Jeremiah 20:16

And let that man be as the cities which the LORD overthrew, and repented not: and let him hear the cry in the morning, and the shouting at noontide;

And let that man {H376} be as the cities {H5892} which the LORD {H3068} overthrew {H2015}, and repented {H5162} not: and let him hear {H8085} the cry {H2201} in the morning {H1242}, and the shouting {H8643} at noontide {H6256}{H6672};

Let that man be like the cities ADONAI overthrew without mercy! Let him hear cries of alarm in the morning and the sound of battle at noon,

May that man be like the cities that the LORD overthrew without compassion. May he hear an outcry in the morning and a battle cry at noon,

And let that man be as the cities which Jehovah overthrew, and repented not: and let him hear a cry in the morning, and shouting at noontime;

Context of Jeremiah 20:16

This verse is part of a deeply personal and agonizing lament from the prophet Jeremiah, often referred to as one of his "confessions" (Jeremiah 20:7-18). Immediately preceding this passage, Jeremiah has been beaten and put in stocks by Pashhur the priest for prophesying God's judgment. In the depths of his despair and frustration over the rejection of his message and the personal suffering it brings, Jeremiah curses the day he was born and wishes profound destruction upon the man who brought the news of his birth to his father. Verse 16 specifies the nature of this curse, drawing on powerful imagery of divine judgment.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Profound Despair and Anguish: Jeremiah's words reveal an extreme level of personal suffering and emotional distress, a stark contrast to the divine call he received (Jeremiah 1:5). His lament highlights the immense burden of being God's prophet in a rebellious age.
  • Irreversible Divine Judgment: The phrase "the cities which the LORD overthrew, and repented not" is a direct reference to Sodom and Gomorrah, which experienced complete and irreversible destruction due to their wickedness. This imagery underscores the finality and severity of the curse Jeremiah pronounces, wishing a fate of utter desolation upon the unnamed man.
  • Constant Terror and Distress: "Let him hear the cry in the morning, and the shouting at noontide" vividly depicts a life filled with continuous alarm, fear, and distress, from dawn till dusk. It paints a picture of unrelenting calamity and lack of peace.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "repented not" (Hebrew: lo' nicham) when referring to God's action towards the destroyed cities, emphasizes the finality of the judgment. It signifies that there was no turning back, no change of mind, and no reversal of the decreed destruction for Sodom and Gomorrah. This highlights the absolute nature of the judgment Jeremiah wishes upon the man.

The "cry" (Hebrew: za'aq) and "shouting" (Hebrew: teru'ah) are strong terms. Za'aq often denotes a cry of distress or an appeal for help, while teru'ah can refer to a battle cry, a shout of alarm, or a tumultuous noise. Together, they paint a picture of relentless, overwhelming dread and chaos.

Practical Application

Jeremiah's raw lament, while extreme, offers insight into the human experience of suffering and despair, even for those faithfully serving God. It reminds us:

  • The Reality of Pain: Even prophets and faithful servants of God can experience profound anguish and wish for an end to their suffering. This verse validates the reality of human pain and desperate emotions.
  • The Severity of Sin and Unbelief: The reference to Sodom and Gomorrah serves as a stark reminder of the ultimate consequences of persistent rebellion and unrepentant sin against God.
  • The Cost of Discipleship: For Jeremiah, speaking God's truth brought him immense personal cost. This can resonate with believers who face opposition or hardship for their faith, echoing Christ's words about taking up one's cross (Matthew 16:24).
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 18:22

    Let a cry be heard from their houses, when thou shalt bring a troop suddenly upon them: for they have digged a pit to take me, and hid snares for my feet.

  • Jeremiah 48:3

    A voice of crying [shall be] from Horonaim, spoiling and great destruction.

  • Jeremiah 48:4

    Moab is destroyed; her little ones have caused a cry to be heard.

  • Deuteronomy 29:23

    [And that] the whole land thereof [is] brimstone, and salt, [and] burning, [that] it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:

  • Hosea 10:14

    Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be spoiled, as Shalman spoiled Betharbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon [her] children.

  • Amos 1:14

    But I will kindle a fire in the wall of Rabbah, and it shall devour the palaces thereof, with shouting in the day of battle, with a tempest in the day of the whirlwind:

  • Genesis 19:24

    ¶ Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;

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