Jeremiah 15:18

KJV

Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, [which] refuseth to be healed? wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar, [and as] waters [that] fail?

KJV (with Strong's)

Why is my pain {H3511} perpetual {H5331}, and my wound {H4347} incurable {H605}, which refuseth {H3985} to be healed {H7495}? wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar {H391}, and as waters {H4325} that fail {H539}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Why is my pain unending, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Will you be for me like a deceptive vadi, which is only sometimes filled with water?

Berean Standard Bible

Why is my pain unending, and my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? You have indeed become like a mirage to me— water that is not there.

American Standard Version

Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed? wilt thou indeed be unto me as a deceitful brook, as waters that fail?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 15:18 captures a raw and profound lament from the prophet Jeremiah, expressing the overwhelming burden of his prophetic ministry. He questions the perpetual nature of his suffering and the apparent incurability of his spiritual and emotional wounds, feeling as though God, his ultimate source of hope and comfort, has become unreliable and deceptive, like a mirage in the desert. This verse reveals the intense personal cost of faithfulness in a hostile environment and the prophet's honest struggle with divine promises amidst harsh reality.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 15:18 is a pivotal moment within Jeremiah's "confessions" or laments, a series of deeply personal prayers and complaints scattered throughout the book (e.g., [Jeremiah 11:18-23](/jeremiah/11-18 "Jeremiah's Complaint About Conspirators"), [Jeremiah 12:1-6](/jeremiah/12-1 "Jeremiah's Complaint About the Prosperity of the Wicked"), [Jeremiah 17:14-18](/jeremiah/17-14 "Jeremiah's Prayer for Healing and Vindication"), [Jeremiah 20:7-18](/jeremiah/20-7 "Jeremiah's Bitter Complaint")). These laments provide a stark contrast to the divine pronouncements of judgment and hope that characterize much of the book. Immediately preceding this verse, God has reaffirmed His judgment on Judah but also His commitment to deliver Jeremiah from his persecutors ([Jeremiah 15:11](/jeremiah/15-11 "God's Promise to Jeremiah")). Despite this assurance, Jeremiah's physical and emotional anguish persists, leading him to this desperate cry, which is then met by God's direct response in [Jeremiah 15:19-21](/jeremiah/15-19 "God's Response to Jeremiah's Lament"), calling him to repentance and reaffirming His presence.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah prophesied during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of the last five kings before the Babylonian exile (late 7th to early 6th century BCE). His ministry began around 627/626 BCE, during the reign of King Josiah, and continued through the reigns of Jehoiakim and Zedekiah, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BCE. Jeremiah was called to deliver an unpopular message of impending judgment and exile due to Judah's persistent idolatry and moral corruption, despite repeated warnings from God (e.g., [Jeremiah 7:1-15](/jeremiah/7-1 "Jeremiah's Temple Sermon")). This message alienated him from the priests, false prophets, kings, and even his own family, leading to constant persecution, imprisonment, and threats against his life (e.g., [Jeremiah 20:1-6](/jeremiah/20-1 "Jeremiah Imprisoned by Pashhur")). The imagery of "waters that fail" would have resonated deeply with an ancient Near Eastern audience familiar with the harsh realities of desert travel, where the promise of water was life itself, and its absence or deception was a cruel betrayal.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 15:18 powerfully articulates several central themes of the book of Jeremiah and prophetic literature in general. Firstly, it highlights the **Profound Prophetic Suffering** experienced by those called to speak God's truth in hostile times. Jeremiah's personal anguish is not merely incidental but integral to his prophetic identity, mirroring the suffering of God over His rebellious people. Secondly, the verse introduces the theme of **Questioning Divine Faithfulness**, a bold and honest wrestling with God's character when His promises seem to contradict lived experience. This is not unbelief, but a desperate plea for understanding and intervention from one who feels abandoned. Finally, it underscores the **Burden of Ministry**, particularly the immense psychological and spiritual toll exacted when one's calling involves delivering a message of judgment that brings only rejection and personal hardship, rather than immediate vindication or success.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pain (Hebrew, _kᵉʼêb'_):** From H3511, meaning "suffering (physical or mental), adversity; grief, pain, sorrow." Jeremiah's use of this word emphasizes the deep, comprehensive nature of his affliction. It's not merely discomfort but a profound, pervasive anguish that affects his entire being, encompassing both the physical burdens of his ministry (e.g., imprisonment, public shaming) and the spiritual/emotional grief over his people's sin and God's impending judgment.
* **Liar (Hebrew, _ʼakzâb'_):** From H391, meaning "falsehood; by implication treachery; liar, lie." This is a direct and shocking accusation leveled at God. The term implies not just a mistake but a deliberate deception, a betrayal of trust. Jeremiah feels that God's promises of protection and presence (e.g., [Jeremiah 1:18-19](/jeremiah/1-18 "Jeremiah's Commission and Promise of Protection")) have proven to be false, leaving him exposed and vulnerable.
