Jeremiah 4:19

KJV

¶ My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.

KJV (with Strong's)

My bowels {H4578}, my bowels {H4578}! I am pained {H2342}{H3176} at my very {H7023} heart {H3820}; my heart {H3820} maketh a noise {H1993} in me; I cannot hold my peace {H2790}, because thou hast heard {H8085}, O my soul {H5315}, the sound {H6963} of the trumpet {H7782}, the alarm {H8643} of war {H4421}.

Complete Jewish Bible

My guts! My guts! I'm writhing in pain! My heart! It beats wildly - I can't stay still! - because I have heard the shofar sound; it's the call to war.

Berean Standard Bible

My anguish, my anguish! I writhe in pain! Oh, the pain in my chest! My heart pounds within me; I cannot be silent. For I have heard the sound of the horn, the alarm of battle.

American Standard Version

My anguish, my anguish! I am pained at my very heart; my heart is disquieted in me; I cannot hold my peace; because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 4:19 presents a deeply personal and agonizing lament from the prophet Jeremiah, a visceral outpouring of pain and distress over the imminent and unavoidable destruction facing Judah. His repeated cries, emanating from the very core of his being, are a direct, overwhelming response to the terrifying sound of the trumpet and the alarm of war—unmistakable signals of the impending invasion and the unfolding of divine judgment. This verse powerfully portrays the prophet's profound identification with his people's suffering, rendering him utterly unable to remain silent in the face of the catastrophic future he so clearly foresees.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 4 initiates with a fervent call for Judah and Jerusalem to repent and return to the Lord, offering the hope of restoration if they heed God's voice. However, the chapter swiftly transitions from hopeful appeal to a stark, escalating warning and lament. Verses 5-18 vividly describe the relentless advance of a formidable enemy from the north, depicted with terrifying imagery as a whirlwind and a devouring lion, bringing desolation and divine judgment upon the land. [Jeremiah 4:19](/jeremiah/4-19 "Jeremiah's Anguish Over Impending Judgment") marks a critical turning point where the prophet's external observation of the unfolding disaster becomes an intensely internal, agonizing experience. It is a profound personal interjection, shifting from prophetic declaration to a raw, emotional outcry, which sets the tone for subsequent laments found throughout the book, such as [Jeremiah 8:18-22](/jeremiah/8-18-22 "Jeremiah's Despair Over Zion's Wounds") and [Jeremiah 9:1](/jeremiah/9-1 "Jeremiah's Lament: A Fountain of Tears for His People"). As God's faithful messenger, Jeremiah not only delivers the message of impending judgment but also profoundly feels its crushing weight, embodying the sorrow of God Himself.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah's prophetic ministry spanned the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, a tumultuous period characterized by significant geopolitical shifts in the ancient Near East. The once-dominant Assyrian Empire was in decline, while the rising Babylonian Empire, under Nebuchadnezzar, was rapidly asserting its supremacy. Jeremiah's consistent prophecies warned Judah of an impending invasion from the north, which would ultimately be executed by the Babylonians, leading to the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of its people. In ancient Israelite society, the "sound of the trumpet" (Hebrew: *shofar*) was a multifaceted instrument used for various purposes, ranging from religious convocations and festivals (e.g., [Leviticus 23:24](/leviticus/23-24 "The Feast of Trumpets")) to signaling warnings, assembling troops, and initiating battle (e.g., [Judges 7:18](/judges/7-18 "Gideon's Trumpets and Jars")). In the context of war, the trumpet's blast served as an unmistakable "alarm," signifying the immediate presence of danger, the mobilization of forces, or the commencement of hostilities. For Jeremiah, this sound, whether a literal auditory experience or a prophetic vision, represented the terrifying and unavoidable reality of God's judgment being unleashed upon his beloved homeland.
* **Key Themes:** [Jeremiah 4:19](/jeremiah/4-19 "Jeremiah's Lament Over Impending Judgment") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes that permeate the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it profoundly illustrates **Prophetic Anguish and Empathy**, revealing the prophet's deep, personal suffering and his profound identification with the tragic fate of his people, a characteristic that earned him the title of the "weeping prophet" (e.g., [Jeremiah 9:1](/jeremiah/9-1 "Jeremiah's Lament for His People")). This human anguish mirrors, in a profound way, God's own sorrow over His people's stubbornness and their impending judgment, a divine pathos beautifully expressed in passages like [Hosea 11:8](/hosea/11-8 "God's Heart Torn for Ephraim"). Secondly, the verse starkly underscores the theme of **Imminent and Unavoidable Judgment**. The trumpet's blast is an undeniable harbinger of the coming war and divine retribution, a direct consequence of Judah's persistent idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness, a theme introduced early in the book (e.g., [Jeremiah 2:13](/jeremiah/2-13 "Judah's Double Evil: Forsaking God and Hewing Broken Cisterns")). Lastly, Jeremiah's utter inability to "hold his peace" signifies the **Overwhelming Reality of Consequence**. The divine warnings have been sounded repeatedly, and the catastrophe is no longer a distant threat but an immediate, inescapable reality that demands an agonizing, uncontainable response.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bowels (Hebrew, _mêʻeh'_):** This term, often translated as "bowels" or "intestines," refers to the inner organs. In ancient Hebrew thought, the *mêʻeh* was considered the seat of the deepest, most profound emotions, particularly intense compassion, pity, and overwhelming grief. Jeremiah's repeated cry, "My bowels, my bowels!" signifies an agony that transcends mere mental or emotional distress; it is a physical, gut-wrenching pain gripping his very core. This emphasizes the profound, visceral suffering he experienced, indicating that the impending disaster affected him at the deepest level of his being, eliciting sympathy.
* **Pained (Hebrew, _chûwl'_):** This primitive root primarily conveys the sense of twisting or writhing, particularly in the context of childbirth or intense physical pain. When Jeremiah declares, "I am pained," he employs imagery of extreme, agonizing distress, akin to the throes of labor. This highlights the severity and intensity of his emotional and psychological torment, suggesting an uncontrollable, convulsive reaction to the dreadful news he has received. The pain is not superficial but deeply incapacitating, causing him to be greatly troubled and grieved.
* **Cannot hold my peace (Hebrew, _chârash'_):** This verb primarily means "to scratch," "to engrave," and by extension "to be silent," "to hold one's peace," or "to be deaf." Jeremiah's declaration that he "cannot hold my peace" is an emphatic statement of his utter inability to remain silent, composed, or still in the face of the overwhelming horror. The sound of the trumpet and the alarm of war have shattered any possibility of quietude or restraint. His inner turmoil is so great that it demands outward, clamorous expression, a desperate cry that breaks through all attempts at composure or secrecy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"My bowels, my bowels!":** This powerful and repeated exclamation conveys an intense, visceral anguish. The repetition serves to emphasize the depth and overwhelming nature of Jeremiah's internal suffering, indicating that the pain is felt in the deepest, most foundational parts of his being. It is a cry of profound physical and emotional agony, suggesting a gut-wrenching experience.
* **"I am pained at my very heart;":** This clause further elaborates on the prophet's distress, locating the pain in his "heart" (Hebrew: *lêb*), which in ancient thought represented the totality of one's inner being—intellect, will, and emotion. The phrase "at my very heart" (literally "walls of my heart" or "my inner heart") intensifies the feeling, suggesting that the pain has penetrated to the innermost core of his existence, affecting his mind and feelings profoundly.
* **"my heart maketh a noise in me;":** This vivid imagery describes Jeremiah's heart as being in a state of tumultuous, restless, or violently throbbing commotion. It suggests a physical manifestation of extreme distress, perhaps a pounding, roaring, or clamorous sensation within him, indicative of profound agitation, fear, and internal disquietude that cannot be contained.
* **"I cannot hold my peace,":** This declaration signifies Jeremiah's utter inability to remain silent, calm, or composed. The internal turmoil is so overwhelming that it must find external expression, breaking through any attempt at restraint. It underscores the inescapable and urgent nature of the prophet's emotional burden, highlighting his complete lack of inner stillness.
* **"because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.":** This final clause reveals the direct and terrifying cause of Jeremiah's agony. The "sound of the trumpet" and "alarm of war" are the terrifying signals of the impending invasion and divine judgment. The direct address "O my soul" makes the experience deeply personal and internal, as his own very being, his *nephesh*, has perceived and registered the dreadful reality, forcing this agonizing, uncontainable outcry.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 4:19 is profoundly rich in **Pathos**, masterfully evoking deep emotion and sympathy for the prophet's suffering. The opening **Repetition** of "My bowels, my bowels!" immediately conveys an overwhelming, almost unbearable, anguish, emphasizing the intensity and physical manifestation of his internal torment. This profound distress is further amplified by **Hyperbole**, as the description of his heart making a "noise" and his utter inability to "hold his peace" are exaggerated expressions designed to communicate an extreme level of distress that transcends normal human experience. The phrase "my heart maketh a noise in me" employs **Personification**, attributing an active, clamorous, and disquieted quality to his heart, as if it were a separate entity reacting violently and uncontrollably to the impending doom. Finally, the "sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war" functions as potent **Symbolism** and **Metonymy**, representing not just the literal sounds but the entire terrifying reality of invasion, destruction, and divine judgment that is about to engulf Judah, serving as a direct cause for his profound lament.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 4:19 stands as a poignant testament to the profound burden of the prophetic office and the deep sorrow God experiences over the persistent sin of His people. Jeremiah's anguish is not merely a personal affliction; it is a divinely inspired empathy, reflecting the very heart of God who grieves over the devastating consequences of rebellion, even as He brings forth righteous judgment. The prophet's utter inability to remain silent underscores the inescapable reality of divine justice when warnings are ignored, and repentance is stubbornly rejected. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that sin is not a light matter; it has profound, devastating effects, not only on individuals but on communities and nations. The "alarm of war" is a stark symbol of the breaking of the covenant and the inevitable reckoning that follows prolonged unfaithfulness, demonstrating that God's patience, though vast, is not without limit.

