Jeremiah 20:18

KJV

Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?

KJV (with Strong's)

Wherefore came I forth {H3318} out of the womb {H7358} to see {H7200} labour {H5999} and sorrow {H3015}, that my days {H3117} should be consumed {H3615} with shame {H1322}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Why did I have to emerge from the womb, just to see toil and sorrow, and end my days in shame?

Berean Standard Bible

Why did I come out of the womb to see only trouble and sorrow, and to end my days in shame?

American Standard Version

Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labor and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 20:18 captures a moment of profound despair from the prophet Jeremiah, often known as the "weeping prophet." In this raw lament, he questions the very purpose of his birth, expressing deep regret at having come into existence only to endure relentless "labour and sorrow" and to have his days perpetually "consumed with shame." This verse serves as a poignant cry from a faithful servant overwhelmed by the immense personal cost and public humiliation associated with his unwavering commitment to God's prophetic call.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 20:18 concludes a deeply personal and intense lament (Jeremiah 20:7-18), often referred to as one of Jeremiah's "confessions." This section immediately follows the prophet's public humiliation and imprisonment by Pashhur, a chief priest and temple official, who had him beaten and put in stocks for prophesying Jerusalem's doom ([Jeremiah 20:1-3](/jeremiah/20-1 "Jeremiah 20:1-3 - Pashhur's Persecution of Jeremiah")). The preceding verses reveal Jeremiah's internal struggle: his desire to cease speaking God's word due to constant mockery and persecution, yet his inability to do so because the word was like "a burning fire shut up in my bones" ([Jeremiah 20:9](/jeremiah/20-9 "Jeremiah 20:9 - The Irresistible Word of God")). His despair escalates from cursing his persecutors to cursing the day of his own birth, culminating in this verse, which articulates a wish for non-existence rather than enduring such a burdensome life.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah prophesied during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of several kings, from Josiah to Zedekiah, leading up to the Babylonian exile. His ministry was characterized by delivering unpopular messages of judgment and impending destruction to a people largely resistant to repentance. This era was marked by political instability, religious apostasy, and social injustice, all of which Jeremiah boldly confronted. Prophets in ancient Israel often faced opposition, but Jeremiah's experience was particularly harsh, enduring rejection not only from the populace but also from priests, false prophets, and even his own family ([Jeremiah 11:18-23](/jeremiah/11-18 "Jeremiah 11:18-23 - Plot Against Jeremiah")). The "shame" he speaks of was likely public disgrace and ridicule, a severe form of suffering in a collectivistic society where honor was paramount.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Profound Despair and Lament**, showcasing the prophet's raw honesty before God about his suffering. This deep personal anguish is a recurring motif, highlighting the biblical allowance for expressing even the most extreme emotional pain ([Jeremiah 15:10](/jeremiah/15-10 "Jeremiah 15:10 - Jeremiah's Despair")). Secondly, it vividly illustrates **The Cost of Prophetic Ministry**, revealing the immense personal sacrifice and suffering involved in delivering an unpopular divine message to a rebellious people. Jeremiah's life was not one of honor but of constant opposition, ridicule, and physical hardship, a heavy burden for God's messenger ([Jeremiah 1:17-19](/jeremiah/1-17 "Jeremiah 1:17-19 - God's Promise of Protection to Jeremiah")). Finally, the verse speaks to the theme of **Shame and Rejection**, where the prophet feels disgraced and humiliated, not due to personal sin, but because of the widespread rejection of his message and the mockery he endured for being God's faithful servant. This pervasive sense of public dishonor consumed his daily life, as seen throughout the prophetic book.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **came forth (Hebrew, _yâtsâʼ'_):** From H3318, a primitive root meaning "to go (causatively, bring) out." In this context, it refers to Jeremiah's birth, his emergence from the womb into existence. His lament questions the very act of his coming forth, indicating a wish that he had never been born to experience the life he was living.
* **labour (Hebrew, _ʻâmâl'_):** From H5999, signifying "toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, whether of body or mind." It encompasses grievance, iniquity, mischief, pain, and trouble. Jeremiah uses this word to describe the burdensome and painful effort of his life and ministry, characterized by constant struggle and affliction.
* **sorrow (Hebrew, _yâgôwn'_):** From H3015, meaning "affliction; grief, sorrow." This term denotes deep emotional pain and distress. Paired with "labour," it emphasizes the dual nature of Jeremiah's suffering—both physical/situational hardship and profound emotional anguish.
* **shame (Hebrew, _bôsheth'_):** From H1322, meaning "shame (the feeling and the condition, as well as its cause)." It implies confusion, disgrace, or being put to shame. For Jeremiah, this was not merely an internal feeling but a public condition, a consequence of being mocked and rejected for his prophetic message, leading to a life perceived as consumed by dishonor.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wherefore came I forth out of the womb":** This opening clause is a rhetorical question expressing profound regret at his own birth. It implies a wish for non-existence, a desperate cry against the very beginning of his life. This is the ultimate expression of despair, questioning divine providence in bringing him into a world of such suffering.
* **"to see labour and sorrow":** This phrase specifies the reason for his lamentable existence. "To see" (Hebrew, _râʼâh'_, H7200) here means to experience or encounter. The "labour" (_ʻâmâl'_, H5999) refers to the arduous toil, trouble, and hardship of his prophetic ministry and personal life, while "sorrow" (_yâgôwn'_, H3015) denotes the deep grief, affliction, and emotional pain that accompanied it. Together, they paint a picture of a life dominated by hardship and anguish.
* **"that my days should be consumed with shame?":** This final clause articulates the pervasive and consuming nature of his suffering. The word "consumed" (Hebrew, _kâlâh'_, H3615) means to end, finish, or perish, suggesting that his entire life, every "day" (_yôwm'_, H3117), was being utterly worn away and brought to an end by the constant public disgrace and humiliation ("shame," _bôsheth'_, H1322) he endured as God's messenger. It indicates that shame was not an occasional event but the defining characteristic of his existence.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 20:18 employs several powerful literary devices to convey the prophet's intense despair. The most prominent is **Rhetorical Question**, "Wherefore came I forth out of the womb...?", which is not seeking an answer but rather expressing a deep, agonizing lament and a wish for non-existence. This question underscores the depth of his suffering and his sense of hopelessness. **Hyperbole** is also evident in the statement that his "days should be consumed with shame," suggesting an overwhelming and all-encompassing experience of disgrace that permeates every moment of his life, even if not literally every second. The pairing of "labour and sorrow" creates a **Merism**, a figure of speech in which two contrasting parts represent a whole, signifying the totality of his suffering, encompassing both physical toil and emotional anguish. Finally, the verse is a profound example of **Lament**, a common biblical genre that allows for raw, honest expression of pain and complaint to God, validating human suffering within a faith context.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 20:18 profoundly illustrates the reality of suffering for the righteous and the emotional toll of faithful obedience, even for God's chosen messengers. Theologically, it affirms that genuine faith does not preclude deep despair or honest lament. Jeremiah's cry is not a rejection of God, but a desperate plea from within his relationship with God, demonstrating that God is big enough to handle our darkest emotions. This verse challenges any simplistic theology that equates faithfulness with an absence of pain, instead revealing the profound cost of discipleship and the emotional vulnerability inherent in serving a holy God in a fallen world. It highlights God's compassionate attentiveness to the cries of His suffering servants, even when those cries express a wish for non-existence.

* [Job 3:1-3](/job/3-1 "Job 3:1-3 - Job Curses His Birth") - Job's initial lament, where he too curses the day of his birth, echoing Jeremiah's profound despair and wish for non-existence in the face of overwhelming suffering.
* [Psalm 88:1-18](/psalms/88 "Psalm 88 - A Psalm of Utter Despair") - A psalm of lament that expresses unmitigated sorrow and a sense of abandonment by God, similar to Jeremiah's raw honesty about his anguish.
* [Lamentations 3:1-18](/lamentations/3-1 "Lamentations 3:1-18 - Jeremiah's Personal Suffering") - While traditionally attributed to Jeremiah, this passage further explores the depths of suffering and sorrow, reflecting the prophet's personal experience of affliction and the desolation of Judah.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 20:18 offers a profound validation for human despair and the right to express it honestly before God. In a world that often pressures individuals to present a façade of strength or perpetual positivity, Jeremiah's raw lament reminds us that even the most faithful servants of God can experience overwhelming feelings of sorrow, shame, and regret. This verse encourages us to bring our authentic selves, including our deepest pains and questions, before a compassionate God who hears and understands. It underscores that following God's call, especially in challenging and hostile environments, can involve significant personal cost and suffering, reminding us that true discipleship is not always comfortable or outwardly glorious. For those who feel burdened by their calling, misunderstood in their service, or consumed by circumstances beyond their control, Jeremiah's experience offers solidarity and a powerful reminder that their honest cries are heard by a God who is intimately acquainted with grief. Our struggles, when brought before God, can become pathways to deeper trust and reliance on His enduring presence and strength, even when answers are not immediately apparent.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jeremiah's raw honesty about his despair challenge or affirm your own understanding of lament and prayer?**
* **In what ways might following God's call in your life involve "labour and sorrow" or even "shame," and how do you navigate these challenges?**
* **What comfort or challenge do you find in knowing that even a prophet like Jeremiah experienced such profound emotional pain?**

