The Meaning of Jeremiah 20:9 Explained

Jeremiah 20:9

KJV: Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.

YLT: And I said, 'I do not mention Him, Nor do I speak any more in His name,' And it hath been in my heart As a burning fire shut up in my bones, And I have been weary of containing, And I am not able.

Darby: And I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name: but it was in my heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones; and I became wearied with holding in, and I could not.

ASV: And if I say, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name, then there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with forbearing, and I cannot contain .

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Then I said,  I will not make mention  of him, nor speak  any more in his name.  But [his word] was in mine heart  as a burning  fire  shut up  in my bones,  and I was weary  with forbearing,  and I could  not [stay]. 

What does Jeremiah 20:9 Mean?

Verse Meaning

When Jeremiah became so tired of the opposition he faced that he decided to stop delivering his messages, the Lord"s Word burned within him as a fire. Finally he could contain himself no longer and spoke again. One writer used this apt description of the prophet"s feelings as the title of his book on Jeremiah: Fire in My Bones. [1]

Context Summary

Jeremiah 20:1-18 - The Folly Of Idolatry
Jeremiah 10:1-10
We are here introduced into an idol-factory. Contrasted with the manufactured idols is the majesty of our God. There is none like Him. His name is great in might; He is the King of the nations, the true and living God, and the everlasting King! Christian, fear not or be dismayed when enemies plot against you. It is a vain device that they frame. To hide in God is a sure defence from all that man can do for our hurt. O thou true and living Savior, in thy wounds harried and faithful souls become strong and brave again.
Jeremiah 10:19-25
The prophet now bids the people prepare for their captivity. Their city would be as when a shepherd removed his slight and insubstantial tent, leaving no trace. But Jeremiah's soul is lacerated and torn with the message he must needs announce. Are we called to be shepherds? Let us see to it that we seek the Lord; so only shall our flocks not be scattered, Jeremiah 10:21. Are we in perplexity as to our path in life? It is not for us to direct ourselves, but to look up for God's sure guidance, which will be given to the soul that waits for it, Jeremiah 10:23. Are we being corrected? Let us be patient; it is only when we endure without complaining that our trial works out the highest good, and God will not give us more than we can bear, Jeremiah 10:24. [source]

Chapter Summary: Jeremiah 20

1  Pashur, smiting Jeremiah, receives a new name, and a fearful doom
7  Jeremiah complains of contempt;
10  of treachery;
14  and of his birth

What do the individual words in Jeremiah 20:9 mean?

And I said not I will make mention of Him nor speak anymore in His name But [His word] was in my heart like a fire burning Shut up in my bones and I was weary of holding [it] back and not I could
וְאָמַרְתִּ֣י לֹֽא־ אֶזְכְּרֶ֗נּוּ וְלֹֽא־ אֲדַבֵּ֥ר עוֹד֙ בִּשְׁמ֔וֹ וְהָיָ֤ה בְלִבִּי֙ כְּאֵ֣שׁ בֹּעֶ֔רֶת עָצֻ֖ר בְּעַצְמֹתָ֑י וְנִלְאֵ֥יתִי כַּֽלְכֵ֖ל וְלֹ֥א אוּכָֽל

וְאָמַרְתִּ֣י  And  I  said 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, first person common singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
אֶזְכְּרֶ֗נּוּ  I  will  make  mention  of  Him 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, first person common singular, third person masculine singular
Root: זָכַר 
Sense: to remember, recall, call to mind.
וְלֹֽא־  nor 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
אֲדַבֵּ֥ר  speak 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperfect, first person common singular
Root: דָּבַר 
Sense: to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing.
עוֹד֙  anymore 
Parse: Adverb
Root: עֹוד  
Sense: a going round, continuance adv.
בִּשְׁמ֔וֹ  in  His  name 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: שֵׁם  
Sense: name.
וְהָיָ֤ה  But  [His  word]  was 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
בְלִבִּי֙  in  my  heart 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: לֵב 
Sense: inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding.
כְּאֵ֣שׁ  like  a  fire 
Parse: Preposition-k, Noun, common singular
Root: אֵשׁ  
Sense: fire.
בֹּעֶ֔רֶת  burning 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, feminine singular
Root: בָּעַר 
Sense: to burn, consume, kindle, be kindled.
עָצֻ֖ר  Shut  up 
Parse: Verb, Qal, QalPassParticiple, masculine singular
Root: עָצַר  
Sense: to restrain, retain, close up, shut, withhold, refrain, stay, detain.
בְּעַצְמֹתָ֑י  in  my  bones 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, feminine plural construct, first person common singular
Root: עֶצֶם 
Sense: bone, essence, substance.
וְנִלְאֵ֥יתִי  and  I  was  weary 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Nifal, Conjunctive perfect, first person common singular
Root: לָאָה  
Sense: to be weary, be impatient, be grieved, be offended.
כַּֽלְכֵ֖ל  of  holding  [it]  back 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Infinitive construct
Root: כּוּל  
Sense: to seize, contain, measure.
וְלֹ֥א  and  not 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
אוּכָֽל  I  could 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, first person common singular
Root: יָכֹל  
Sense: to prevail, overcome, endure, have power, be able.