* [Lamentations 1:12](/lamentations/1-12 "Jerusalem's Despair: Is There Any Sorrow Like My Sorrow?")
* [Hosea 11:8](/hosea/11-8 "God's Compassionate Lament for Ephraim")
* [Luke 19:41-44](/luke/19-41-44 "Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem's Impending Judgment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 4:19 invites us into the raw, unvarnished reality of a prophet's burden and the painful, often devastating, consequences of unheeded warnings. For us today, this verse serves as a powerful call to spiritual introspection and responsiveness. It challenges us to consider whether we, like ancient Judah, are complacent in our faith, ignoring the "alarms" God sounds through His Word, the conviction of the Holy Spirit, or the wise counsel of godly individuals. Jeremiah's visceral pain reminds us that sin is not a light matter; it has profound, devastating effects, not only on individuals but on communities and nations. His deep empathy also calls us to cultivate a heart that grieves over the brokenness of the world and the spiritual lostness of humanity, moving us beyond mere observation to compassionate intercession and impactful action. It also reminds those who are called to speak truth, especially difficult truths, of the heavy cost and emotional toll such faithfulness can exact, encouraging perseverance in the face of indifference or hostility.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "alarms" or warnings might God be sounding in my life or in our society today that I am tempted to ignore or silence?**
* **How does Jeremiah's profound anguish challenge my own level of compassion and empathy for those who are suffering, particularly as a result of sin and its consequences?**
* **In what specific ways do I tend to "hold my peace" or remain silent when I should be speaking out or acting in response to spiritual or moral decay around me?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that is more deeply attuned to the gravity of sin and its consequences, both personally and corporately, leading to genuine lament and intercession?**

### FAQ
**What does "My bowels, my bowels!" signify in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "My bowels, my bowels!" (Hebrew: *mêʻeh*) signifies an intense, visceral, and deeply physical expression of anguish. In ancient Hebrew thought, the "bowels" were considered the seat of the deepest emotions, particularly profound compassion, pity, and overwhelming grief. Jeremiah's repetition of this cry emphasizes that the pain he feels is not merely mental or emotional but a gut-wrenching agony that affects him at the very core of his being, much like the physical pain of childbirth or severe illness. It conveys an overwhelming, almost unbearable, internal suffering in response to the impending disaster, demonstrating his profound empathy for his people.

**Why is Jeremiah experiencing such profound pain and inability to remain silent?**

Answer: Jeremiah is experiencing such profound pain and inability to remain silent because he has prophetically "heard" (or seen in vision) "the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war." This is the terrifying signal of the imminent invasion of Judah by a destructive enemy, likely the Babylonians, bringing divine judgment upon his people due to their persistent idolatry and unfaithfulness. As God's chosen messenger, Jeremiah not only delivers the message of judgment but also deeply internalizes and suffers with the consequences that his beloved people are about to face. His anguish is a reflection of God's own sorrow over His people's stubbornness, as seen in passages like [Hosea 11:8](/hosea/11-8 "God's Heart Torn for Ephraim"). The reality of the impending catastrophe is so overwhelming that it shatters any possibility of composure or silence, compelling him to cry out.

**What is the significance of the "sound of the trumpet" and "alarm of war" in this context?**

Answer: In ancient Israel, the trumpet (Hebrew: *shofar*) was used for various purposes, including religious festivals and assemblies. However, its use as an "alarm of war" was particularly significant. It was a clear, unmistakable signal of approaching danger, a call to arms, or the commencement of battle. In [Jeremiah 4:19](/jeremiah/4-19 "Jeremiah's Lament Over Impending Judgment"), this sound symbolizes the immediate and unavoidable reality of divine judgment being unleashed upon Judah. It signifies that the time for repentance has passed, and the consequences of their unfaithfulness are now at their doorstep. For Jeremiah, hearing this sound, whether literally or prophetically, means that the long-warned-about destruction is no longer a distant threat but an imminent, terrifying reality that his soul has perceived, forcing his agonizing outcry.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah's profound anguish in [Jeremiah 4:19](/jeremiah/4-19 "Jeremiah's Lament Over Impending Judgment") serves as a poignant foreshadowing of the ultimate suffering of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Just as Jeremiah wept over the impending destruction of Jerusalem due to its sin and spiritual rebellion, Jesus, too, would later weep over the very same city, lamenting its spiritual blindness and the coming judgment that would ultimately befall it (cf. [Luke 19:41-44](/luke/19-41-44 "Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem's Impending Judgment")). Jeremiah's visceral pain, described as affecting his "bowels" and "heart," points to the deep, empathetic suffering of Christ, who bore the full weight of humanity's sin, experiencing agony in His soul even unto death in Gethsemane (cf. [Matthew 26:38](/matthew/26-38 "Jesus' Anguish in Gethsemane")). The "alarm of war" that shattered Jeremiah's peace finds its ultimate resolution in Christ's decisive victory over sin and death, which disarmed the spiritual principalities and powers that once held humanity captive (cf. [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). While Jeremiah could not hold his peace in the face of impending judgment, Jesus, through His obedient sacrifice on the cross, established a new covenant of peace, offering reconciliation to God for all who believe, thereby silencing the alarm of eternal judgment for those who are found in Him (cf. [Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Justification by Faith and Peace with God")). Jeremiah's sorrow, therefore, serves as a powerful type of the greater sorrow and ultimate triumph found in the person and redemptive work of Christ, who truly takes away the sin of the world and offers lasting peace.

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

Habakkuk 3:16

¶ When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.

Isaiah 22:4

Therefore said I, Look away from me; I will weep bitterly, labour not to comfort me, because of the spoiling of the daughter of my people.

Isaiah 16:11

Wherefore my bowels shall sound like an harp for Moab, and mine inward parts for Kirharesh.

Isaiah 21:3

Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing [of it]; I was dismayed at the seeing [of it].

Jeremiah 9:10

For the mountains will I take up a weeping and wailing, and for the habitations of the wilderness a lamentation, because they are burned up, so that none can pass through [them]; neither can [men] hear the voice of the cattle; both the fowl of the heavens and the beast are fled; they are gone.

Jeremiah 9:1

¶ Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!

Daniel 7:15

¶ I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of [my] body, and the visions of my head troubled me.