Jeremiah 13:17

KJV

But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for [your] pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive.

KJV (with Strong's)

But if ye will not hear {H8085} it, my soul {H5315} shall weep {H1058} in secret places {H4565} for {H6440} your pride {H1466}; and mine eye {H5869} shall weep {H1830} sore {H1830}, and run down {H3381} with tears {H1832}, because the LORD'S {H3068} flock {H5739} is carried away captive {H7617}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But if you will not hear this warning, I will weep secretly because of your pride; my eyes will weep bitterly, streaming with tears, because ADONAI's flock is carried away captive.

Berean Standard Bible

But if you do not listen, I will weep in secret because of your pride. My eyes will overflow with tears, because the LORD’s flock has been taken captive.

American Standard Version

But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because Jehovah’s flock is taken captive.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 13:17 is a profound lament from the prophet Jeremiah, expressing deep anguish over Judah's obstinate refusal to heed God's warnings. It portrays the intense sorrow of both the prophet and, implicitly, God Himself, as they foresee the inevitable consequences of the nation's pride and disobedience: their impending exile and captivity. This verse encapsulates the divine heartbreak over a beloved people choosing a path that leads to their own destruction, highlighting the emotional cost of persistent rebellion against the Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 13:17 is situated within a series of symbolic actions and prophetic pronouncements in [Jeremiah chapter 13](/jeremiah/13 "Jeremiah 13 - The Ruined Sash and Wine Jars"), all designed to illustrate Judah's spiritual decay and impending judgment. Prior to this verse, God instructs Jeremiah to buy a linen sash, wear it, and then bury it by the Euphrates, only to retrieve it later, finding it ruined ([Jeremiah 13:1-11](/jeremiah/13-1-11 "Jeremiah 13:1-11 - The Ruined Linen Sash")). This act vividly symbolizes how Judah, once closely bound to God, has been corrupted by their pride and unfaithfulness, rendering them useless for God's purposes. Following this, the metaphor of wine jars is introduced, signifying that just as jars are filled with wine, so too will the inhabitants of Judah—from kings to commoners—be filled with divine wrath, leading to confusion and mutual destruction ([Jeremiah 13:12-14](/jeremiah/13-12-14 "Jeremiah 13:12-14 - The Wine Jars Metaphor")). The immediate verses preceding 13:17 contain a direct appeal for humility and obedience before the darkness of judgment falls, urging them to "give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness" ([Jeremiah 13:15-16](/jeremiah/13-15-16 "Jeremiah 13:15-16 - A Call to Humility")). Thus, verse 17 serves as the prophet's sorrowful response to the people's stubbornness, emphasizing the tragic outcome of their unrepentant pride and the profound grief it causes.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah prophesied during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of several kings, from Josiah to Zedekiah, just before and during the Babylonian exile (c. 627-586 BC). The nation of Judah had largely abandoned the covenant with Yahweh, engaging in idolatry, social injustice, and political alliances that defied God's commands. Despite repeated warnings from prophets like Jeremiah, the people, including their leaders, remained unrepentant. The cultural context was one of spiritual apostasy, where pagan worship and syncretism were rampant, often blending the worship of Yahweh with Baal and other Canaanite deities. Geographically, Judah was caught between the rising power of Babylon and the declining influence of Egypt, leading to a complex and often disastrous foreign policy that disregarded God's instruction to trust in Him alone. The "captivity" mentioned in the verse refers directly to the series of deportations by the Babylonian Empire, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 586 BC, a direct consequence of the nation's persistent rebellion against the covenant God.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 13:17 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. The most prominent theme is **Unheeded Warnings**, as the phrase "But if ye will not hear it" underscores Judah's persistent rejection of divine instruction, a recurring motif throughout Jeremiah's ministry, as seen in passages like [Jeremiah 7:24](/jeremiah/7-24 "Jeremiah 7:24 - Refusal to Listen") where the people "walked in the imagination of their evil heart." This leads directly to the theme of **Divine and Prophetic Grief**, where Jeremiah's profound sorrow reflects God's own lament over His rebellious people. God's heart is grieved not by the act of judgment itself, but by the choices that necessitate it, echoing His conflicted sorrow over Israel's unfaithfulness found in [Hosea 11:8](/hosea/11-8 "Hosea 11:8 - God's Conflicted Heart"), where He asks, "How can I give you up, Ephraim?" Central to their rebellion is the **Sin of Pride**, which is explicitly named as the cause of Jeremiah's weeping. This spiritual arrogance blinded the people to their need for repentance and correction, ultimately leading to their downfall, a principle articulated in [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Precedes Destruction"), "Pride goeth before destruction." Finally, the verse highlights the **Consequences of Disobedience**, culminating in the "LORD'S flock" being "carried away captive." This metaphor of God's people as His "flock" (e.g., [Psalm 23:1](/psalm/23-1 "Psalm 23:1 - The Lord as Shepherd")) emphasizes God's protective care, making their captivity a tragic outcome of their own choices, not a failure of God's shepherding.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **weep (Hebrew, _bâkâh'_):** From H1058, a primitive root meaning "to weep; generally to bemoan." This word, used twice in the verse (implied in "my soul shall weep" and explicitly in "mine eye shall weep sore"), conveys a deep, visceral sorrow. It's not a casual shedding of tears but an intense, often public, expression of grief and lamentation, indicating profound distress and mourning over a tragic situation. The repetition emphasizes the overwhelming nature of this sorrow.
