For shame hath devoured the labour of our fathers from our youth; their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters.

JEREMIAH 3:24KJV
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Jeremiah 3:24 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 3:24 mean?

Jeremiah 3:24 says that shame has consumed everything the people’s ancestors worked for since they were young, including their livestock and even their children. The verse describes a sense of deep loss and regret, showing how the consequences of past actions have destroyed both material wealth and family.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking about the people of Judah, expressing their realization that their unfaithfulness to God has led to ruin. The “shame” refers to the disgrace and emptiness caused by turning away from God to follow other gods. Jeremiah’s words highlight how this shame has not only affected the current generation but has also devoured the hard work and blessings of previous generations.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 3:24

  • The word “shame” is בֹּשֶׁת (boshet), often used for disgrace or humiliation, and in this context, it likely refers to the worship of false gods that brought dishonor and loss.
  • “Devoured” is אָכַל (akal), meaning to eat up or consume completely, emphasizing how thoroughly the people’s efforts and blessings have been wasted.
  • “Labour” is יְגִיעַ (yegia‘), meaning toil or hard work, pointing to the real, everyday efforts of their ancestors that have now come to nothing.
  • “Flocks” (צֹאן, tson) and “herds” (בָּקָר, baqar) are concrete references to wealth and livelihood in ancient Israel, showing that both material possessions and family (“sons” בֵּן, ben; “daughters” בַּת, bat) have been lost.

Why Jeremiah 3:24 matters

  • This verse makes clear that the consequences of unfaithfulness are not just spiritual but also practical, affecting families and livelihoods across generations.
  • Jeremiah 3:24 connects personal and national shame with the loss of blessings, helping the reader see how deeply the people’s choices have impacted their entire community.
  • The verse sets up the surrounding passage’s theme of repentance, highlighting the need for the people to recognize the true cost of their actions before turning back to God.

Where else these words appear

“labour” Hebrew H3018 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 31:42 Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.
  • Job 39:16 She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers: her labour is in vain without fear;
  • Isaiah 55:2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

“shame” Hebrew H1322 · used in 29 verses

  • 1 Samuel 20:30 Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness?
  • Psalms 109:29 Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame, and let them cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle.
  • Jeremiah 7:19 Do they provoke me to anger? saith the LORD: do they not provoke themselves to the confusion of their own faces?

“youth” Hebrew H5271 · used in 46 verses

  • Genesis 8:21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
  • Psalms 127:4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
  • Jeremiah 48:11 Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity: therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed.