Jeremiah 20:8

For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily.

For since {H1767} I spake {H1696}, I cried out {H2199}, I cried {H7121} violence {H2555} and spoil {H7701}; because the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} was made a reproach {H2781} unto me, and a derision {H7047}, daily {H3117}.

Whenever I speak, I have to cry out; I shout, "Violence!" and "Destruction!" Thus the word of ADONAI becomes for me the cause of reproach and derision all day!

For whenever I speak, I cry out; I proclaim violence and destruction. For the word of the LORD has become to me a reproach and derision all day long.

For as often as I speak, I cry out; I cry, Violence and destruction! because the word of Jehovah is made a reproach unto me, and a derision, all the day.

Commentary

Jeremiah 20:8 captures the profound anguish and personal cost experienced by the prophet Jeremiah as he faithfully delivered God's challenging message to a rebellious nation. In this verse, Jeremiah laments that his prophetic pronouncements of impending judgment—specifically "violence and spoil"—had made him an object of constant "reproach" and "derision" in the eyes of his own people.

Context

This verse is part of Jeremiah's deeply personal "confessions" or laments (Jeremiah 11-20), where he pours out his heart to God about the immense suffering his prophetic calling entailed. Immediately preceding this lament, Jeremiah had been beaten and put in stocks by Pashur, the chief officer of the temple, for prophesying against Jerusalem (Jeremiah 20:1-3). His public humiliation amplified the private sorrow of being scorned daily. Jeremiah was called by God before birth (Jeremiah 1:5) to deliver a message of repentance and judgment to Judah, a message that was largely ignored or met with hostility as the nation spiraled towards exile under Babylonian threat.

Key Themes

  • The Burden of Prophecy: Jeremiah's experience highlights the heavy burden of being a prophet, especially one tasked with delivering unpopular truths. His cry of "violence and spoil" was not his own desire, but the very word of the LORD he was compelled to speak, even when it brought him immense personal pain (Jeremiah 20:9).
  • Persecution for Righteousness: Jeremiah's daily reproach and derision illustrate the common experience of those who stand for God's truth in a hostile world. His suffering foreshadows the persecution faced by later prophets and even by Jesus Christ himself, who was also mocked and rejected by His own people. This theme resonates with the New Testament teaching on blessings for those persecuted for righteousness' sake.
  • The Word of God as Reproach: It's striking that the "word of the LORD" itself became the source of Jeremiah's humiliation. This signifies the people's deep spiritual rebellion; they did not merely reject Jeremiah, but the very message of God delivered through him. Their derision of the prophet was, in essence, derision of God's authority and wisdom.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "reproach" is cherpah (חֶרְפָּה), which signifies disgrace, shame, or insult. It speaks to the public humiliation Jeremiah endured. "Derision" comes from the root la'ag (לָעַג), meaning to mock, scorn, or stammer. This suggests not just verbal abuse, but also gestures of contempt and ridicule. Jeremiah's daily experience was one of being openly shamed and laughed at, simply for fulfilling his divine mandate.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 20:8 offers a powerful lesson for believers today. It reminds us that faithfulness to God and His word may not always bring popularity or ease. Speaking truth, especially uncomfortable truth, can lead to opposition, mockery, or even persecution. However, like Jeremiah, we are called to persist, knowing that the ultimate vindication comes from God. This verse encourages us to find strength in God's presence even when facing scorn, trusting that His word, though it may be a reproach to some, will ultimately accomplish its purpose (Isaiah 55:11).

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 6:10

    To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear [is] uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it.

  • 2 Chronicles 36:16

    But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till [there was] no remedy.

  • Hebrews 11:26

    Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

  • 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.

  • Luke 11:45

    Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also.

  • Jeremiah 28:8

    The prophets that have been before me and before thee of old prophesied both against many countries, and against great kingdoms, of war, and of evil, and of pestilence.

  • Jeremiah 18:16

    To make their land desolate, [and] a perpetual hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished, and wag his head.
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