### FAQ
**Does Jeremiah's lament mean he lost his faith in God?**

Answer: No, Jeremiah's lament in 20:18 does not indicate a loss of faith but rather a profound expression of human anguish and despair within the context of his faithful service to God. Biblical lament, as seen throughout the Psalms and prophetic books, is a legitimate and often faith-strengthening way of engaging with God in times of intense suffering. Jeremiah's willingness to voice such raw feelings to God demonstrates a deep, albeit struggling, relationship of trust. He continues to deliver God's word despite his pain, indicating that his faith, though tested, remained intact. His lament is a testament to the fact that faith does not exempt one from suffering, nor does it require a stoic silence in the face of it; instead, it provides a framework for honest engagement with God through the pain, as seen in his continued prophetic ministry after this confession ([Jeremiah 21](/jeremiah/21 "Jeremiah 21 - Jeremiah's Prophecy to King Zedekiah")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah's profound lament in 20:18, expressing a wish for non-existence due to overwhelming "labour and sorrow" and "shame," finds its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Jeremiah suffered for delivering God's word to a rebellious people, Jesus, the very Word made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), willingly embraced suffering, labor, and sorrow, not as a prophet, but as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Jesus, too, was "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - The Suffering Servant")), enduring rejection, mockery, and profound shame—culminating in the public humiliation of the cross ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus Endured the Cross")). Unlike Jeremiah, who wished he had never been born, Jesus "came forth out of the womb" for the express purpose of enduring this suffering, transforming the curse of shame into the blessing of salvation. His cry on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")), echoes Jeremiah's despair, yet it was a cry of vicarious suffering, bearing the shame and sorrow of humanity. Through His suffering and death, Jesus redeems our "labour and sorrow" and covers our "shame," offering eternal life and glory instead of consumption by despair ([Romans 5:5](/romans/5-5 "Romans 5:5 - Hope Does Not Put Us to Shame")). Thus, Jeremiah's lament, while deeply human, points forward to the divine suffering of Christ, who truly consumed shame so that we might be consumed with His glory.

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

Job 3:20

¶ Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter [in] soul;

Job 14:1

¶ Man [that is] born of a woman [is] of few days, and full of trouble.

Lamentations 3:1

¶ I [am] the man [that] hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath.

1 Peter 4:14

If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy [are ye]; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

1 Peter 4:16

Yet if [any man suffer] as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

1 Corinthians 4:9

For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.

1 Corinthians 4:13

Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, [and are] the offscouring of all things unto this day.