 Samuel 12:15 And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.
  • Isaiah 17:11 In the day shalt thou make thy plant to grow, and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to flourish: but the harvest shall be a heap in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow.
  • Jeremiah 30:12 For thus saith the LORD, Thy bruise is incurable, and thy wound is grievous.

“hastened” Hebrew H213 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 19:15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.
  • Joshua 17:15 And Joshua answered them, If thou be a great people, then get thee up to the wood country, and cut down for thyself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants, if mount Ephraim be too narrow for thee.
  • Proverbs 28:20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

“before” Hebrew H5227 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 25:21 And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
  • Judges 18:6 And the priest said unto them, Go in peace: before the LORD is your way wherein ye go.
  • Proverbs 4:25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

“desired” Hebrew H183 · used in 26 verses

  • Numbers 11:4 And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?
  • 1 Kings 11:37 And I will take thee, and thou shalt reign according to all that thy soul desireth, and shalt be king over Israel.
  • Proverbs 21:10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.