* **Fail (Hebrew, _ʼâman'_):** From H539, a primitive root meaning "to build up or support; to foster... figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanent or quiet; morally to be true or certain." In this context, used in the negative ("waters that fail"), it signifies a lack of steadfastness, trustworthiness, or reliability. Jeremiah perceives God as having failed to uphold His end of the covenant relationship, particularly in providing the promised comfort and deliverance, thus becoming an unreliable source of sustenance and hope.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Why is my pain perpetual,"**: This opening clause is a desperate rhetorical question, highlighting the prophet's profound and seemingly unending suffering. The word "perpetual" (Hebrew: *netsach*) conveys a sense of endlessness, emphasizing the relentless and unceasing nature of his anguish, suggesting a state without relief or foreseeable end.
* **"and my wound incurable, [which] refuseth to be healed?"**: This expands on the nature of his pain, describing it as a "wound" (Hebrew: *makkâh*) that is "incurable" (Hebrew: *ʼânash*), meaning grievous or desperate. The personification of the wound "refusing to be healed" (Hebrew: *mâʼên* - to refuse) underscores Jeremiah's utter helplessness and the depth of his despair; even if healing were offered, the wound itself seems to resist it, indicating an internal, perhaps spiritual, brokenness beyond external remedies.
* **"wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar,"**: This is the most audacious and direct challenge in the verse. Jeremiah questions God's very character, asking if He will be "altogether" (emphasizing totality) like a "liar." This accusation stems from the prophet's perception that God's promises of support and deliverance have not materialized in his experience, leading him to doubt God's faithfulness and truthfulness.
* **"and as waters [that] fail?"**: This powerful metaphor clarifies the nature of the "liar" accusation. "Waters that fail" (Hebrew: *mayim lo ne'emanim* - literally "unfaithful waters") evokes the cruel deception of a mirage in the desert—a source that promises life-giving refreshment but vanishes when approached, leaving the thirsty traveler more desperate than before. Jeremiah feels that God, who should be a reliable source of living water, has proven to be an untrustworthy, deceptive spring.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 15:18 employs several potent literary devices to convey the prophet's intense anguish and theological struggle. The verse opens with a **Rhetorical Question**, "Why is my pain perpetual...?", which serves not to elicit an answer, but to express the prophet's overwhelming despair and frustration, highlighting the seemingly inexplicable nature of his suffering. This is immediately followed by **Hyperbole**, describing his pain as "perpetual" and his wound as "incurable," emphasizing the extreme and relentless nature of his distress beyond normal human experience. The wound is further given agency through **Personification**, as it "refuseth to be healed," underscoring Jeremiah's utter helplessness in the face of his affliction. The most striking device is the **Metaphor** comparing God to "a liar" and "waters that fail." This vivid imagery, particularly the "unfaithful waters," draws on the common desert experience of a deceptive mirage, powerfully conveying Jeremiah's feeling of betrayal and the perceived unreliability of the divine source of comfort and sustenance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 15:18 stands as a profound testament to the legitimacy of honest lament within a covenant relationship with God. It challenges any simplistic view of faith that denies the reality of deep suffering or the struggle with divine promises. Theologically, it affirms that God is big enough to handle our rawest emotions and most desperate questions, even accusations, without being diminished. Jeremiah's complaint is not an abandonment of faith, but an intense engagement with it, seeking clarity and intervention from the very God he serves. This wrestling reflects a deep, albeit strained, intimacy, demonstrating that true faith can encompass doubt, pain, and profound questioning while still clinging to the hope of God's ultimate faithfulness, even when it is obscured by present circumstances. It reminds us that suffering, even for the righteous, is a real and often inexplicable part of the human experience, forcing us to confront the mysteries of divine sovereignty and human free will.
* [Psalm 13:1-2](/psalms/13-1 "Psalm 13:1-2 - David's Lament and Questioning of God")
* [Job 7:3-4](/job/7-3 "Job 7:3-4 - Job's Despair and Sleepless Nights")
* [Habakkuk 1:2-3](/habakkuk/1-2 "Habakkuk 1:2-3 - Habakkuk's Complaint to God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah's raw lament in this verse offers profound solace and validation for believers navigating their own seasons of prolonged suffering, doubt, or perceived abandonment by God. It grants us permission to bring our unfiltered pain, confusion, and even our accusations directly before the Lord, knowing that He is not intimidated by our honesty. This verse reminds us that faith is not the absence of doubt or pain, but the courage to voice those struggles within the context of relationship with a God who listens. It encourages us to persist in prayer and lament, even when answers are slow to come or our circumstances seem to contradict God's promises. Ultimately, Jeremiah's experience teaches us that God's patience and understanding far exceed our human frailty, and that even in our darkest moments, He remains engaged, calling us back to trust and revealing His steadfastness beyond our limited perception.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel "perpetual pain" or "incurable wounds" that seem to defy healing?**
* **Have you ever felt, like Jeremiah, that God has been "as a liar" or "as waters that fail" in your experience? How did you respond to those feelings?**
* **What does Jeremiah's bold lament teach us about the nature of an authentic relationship with God?**
* **How can we reconcile the reality of suffering and unanswered prayer with our belief in God's faithfulness and goodness?**