* **pride (Hebrew, _gêvâh'_):** From H1466, meaning "exaltation; (figuratively) arrogance; lifting up, pride." This term identifies the root cause of Judah's impending judgment. It speaks to a haughty self-sufficiency and an inflated sense of importance that prevents humility and submission to God's will. This pride manifests as a refusal to listen or obey, leading to spiritual blindness and ultimately, destruction. It is the antithesis of the humble spirit God desires.
* **flock (Hebrew, _ʻêder'_):** From H5739, meaning "an arrangement, i.e. muster (of animals); drove, flock, herd." This term is a common biblical metaphor for God's people, particularly Israel, depicting them as sheep under the care of their divine Shepherd, the LORD. The imagery of the "LORD'S flock" being "carried away captive" powerfully conveys the vulnerability and helplessness of the people without God's protection, and the devastating consequence of their departure from His guidance. It highlights God's tender ownership and the tragedy of their self-inflicted plight.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But if ye will not hear it":** This opening clause establishes the conditional nature of the prophet's lament and the impending judgment. It highlights the people's persistent and willful refusal to listen to God's commands and warnings, which have been delivered repeatedly through Jeremiah. Their disobedience is not due to ignorance but to a deliberate choice, emphasizing their culpability.
* **"my soul shall weep in secret places for [your] pride":** This clause reveals the prophet's deep personal anguish, which often mirrors God's own heart. "My soul" (Hebrew: _nephesh_) emphasizes the totality of his being, indicating an emotional and spiritual burden that permeates his very essence. The weeping occurs "in secret places" (Hebrew: _miçtâr_), suggesting a private, profound sorrow, perhaps too agonizing or intimate for public display, reflecting the hidden grief of both prophet and God. The direct cause of this weeping is explicitly stated as the people's "pride," identifying spiritual arrogance and self-sufficiency as the root sin leading to their downfall.
* **"and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears":** This intensifies the imagery of weeping, moving from the inner soul to the outward manifestation of tears. "Weep sore" (Hebrew: _dâmaʻ dâmaʻ_, an infinitive absolute construction) signifies an agonizing, continuous, and abundant flow of tears, emphasizing the extreme depth of the prophet's sorrow and the severity of the impending judgment. The tears are not just a trickle but "run down" (Hebrew: _yârad_), indicating an overwhelming flood of grief, a torrent of sorrow over the nation's tragic fate.
* **"because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive":** This final clause states the ultimate reason and consequence for the prophet's profound sorrow. The people of Judah are identified as "the LORD'S flock" (Hebrew: _ʻêder Yᵉhôvâh_), a tender and intimate metaphor for God's chosen people, highlighting His ownership and care. Their being "carried away captive" (Hebrew: _shâbâh_) refers to the impending Babylonian exile, which is presented as the direct and tragic outcome of their unheeded warnings and unrepentant pride, a devastating loss for both the people and their divine Shepherd.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 13:17 is rich with literary devices that amplify its emotional and theological impact. **Personification** is evident in "my soul shall weep," attributing human emotion and action to the abstract concept of the soul, emphasizing the profound, internal nature of the prophet's (and implicitly, God's) grief. This is further intensified by **Hyperbole** and vivid **Imagery** in "mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears," which powerfully portrays an overwhelming, uncontrollable flood of sorrow, suggesting a grief far beyond ordinary human tears. The phrase "the LORD'S flock" is a potent **Metaphor**, comparing the people of Judah to vulnerable sheep under the care of their divine Shepherd. This metaphor highlights God's tender relationship with His people and underscores the tragedy of their impending captivity, as a flock without its shepherd is vulnerable to predators and destruction. The entire verse functions as a **Lament**, a common prophetic genre, expressing deep sorrow and mourning over the spiritual state and inevitable fate of the nation due to their persistent rebellion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 13:17 powerfully articulates the profound sorrow of God over His people's rebellion, demonstrating that divine judgment is not arbitrary but a painful necessity born of persistent disobedience. It reveals God's heart as one that grieves over the consequences of sin, rather than delighting in punishment. The verse underscores the destructive nature of pride, which hardens hearts against divine counsel and leads to spiritual and physical captivity. It also reinforces the covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel, portraying them as His cherished "flock," whose suffering is keenly felt by their Shepherd. This passage serves as a timeless reminder that true spiritual health requires humility, attentiveness to God's Word, and a willingness to repent, lest one experience the sorrowful consequences of unheeded warnings and self-exaltation.

