Jeremiah 8:21

KJV

For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me.

KJV (with Strong's)

For the hurt {H7667} of the daughter {H1323} of my people {H5971} am I hurt {H7665}; I am black {H6937}; astonishment {H8047} hath taken hold {H2388} on me.

Complete Jewish Bible

The daughter of my people is broken, and it's tearing me to pieces; everything looks dark to me, horror seizes me.

Berean Standard Bible

For the brokenness of the daughter of my people I am crushed. I mourn; horror has gripped me.

American Standard Version

For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt: I mourn; dismay hath taken hold on me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 8:21 is a profound expression of the prophet Jeremiah's personal anguish and deep empathy for the impending suffering and destruction of his people, Judah. This verse encapsulates his identification with their pain, revealing a heart shattered by the consequences of their persistent rebellion against God. It paints a vivid picture of a prophet consumed by sorrow, mourning, and utter shock at the desolation that is about to befall the "daughter of my people."

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a larger prophetic lament and oracle of judgment against Judah, following a series of pronouncements detailing the nation's spiritual sickness and the inevitability of divine chastisement. Chapters 7-10 of Jeremiah are largely dedicated to exposing Judah's idolatry, false security in the Temple, and refusal to heed God's warnings. Jeremiah 8 specifically highlights the people's obstinacy and the resulting hopelessness of their situation, particularly in their rejection of God's wisdom and law, as noted in [Jeremiah 8:9](/jeremiah/8-9 "Jeremiah 8:9 - Rejection of God's Word"). The prophet's personal lament here serves as a poignant interlude, demonstrating that despite being the bearer of harsh tidings, he deeply grieves over the fate of those he warns, underscoring the severity of the coming judgment. It immediately precedes a vivid description of the land's desolation and the people's unhealed wounds.

* **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 (c. 627-586 BC). The "daughter of my people" refers to the nation of Judah, personified as a vulnerable female figure, a common literary device in prophetic literature to evoke tenderness and impending tragedy. The "hurt" (or "breach") is a direct consequence of Judah's covenant unfaithfulness, specifically their widespread idolatry, social injustice, and reliance on false prophets, which had provoked God's wrath. The impending calamity was the invasion and subsequent destruction by the Babylonian empire, a historical reality that Jeremiah tirelessly warned about. The expressions of being "black" and seized by "astonishment" are culturally resonant images of deep mourning and shock in the ancient Near East, often associated with public displays of grief, wearing sackcloth, and a darkened countenance.

* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 8:21 powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Prophetic Empathy and Suffering**, portraying Jeremiah as the "weeping prophet" who internalizes the pain of his people, acting as a compassionate intercessor even as he delivers messages of judgment. His sorrow is not detached but deeply personal, mirroring, in a sense, God's own grief over His rebellious children. Secondly, it highlights the **National Calamity and Divine Judgment** as the inevitable consequence of persistent disobedience and rejection of God's covenant, as seen in passages like [Jeremiah 7:24](/jeremiah/7-24 "Jeremiah 7:24 - Consequences of Disobedience"). The "hurt" signifies the devastating impact of the coming invasion, famine, and exile that will shatter the nation. Finally, the verse vividly expresses **Profound Grief and Despair**, using physical and emotional reactions—being "hurt," "black," and overcome by "astonishment"—to convey an overwhelming sense of shock, mourning, and desolation in the face of such a great national tragedy. This lament foreshadows the deep sorrow expressed later in the [Book of Lamentations](/lamentations/1 "Lamentations 1 - Lament over Jerusalem"), traditionally attributed to Jeremiah.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **hurt (Hebrew, _sheber'_):** This word (H7667) derives from the root H7665 (_shâbar_), meaning "to burst" or "to break." _Sheber_ specifically denotes a fracture, ruin, or affliction. In this context, it signifies not merely a superficial wound but a profound, deep-seated calamity that has shattered the nation of Judah. It implies utter devastation, collapse, and an internal breaking of the people, reflecting the spiritual and physical ruin brought about by their sin and the impending judgment.
* **black (Hebrew, _qâdar'_):** This verb (H6937) means "to be ashy" or "dark-colored," and by implication, "to mourn." It describes a state of deep, visible mourning, often associated with wearing sackcloth or having a darkened, pallid countenance due to overwhelming grief and despair. Jeremiah's declaration "I am black" conveys a profound physical and emotional manifestation of extreme sorrow, indicating that the prophet is utterly consumed by the national tragedy.
* **astonishment (Hebrew, _shammâh'_):** This noun (H8047) comes from the root H8074 (_shâmêm_), meaning "to be desolate" or "to be appalled." _Shammâh_ signifies ruin, desolation, or consternation. When it "hath taken hold" of Jeremiah, it suggests a shock so immense that it paralyzes, leaving him overwhelmed, bewildered, and utterly helpless in the face of the magnitude of the impending catastrophe. It speaks to a state of horror and utter despair at the unfolding judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt":** Jeremiah expresses a profound, empathetic identification with the suffering of Judah. The "daughter of my people" is a tender, personified reference to the nation, emphasizing its vulnerability and the prophet's deep affection. The repetition of "hurt" (using different but related Hebrew words, _sheber_ and _shâbar_) underscores the depth of the pain—it is not merely observed, but personally experienced and internalized by the prophet, mirroring the very brokenness of the nation itself.
* **"I am black":** This clause describes the physical manifestation of Jeremiah's intense grief. To be "black" signifies a state of deep mourning, often associated with a darkened countenance, pallor, or the wearing of dark, soiled garments. It conveys a profound and visible expression of sorrow, indicating that the prophet is utterly consumed by despair and lament over the impending national tragedy.
* **"astonishment hath taken hold on me":** This phrase conveys the overwhelming shock and horror that has seized Jeremiah. "Astonishment" (desolation, consternation) suggests a state of being utterly appalled and paralyzed by the magnitude of the catastrophe. It implies a sense of bewilderment and helplessness in the face of such immense suffering and divine judgment, leaving the prophet overwhelmed and unable to comprehend the full extent of the impending ruin.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 8:21 is rich in **Pathos**, evoking deep sympathy and sorrow through the prophet's raw expression of personal grief. The use of **Personification** in "daughter of my people" lends a tender, vulnerable image to the nation of Judah, making its impending suffering all the more poignant. **Hyperbole** is evident in the prophet's declaration "I am black," which, while rooted in cultural expressions of mourning, emphasizes the extreme, all-consuming nature of his sorrow. The phrase "astonishment hath taken hold on me" employs **Metaphor**, depicting astonishment as an active force that seizes and paralyzes the prophet, highlighting the overwhelming nature of his despair. The repetition of the concept of "hurt" (from different but related Hebrew roots) serves as a form of **Emphasis**, underscoring the profound and pervasive brokenness affecting both the nation and the prophet who laments over it.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 8:21 offers a profound theological insight into the nature of God's relationship with His people and the heart of true prophetic ministry. Jeremiah's deep anguish over the "hurt of the daughter of my people" reflects, in a human way, the very heart of God, who grieves over the sin and suffering of His beloved creation. This verse highlights that God's judgment is not arbitrary or devoid of emotion, but rather a sorrowful consequence of persistent rebellion, a divine lament over a people who have strayed. It underscores the biblical principle that sin leads to brokenness and desolation, and that true spiritual leadership involves bearing the burdens and sorrows of those one serves, even when delivering difficult truths.

* [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Man of Sorrows")
* [Romans 9:1-3](/romans/9-1 "Romans 9:1-3 - Paul's Anguish for Israel")
* [Lamentations 1:12](/lamentations/1-12 "Lamentations 1:12 - Jerusalem's Despair")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 8:21 serves as a powerful call to empathy and a sober reminder of the consequences of spiritual rebellion. The prophet's willingness to internalize the pain of his people, even when they are the cause of their own suffering, challenges believers to cultivate a similar compassion for a hurting world. It prompts us to consider how deeply we are moved by the spiritual and physical brokenness around us, and whether we are willing to "be hurt" for the sake of others, just as Jeremiah was. This verse also serves as a stark warning: persistent disobedience to God's word inevitably leads to devastating "hurt" and "astonishment," both individually and corporately. It calls us to examine our own lives and communities for areas of unrepentant sin, urging us to turn back to God before desolation takes hold. Ultimately, Jeremiah's lament reminds us that God Himself grieves over human sin and suffering, inviting us to align our hearts with His in both sorrow over sin and hope for restoration.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jeremiah's deep empathy for his people challenge my own level of compassion for those who are suffering, especially due to their own choices?**
* **In what ways might I be contributing to "the hurt of the daughter of my people" (e.g., my community, church, nation) through my own apathy or disobedience?**
* **What does Jeremiah's profound grief reveal about the heart of God regarding human sin and its consequences?**
* **How can I allow God to use my own experiences of "hurt" or "astonishment" to deepen my spiritual sensitivity and commitment to intercession?**

### FAQ
**What does "daughter of my people" signify in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "daughter of my people" is a tender and common poetic device in the Old Testament, particularly in prophetic books like Jeremiah and Lamentations. It personifies the nation of Judah (or Jerusalem) as a vulnerable female figure. This imagery evokes a sense of intimacy, affection, and deep concern, highlighting the prophet's profound personal connection and sorrow over the impending suffering of his beloved nation. It underscores that the "hurt" is not just a political or military defeat, but a deeply personal tragedy for Jeremiah and, by extension, for God Himself.

**Why is Jeremiah "black" and filled with "astonishment"?**

Answer: Jeremiah's being "black" (Hebrew: _qâdar_) and filled with "astonishment" (Hebrew: _shammâh_) are vivid expressions of profound grief, despair, and shock. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a darkened countenance, wearing black or sackcloth, and physical signs of distress were common manifestations of deep mourning and lamentation, often in response to death, disaster, or national calamity. Jeremiah's physical and emotional state reflects the overwhelming horror and desolation he feels as he foresees the destruction and exile awaiting Judah due to their sin. It indicates that the prophet is utterly consumed by the tragedy, to the point of physical and emotional paralysis, as seen in other laments throughout the [Book of Jeremiah](/jeremiah/1 "Jeremiah 1 - The Call of Jeremiah").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 8:21, though a lament of the prophet over Judah's sin and impending judgment, ultimately points forward to the ultimate "man of sorrows" (as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - The Suffering Servant")), Jesus Christ. While Jeremiah grieved over the consequences of his people's sin, Jesus, the perfect Son of God, bore the full weight of humanity's sin and its "hurt" upon Himself. His anguish in Gethsemane, where He sweat drops of blood, and His cry from the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")), reveal a depth of suffering and "astonishment" far beyond Jeremiah's. Jesus willingly became "black" with the darkness of sin and the wrath of God, experiencing ultimate desolation so that humanity might be healed. His empathy was not merely for a nation, but for all who would believe, as He took away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Through His broken body and shed blood, the ultimate "hurt" was absorbed, offering healing and reconciliation to all who turn to Him, fulfilling the deepest longings for restoration that Jeremiah's lament foreshadows. Just as Jeremiah wept for his people, Jesus wept over Jerusalem ([Luke 19:41-44](/luke/19-41 "Luke 19:41-44 - Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem")), demonstrating divine compassion that perfectly bridges the gap between judgment and grace.

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

Jeremiah 14:17

¶ Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.

Nahum 2:10

She is empty, and void, and waste: and the heart melteth, and the knees smite together, and much pain [is] in all loins, and the faces of them all gather blackness.

Joel 2:6

Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness.

Song Of Solomon 1:5

I [am] black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.

Song Of Solomon 1:6

Look not upon me, because I [am] black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; [but] mine own vineyard have I not kept.

Jeremiah 4:19

¶ 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.

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!