Jeremiah 20:9

KJV

Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But [his word] was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not [stay].

KJV (with Strong's)

Then I said {H559}, I will not make mention {H2142} of him, nor speak {H1696} any more in his name {H8034}. But his word was in mine heart {H3820} as a burning {H1197} fire {H784} shut up {H6113} in my bones {H6106}, and I was weary {H3811} with forbearing {H3557}, and I could {H3201} not stay.

Complete Jewish Bible

But if I say, "I won't think about him, I won't speak in his name any more," then it seems as though a fire is burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones; I wear myself out trying to hold it in, but I just can't do it.

Berean Standard Bible

If I say, “I will not mention Him or speak any more in His name,” His message becomes a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones, and I become weary of holding it in, and I cannot prevail.

American Standard Version

And if I say, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name, then there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with forbearing, and I cannot contain.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 20:9 captures a profound moment of internal conflict for the prophet Jeremiah, revealing his deep human weariness and despair in the face of relentless persecution, juxtaposed with the overwhelming, divine compulsion of God's word within him. After enduring public humiliation and physical abuse for his prophetic declarations, Jeremiah expresses a desperate desire to abandon his calling and cease speaking in the Lord's name. Yet, he finds himself utterly unable to suppress the divine message, describing it as an intense, uncontainable "burning fire shut up in my bones," illustrating the irresistible power of God's truth to compel its messenger despite personal suffering and the desire for silence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a central component of Jeremiah's "Confessions," a series of deeply personal laments (found in passages like [Jeremiah 11:18-12:6](/jeremiah/11-18-12-6 "Jeremiah's First Lament"), [Jeremiah 15:10-21](/jeremiah/15-10-21 "Jeremiah's Second Lament"), [Jeremiah 17:14-18](/jeremiah/17-14-18 "Jeremiah's Third Lament"), [Jeremiah 18:18-23](/jeremiah/18-18-23 "Jeremiah's Fourth Lament"), and [Jeremiah 20:7-18](/jeremiah/20-7-18 "Jeremiah's Fifth Lament")) where the prophet pours out his soul to God, grappling with the immense psychological and spiritual toll of his prophetic office. Specifically, [Jeremiah 20:9](/jeremiah/20-9 "Jeremiah 20:9 - The Irresistible Word") follows a harrowing incident detailed in [Jeremiah 20:1-6](/jeremiah/20-1-6 "Pashhur's Persecution of Jeremiah"), where Pashhur, the chief governor of the temple, had Jeremiah beaten and put in stocks after he prophesied judgment. This public humiliation and physical abuse pushed Jeremiah to a breaking point, leading to his initial lament in [Jeremiah 20:7-8](/jeremiah/20-7-8 "Jeremiah's Complaint to God"), where he accuses God of deceiving him and laments becoming an object of mockery. Verse 9 then presents his attempted resolution to quit, and the divine counter-force that powerfully prevents him from doing so.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah prophesied during a tumultuous period of intense political and spiritual decline in Judah, spanning the reigns of the last five kings before the Babylonian exile (approximately 627-586 BC). His ministry was characterized by foretelling impending judgment from Babylon due to Judah's widespread idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. This message was profoundly unpopular, clashing sharply with the false prophets who promised peace and prosperity. The people, their leaders, and even the priests consistently rejected Jeremiah's words, often resorting to threats, imprisonment, and physical violence, as exemplified by Pashhur's actions. In a shame-honor culture, the public ridicule and physical abuse Jeremiah endured were deeply humiliating, making his desire to cease prophesying understandable. His personal suffering was not merely an isolated event but a stark reflection of the nation's stubborn resistance to divine truth, setting the stage for the eventual destruction of Jerusalem and its sacred temple.
* **Key Themes:** [Jeremiah 20:9](/jeremiah/20-9 "Jeremiah 20:9 - The Irresistible Word") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes evident throughout the book of Jeremiah and broader prophetic literature. It vividly illustrates the **loneliness and suffering of the prophet** called to deliver an unpopular message, a recurring motif throughout Jeremiah's ministry, as seen in his lament in [Jeremiah 15:10](/jeremiah/15-10 "Jeremiah 15:10 - Jeremiah's Isolation"). It also highlights the **irresistible nature of God's word** (the *dabar Yahweh*), demonstrating that divine truth is not merely an intellectual concept but a living, active force that compels its messenger, echoing the sentiment in [Amos 3:8](/amos/3-8 "Amos 3:8 - The Lion Has Roared") where Amos asks, "The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?" Furthermore, the verse underscores the profound **tension between human weakness and divine power**, portraying Jeremiah's human desire to escape suffering versus the divine imperative to speak. This intense internal conflict reveals the authenticity of Jeremiah's calling, distinguishing him from self-appointed prophets, and emphasizes that true prophecy is rooted in divine compulsion rather than human ambition or convenience.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **speak (Hebrew, _dâbar'_):** H1696, a primitive root meaning "to arrange," but figuratively used for "to speak." It encompasses a wide range of verbal actions, from commanding and declaring to communing and teaching. In this context, Jeremiah's vow "nor speak any more in his name" signifies a complete cessation of his prophetic utterance, a refusal to articulate God's message. The word implies a deliberate, intentional act of communication, which Jeremiah attempts to withhold, highlighting the profound struggle between his will and God's.
* **burning (Hebrew, _bâʻar'_):** H1197, a primitive root meaning "to kindle, i.e. consume (by fire or by eating)." It describes something intensely hot, actively combusting, or fiercely consuming. When applied to God's word, as here, it conveys a sense of powerful, uncontrollable energy that cannot be contained. It's not a smoldering ember but a vibrant, active flame that demands release, suggesting both the purifying intensity of divine truth and the destructive power of judgment that Jeremiah was compelled to deliver.
* **shut up (Hebrew, _ʻâtsâr'_):** H6113, a primitive root meaning "to inclose; by analogy, to hold back." It can also imply to "detain," "restrain," or "imprison." This word vividly portrays the internal pressure Jeremiah felt. The word of God, like a prisoner, was confined within him, causing immense distress and a desperate need for release. This highlights the paradox: Jeremiah attempts to shut up God's word by refusing to speak, but it is the word itself that is "shut up" within him, causing unbearable internal pressure that ultimately breaks his resolve.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name."**: This clause reveals Jeremiah's desperate resolution, born out of profound despair and exhaustion. Having faced relentless persecution, ridicule, and physical abuse, he vows to abandon his prophetic calling. To "not make mention of him" and "not speak any more in his name" signifies a complete cessation of his public ministry and an attempt to disengage from the divine mandate that has brought him so much suffering. It is a moment of profound human weakness, a desire for relief from an unbearable burden, and a desperate attempt to regain personal peace.
* **"But [his word] was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones,"**: This is the pivotal turning point, introducing the divine counter-force to Jeremiah's human resolve. The "word" (Hebrew: *dabar*) of God is personified as an internal, irresistible power. The metaphor of "a burning fire" conveys its intense, consuming, and uncontainable nature, suggesting a divine energy that cannot be extinguished. This fire is not merely in his mind or emotions but "shut up in my bones," suggesting a deep, visceral, and physical sensation. It implies that the divine message has permeated his very being, becoming an intrinsic part of his physical and spiritual constitution, causing him agony when suppressed.
* **"and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not [stay]."**: This final clause describes the inevitable outcome of the internal struggle. "Weary with forbearing" (or "holding it in") indicates the extreme exhaustion and pain caused by attempting to suppress the divine word. The effort to contain this internal fire was more agonizing than the external persecution he faced. "And I could not stay" (or "could not hold it in") signifies the ultimate failure of his human will to resist the divine compulsion. The word of God was too powerful to be silenced, forcing its way out despite Jeremiah's desire for quietude and peace, demonstrating the supremacy of God's call over human frailty.

#### Literary Devices
[Jeremiah 20:9](/jeremiah/20-9 "Jeremiah 20:9 - The Irresistible Word") is rich in literary devices that amplify its profound message. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, specifically the powerful image of God's word as "a burning fire shut up in my bones." This metaphor effectively conveys the word's intense, consuming, and uncontainable nature, suggesting both its divine origin and its irresistible force. The fire is not merely an intellectual concept but a visceral, physical sensation, implying that the divine message has permeated Jeremiah's very being. The phrase "shut up in my bones" also employs **Synecdoche**, where "bones" represent the entirety of Jeremiah's physical and spiritual self, emphasizing that the word had become an intrinsic, inescapable part of him. Furthermore, the passage utilizes **Hyperbole** in Jeremiah's declaration, "I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay." While he genuinely felt exhausted, the language exaggerates his inability to suppress the word, underscoring the overwhelming nature of the divine compulsion. This hyperbolic expression highlights the immense tension between human frailty and divine imperative, making the prophet's struggle deeply relatable.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[Jeremiah 20:9](/jeremiah/20-9 "Jeremiah 20:9 - The Irresistible Word") stands as a profound testament to the living and active nature of God's word and the divine imperative of prophetic calling. It reveals that true prophecy is not a matter of human choice or convenience but a sovereign imposition by God, a burden that, once internalized, becomes impossible to suppress. This internal fire signifies the word's inherent power—its capacity to convict, to purify, and to compel, even when its message is met with hostility and suffering. The prophet's struggle underscores the immense cost of faithfulness and the divine strength that enables perseverance despite overwhelming opposition. It teaches us that God's truth, when truly embraced and deeply rooted, becomes an uncontainable force within the believer, demanding expression and shaping one's very being, ultimately empowering them to fulfill their divine purpose.

