The Meaning of Jeremiah 20:7 Explained

Jeremiah 20:7

KJV: O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.

YLT: Thou hast persuaded me, O Jehovah, and I am persuaded; Thou hast hardened me, and dost prevail, I have been for a laughter all the day, Every one is mocking at me,

Darby: Jehovah, thou hast enticed me, and I was enticed; thou hast laid hold of me, and hast prevailed; I am become a derision the whole day: every one mocketh me.

ASV: O Jehovah, thou hast persuaded me, and I was persuaded; thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am become a laughing-stock all the day, every one mocketh me.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

O LORD,  thou hast deceived  me, and I was deceived:  thou art stronger  than I, and hast prevailed:  I am in derision  daily,  every one mocketh  me. 

What does Jeremiah 20:7 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The prophet complained that the Lord had deceived him (cf. Exodus 20:16; 1 Kings 22:20-22) and had overcome him. He had made Jeremiah a laughingstock and an object of constant mockery by his people. Evidently Jeremiah hoped that the people would repent at his preaching, and when they did not, he felt betrayed by the Lord.

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 20:7 mean?

You induced me Yahweh and I was persuaded You are stronger than I and have prevailed I am in derision all daily Everyone mocks me
פִּתִּיתַ֤נִי יְהוָה֙ וָֽאֶפָּ֔ת חֲזַקְתַּ֖נִי וַתּוּכָ֑ל הָיִ֤יתִי לִשְׂחוֹק֙ כָּל־ הַיּ֔וֹם כֻּלֹּ֖ה לֹעֵ֥ג לִֽי

פִּתִּיתַ֤נִי  You  induced  me 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Perfect, second person masculine singular, first person common singular
Root: פָּתָה 
Sense: to be spacious, be open, be wide.
יְהוָה֙  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
וָֽאֶפָּ֔ת  and  I  was  persuaded 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Nifal, Consecutive imperfect, first person common singular
Root: פָּתָה 
Sense: to be spacious, be open, be wide.
חֲזַקְתַּ֖נִי  You  are  stronger  than  I 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, second person masculine singular, first person common singular
Root: חָזַק  
Sense: to strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute, be sore.
וַתּוּכָ֑ל  and  have  prevailed 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: יָכֹל  
Sense: to prevail, overcome, endure, have power, be able.
הָיִ֤יתִי  I  am 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, first person common singular
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
לִשְׂחוֹק֙  in  derision 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine singular
Root: שְׂחֹוק  
Sense: laughter, laughing stock, mocking, derision.
הַיּ֔וֹם  daily 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: יׄום 
Sense: day, time, year.
כֻּלֹּ֖ה  Everyone 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: כֹּל  
Sense: all, the whole.
לֹעֵ֥ג  mocks 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: לָעַג  
Sense: to mock, deride, ridicule.
לִֽי  me 
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular