The Meaning of Jeremiah 20:17 Explained

Jeremiah 20:17

KJV: Because he slew me not from the womb; or that my mother might have been my grave, and her womb to be always great with me.

YLT: Because he hath not put me to death from the womb, And my mother is to me -- my grave, And her womb a pregnancy age-during.

Darby: because he slew me not from the womb. Or would that my mother had been my grave, and her womb always great with me!

ASV: because he slew me not from the womb; and so my mother would have been my grave, and her womb always great.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Because he slew  me not from the womb;  or that my mother  might have been my grave,  and her womb  [to be] always  great  [with me]. 

What does Jeremiah 20:17 Mean?

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 20:17 mean?

because not he did kill me from the womb that might have been to my mother my grave and her womb pregnant always enlarged [with me]
אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹא־ מוֹתְתַ֖נִי מֵרָ֑חֶם וַתְּהִי־ לִ֤י אִמִּי֙ קִבְרִ֔י וְרַחְמָ֖הֿ הֲרַ֥ת עוֹלָֽם

אֲשֶׁ֥ר  because 
Parse: Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
מוֹתְתַ֖נִי  he  did  kill  me 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Perfect, third person masculine singular, first person common singular
Root: מוּת  
Sense: to die, kill, have one executed.
מֵרָ֑חֶם  from  the  womb 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine singular
Root: רֶחֶם  
Sense: womb.
וַתְּהִי־  that  might  have  been 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person feminine singular
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
אִמִּי֙  my  mother 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: אֵם  
Sense: mother.
קִבְרִ֔י  my  grave 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: קֶבֶר  
Sense: grave, sepulchre, tomb.
וְרַחְמָ֖הֿ  and  her  womb 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular construct, third person feminine singular
Root: רֶחֶם  
Sense: womb.
הֲרַ֥ת  pregnant 
Parse: Adjective, feminine singular construct
Root: הָרֶה 
Sense: pregnant.
עוֹלָֽם  always  enlarged  [with  me] 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: עֹולָם  
Sense: long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world.

What are the major concepts related to Jeremiah 20:17?

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