* [Psalm 119:105](/psalms/119-105 "Psalm 119:105 - God's Word as a Lamp")
* [Hebrews 4:12](/hebrews/4-12 "Hebrews 4:12 - The Living and Active Word of God")
* [Acts 4:20](/acts/4-20 "Acts 4:20 - Peter and John Cannot But Speak")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Jeremiah 20:9](/jeremiah/20-9 "Jeremiah 20:9 - The Irresistible Word") offers a raw, honest portrayal of the struggles inherent in serving God, particularly when that service involves delivering unpopular truths or facing significant opposition. It reminds us that even the most devoted servants of God experience moments of profound despair, weariness, and a desperate desire to quit. Jeremiah's lament gives us permission to acknowledge our human frailty and the emotional toll of faithfulness. However, it also provides a powerful counter-narrative: the irresistible, compelling power of God's word. For believers today, this verse challenges us to consider the depth of our internalization of God's truth. Is His word merely an intellectual concept, or has it become a "burning fire shut up in our bones," a living force that compels us to speak, to act, and to live in accordance with His will, even when it is difficult or costly? It encourages us to lean into the divine strength that enables perseverance, recognizing that true spiritual vitality often emerges from the crucible of internal struggle and external pressure, ultimately empowering us to be faithful witnesses to His truth in a world that often resists it.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Have you ever felt a "burning fire" or an irresistible compulsion to speak or act on God's behalf, even when it was difficult or unpopular?**
* **What are the "bones" in your life—the deepest parts of your being—where God's word needs to take root and become an uncontainable force?**
* **How do you reconcile your human weariness or desire to quit with the divine call to perseverance in your faith journey?**
* **In what ways might suppressing God's truth, either in your own life or in your witness to others, lead to internal "weariness" or distress?**

### FAQ
**What does "fire shut up in my bones" mean metaphorically?**

Answer: The metaphor of "fire shut up in my bones" in [Jeremiah 20:9](/jeremiah/20-9 "Jeremiah 20:9 - The Irresistible Word") is a powerful description of the overwhelming, internal compulsion Jeremiah felt to proclaim God's word. The "fire" represents the intense, consuming, and uncontainable nature of God's message, akin to the purifying and powerful presence of God Himself (as seen in [Hebrews 12:29](/hebrews/12-29 "Hebrews 12:29 - God is a Consuming Fire")). Being "shut up in my bones" signifies that this divine message had permeated Jeremiah's very core—his physical, emotional, and spiritual being. It was not merely an intellectual conviction but a visceral, agonizing pressure that caused him immense distress when he tried to suppress it. It means the word was so deeply ingrained and active within him that it became an unbearable burden to withhold, forcing him to speak despite his personal desire to quit.

**Why did Jeremiah want to stop prophesying, and what prevented him?**

Answer: Jeremiah wanted to stop prophesying because his ministry brought him immense suffering, ridicule, and persecution. He faced constant opposition, public humiliation (as described in [Jeremiah 20:1-2](/jeremiah/20-1-2 "Jeremiah's Persecution by Pashhur")), and the emotional toll of delivering a message of impending judgment that was consistently rejected by his own people. He felt isolated and weary, leading him to lament that he was "a derision daily; every one mocketh me" ([Jeremiah 20:7](/jeremiah/20-7 "Jeremiah 20:7 - Jeremiah's Complaint")). What prevented him from quitting was the overwhelming, internal power of God's word. As he states in [Jeremiah 20:9](/jeremiah/20-9 "Jeremiah 20:9 - The Irresistible Word"), the word was "as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay." This divine compulsion was stronger than his human desire for relief, demonstrating that his prophetic calling was not a choice he could simply abandon, but a divine imperative that permeated his very being.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah's agonizing struggle with the irresistible Word of God finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the Living Word. While Jeremiah was a prophet compelled by the Spirit to speak God's message, Jesus *is* the Word made flesh, the perfect embodiment of God's truth and revelation ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Unlike Jeremiah, who wrestled with the burden of a message, Jesus perfectly aligned His will with the Father's, declaring, "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work" ([John 4:34](/john/4-34 "John 4:34 - Jesus' Mission")). Yet, even Christ experienced profound human weariness and agony in fulfilling His mission, particularly in Gethsemane, where He prayed for the cup of suffering to pass, but ultimately submitted to the Father's perfect will ([Luke 22:42](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")). The "fire" that burned in Jeremiah's bones foreshadows the consuming passion of Christ for God's glory and the salvation of humanity, a passion so intense that it led Him to the cross. Furthermore, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, the "fire" of God's word now empowers believers, making us witnesses to Christ. Just as Jeremiah could not contain the word, so too are believers, empowered by the Spirit, compelled to proclaim the good news of Jesus, finding that His truth, once internalized, cannot be silenced, but becomes a powerful, transformative force in their lives and through their witness to a lost world ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power to Witness")).

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

Psalms 39:3

My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: [then] spake I with my tongue,

Job 32:18

For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.

Job 32:20

I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.

Acts 4:20

For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

1 Corinthians 9:16

For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

1 Corinthians 9:17

For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation [of the gospel] is committed unto me.

Ezekiel 3:14

So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the LORD was strong upon me.