* [Psalm 119:136](/psalm/119-136 "Psalm 119:136 - Tears for Disobedience")
* [Luke 19:41-44](/luke/19-41-44 "Luke 19:41-44 - Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem")
* [Romans 2:4](/romans/2-4 "Romans 2:4 - God's Kindness Leads to Repentance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 13:17 calls us to a profound self-examination regarding our own responsiveness to God's Word and the insidious nature of pride. The prophet's tears, mirroring God's own sorrow, serve as a poignant reminder that sin grieves the heart of God, not merely offends His holiness. For us today, this verse challenges us to cultivate a posture of humility, recognizing that our spiritual well-being depends entirely on our willingness to listen and obey, rather than relying on our own strength or wisdom. It compels us to consider whether our own "secret places" harbor unconfessed pride, stubbornness, or unheeded warnings, leading to a spiritual "captivity" of our own making—a separation from God's full blessing and presence. Furthermore, it invites us into a deeper empathy for those who are lost or suffering due to their choices, prompting us to intercede with the same compassionate grief that Jeremiah expressed for the "LORD'S flock." Ultimately, this passage is a powerful call to repentance, a turning away from self-exaltation and towards the loving guidance of the Shepherd, ensuring that we remain within His protective fold and avoid the sorrowful consequences of spiritual stubbornness and unrepentant pride.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might pride be hindering my ability to "hear" God's voice or obey His commands?**
* **How does understanding God's grief over sin impact my own perspective on repentance and obedience, moving beyond mere duty to heartfelt response?**
* **Am I willing to weep, metaphorically or literally, for the spiritual condition of others, mirroring Jeremiah's anguish for the "LORD'S flock" who are lost or rebellious?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a more humble and receptive heart towards God's Word, actively seeking to listen and apply His truth?**

### FAQ

**Why does Jeremiah emphasize weeping "in secret places"?**

Answer: The phrase "in secret places" (Hebrew: _miçtâr_) suggests a private, hidden, and profound depth of sorrow. It could indicate Jeremiah's personal, unburdened anguish, too intense or intimate for public display, highlighting the deep emotional toll of his prophetic ministry. More significantly, it metaphorically reflects God's own hidden grief over His people's choices. This secret weeping emphasizes that the sorrow is not for show, but a genuine, agonizing response to the impending disaster caused by Judah's pride. It underscores the deeply personal and emotional toll of delivering such a difficult prophetic message and the heartbreak of seeing a beloved people choose a path to destruction, despite repeated divine warnings. This private grief contrasts sharply with the public lamentations often seen in the ancient Near East, adding a layer of intimacy and profound personal suffering.

**What is the significance of referring to Judah as "the LORD'S flock" in this context?**

Answer: The metaphor of "the LORD'S flock" (Hebrew: _ʻêder Yᵉhôvâh_) is a tender and significant biblical image for God's people, particularly Israel. It emphasizes God's role as their Shepherd, implying His care, protection, and guidance, much like a shepherd cares for his sheep (see [Psalm 23:1](/psalm/23-1 "Psalm 23:1 - The Lord is My Shepherd") or [Ezekiel 34:11](/ezekiel/34-11 "Ezekiel 34:11 - God Seeks His Flock")). In Jeremiah 13:17, this metaphor heightens the tragedy of their situation. For the "LORD'S flock" to be "carried away captive" means that despite God's desire to shepherd and protect them, their persistent rebellion and pride forced Him to allow them to face the consequences, like sheep straying from the shepherd's care and falling prey to danger. It underscores the deep pain God feels when His cherished people choose to abandon His loving guidance, leading to their vulnerability and subsequent judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah's weeping in secret places for the pride and impending captivity of the "LORD'S flock" finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest resonance in the person of Jesus Christ. Just as Jeremiah grieved over a rebellious Israel, so too did Jesus weep over Jerusalem, lamenting their refusal to recognize the time of their visitation and their ultimate rejection of Him, their true Shepherd (see [Luke 19:41-44](/luke/19-41-44 "Luke 19:41-44 - Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem")). The pride that led Judah to physical captivity is the same spiritual malady that separates all humanity from God, a pride that Christ came to conquer not through judgment, but through humble self-sacrifice. He is the Good Shepherd who willingly lays down His life for the sheep, not to see them carried away captive, but to gather them into His fold and grant them eternal life (see [John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd Lays Down His Life")). The captivity that Jeremiah foresaw was a physical one, but Christ's mission was to free humanity from the spiritual captivity of sin and death, a freedom secured by His atoning work on the cross (see [Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from the Domain of Darkness")). Thus, Jeremiah's tears foreshadow the compassionate heart of God fully revealed in Christ, who, though experiencing profound sorrow for humanity's lostness, ultimately provided the means for true liberation and reconciliation, inviting all to humble themselves and find refuge in Him, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (see [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Malachi 2:2

If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay [it] to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay [it] to heart.

Jeremiah 14:17

¶ Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.

Jeremiah 9:1

¶ Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!

Psalms 80:1

¶ To the chief Musician upon Shoshannimeduth, A Psalm of Asaph. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest [between] the cherubims, shine forth.

Luke 19:41

¶ And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,

Luke 19:42

Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things [which belong] unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.

Romans 9:2

That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.