Jeremiah 20:9

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].

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.

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.

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.

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.

Jeremiah 20:9 captures a profound moment in the life of the prophet Jeremiah, often called the "weeping prophet." This verse is part of a series of personal laments or "confessions" where Jeremiah pours out his heart to God, revealing the immense psychological and spiritual toll of his prophetic calling.

Context

This verse follows a particularly traumatic event for Jeremiah. He had just delivered a challenging prophecy in the temple, which led to his arrest, beating, and public humiliation by Pashhur, the chief governor in the house of the Lord (Jeremiah 20:2). Overwhelmed by the constant opposition, ridicule, and suffering for delivering God's unpopular messages to a rebellious Judah, Jeremiah expresses a desire to quit his difficult ministry. His ministry was characterized by foretelling judgment and calling for repentance, messages that were consistently rejected by the people and leaders of his time.

Key Themes

  • The Prophet's Despair and Resolve: Jeremiah reaches a breaking point, vowing, "I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name." This highlights the immense human weariness and emotional exhaustion that can accompany a divine calling, especially when met with relentless persecution and rejection. It reveals the prophet's raw honesty before God.
  • The Irresistible Nature of God's Word: Despite his profound desire to cease prophesying, Jeremiah finds himself unable to. The word of the Lord within him is described as "a burning fire shut up in my bones." This powerful metaphor conveys an internal, divine compulsion that is impossible to suppress. It's not merely an intellectual conviction but a deep, physical, emotional, and spiritual urgency that demands expression.
  • Divine Compulsion vs. Human Weakness: The verse vividly portrays the tension between human frailty and divine imperative. Jeremiah's human will yearns for rest from suffering, but God's word within him is too potent to be contained. This illustrates that a true prophetic calling is not self-initiated but divinely imposed, an overwhelming burden that must be discharged, much like Amos declared, "The Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?"

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "burning fire shut up in my bones" (Hebrew: אֵשׁ בֹּעֶרֶת עָצוּר בְּעַצְמֹתָיו - esh bo'eret atzur be'atzmotav) is highly evocative. The word atzur (עָצוּר) implies "shut up," "restrained," or "imprisoned." This emphasizes the intense pressure Jeremiah felt, as if the word was confined within him, causing internal agony and seeking to break free. The imagery of fire is commonly associated with God's word in scripture, signifying its power, purifying nature, and its inherent force against sin and falsehood (Jeremiah 23:29).

Practical Application

Jeremiah 20:9 offers profound insights for believers today:

  • Authenticity in Ministry: It reminds us that genuine service to God can involve struggle, doubt, and even persecution. It's permissible to feel weary or discouraged, but God's call, if truly from Him, will provide the inner strength and divine compulsion to persevere.
  • The Power of God's Word: The verse underscores the living, active, and transformative power of God's word. When we truly internalize it and allow it to dwell richly within us, it can become an undeniable force in our lives, compelling us to speak truth, even when it's difficult, unpopular, or puts us at risk.
  • Uncontainable Truth: For those who feel a divine calling to share the Gospel or stand for biblical truth, this verse resonates deeply. It illustrates that God's message is not something to be merely considered or debated, but an urgent, life-altering truth that cannot be silenced or ignored. It encourages us to be faithful to the divine impulse within, even when it means facing opposition or personal cost.
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.

  • 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.

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