### FAQ
**Is it okay for believers to question God's faithfulness or character, as Jeremiah does here?**

Answer: Yes, Jeremiah 15:18 powerfully demonstrates that it is not only permissible but can be a vital part of a genuine relationship with God to express deep pain, confusion, and even direct questions or accusations. The Bible, particularly the Psalms (e.g., [Psalm 22:1](/psalms/22-1 "Psalm 22:1 - My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?")), Job, and Jeremiah's own laments, is replete with examples of faithful individuals wrestling honestly with God amidst suffering. This is not a sign of unbelief, but often an expression of profound faith that trusts God is real enough and loving enough to hear and respond to our deepest anguish, even when it challenges our understanding of His ways. God does not rebuke Jeremiah for his honesty in [Jeremiah 15:18](/jeremiah/15-18 "Jeremiah's Lament"), but rather engages with him and calls him to a deeper walk in [Jeremiah 15:19](/jeremiah/15-19 "God's Response to Jeremiah").

**What is the significance of the "waters that fail" metaphor?**

Answer: The metaphor of "waters that fail" (Hebrew: *mayim lo ne'emanim*, "unfaithful waters") is incredibly potent, especially in the arid climate of the ancient Near East. It refers to a deceptive spring or a mirage in the desert that promises life-giving water but vanishes or proves undrinkable upon approach. For Jeremiah, who felt abandoned and unsupported in his difficult ministry, this imagery conveyed his sense that God, who should be the ultimate reliable source of comfort, strength, and deliverance, had become untrustworthy and deceptive. It speaks to the profound disappointment and betrayal Jeremiah felt, as if his very life source was proving to be a cruel illusion, leaving him parched and desperate. This metaphor highlights the depth of his perceived abandonment and the crisis of trust he was experiencing.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah's agonizing cry in [Jeremiah 15:18](/jeremiah/15-18 "Jeremiah's Lament") finds its ultimate echo and fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jeremiah's prophetic suffering, his experience of being a faithful messenger rejected by his own people, and his profound sense of abandonment by God, all foreshadow the unparalleled suffering of the Messiah. On the cross, Jesus, the ultimate Prophet, cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")), bearing the full weight of humanity's sin and experiencing a depth of divine abandonment that Jeremiah could only glimpse. Unlike Jeremiah, who questioned if God would be "as a liar" or "waters that fail," Jesus, though experiencing the ultimate forsakenness, never doubted the Father's faithfulness, submitting perfectly to His will ([Luke 22:42](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane")). Furthermore, while Jeremiah longed for healing and reliable waters, Christ is revealed as the true "Living Water" ([John 4:10-14](/john/4-10 "John 4:10-14 - Jesus Offers Living Water")) who never fails, offering eternal life and spiritual sustenance to all who believe. His wounds, though incurable in their suffering, brought about the ultimate healing for humanity's sin ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - By His Wounds We Are Healed")), and through His resurrection, He demonstrated God's ultimate faithfulness, transforming the perpetual pain of sin and death into the eternal hope of glory ([Romans 6:9-11](/romans/6-9 "Romans 6:9-11 - Raised to New Life in Christ")).

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

Jeremiah 30:15

Why criest thou for thine affliction? thy sorrow [is] incurable for the multitude of thine iniquity: [because] thy sins were increased, I have done these things unto thee.

Job 34:6

Should I lie against my right? my wound [is] incurable without transgression.

Micah 1:9

For her wound [is] incurable; for it is come unto Judah; he is come unto the gate of my people, [even] to Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 1:18

For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land.

Jeremiah 1:19

And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I [am] with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee.

Psalms 6:3

My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long?

Jeremiah 14:3

And their nobles have sent their little ones to the waters: they came to the pits, [and] found no water; they returned with their vessels empty; they were ashamed and confounded, and covered their heads.