Jeremiah 13:17
But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive.
Original Language Analysis
וְאִם֙
H518
וְאִם֙
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 17
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
2 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִשְׁמָע֔וּהָ
But if ye will not hear
H8085
תִשְׁמָע֔וּהָ
But if ye will not hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
3 of 17
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
בְּמִסְתָּרִ֥ים
in secret places
H4565
בְּמִסְתָּרִ֥ים
in secret places
Strong's:
H4565
Word #:
4 of 17
properly, a concealer, i.e., a covert
נַפְשִׁ֖י
it my soul
H5315
נַפְשִׁ֖י
it my soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
6 of 17
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
מִפְּנֵ֣י
for
H6440
מִפְּנֵ֣י
for
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
7 of 17
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וְתֵרַ֤ד
and run down
H3381
וְתֵרַ֤ד
and run down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
11 of 17
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
עֵינִי֙
and mine eye
H5869
עֵינִי֙
and mine eye
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
12 of 17
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
14 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Malachi 2:2If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.Jeremiah 9:1Oh 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!Jeremiah 14:17Therefore 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.Psalms 80:1Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.Psalms 119:136Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.Ezekiel 34:31And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord GOD.Lamentations 1:16For these things I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water, because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me: my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed.Lamentations 2:18Their heart cried unto the Lord, O wall of the daughter of Zion, let tears run down like a river day and night: give thyself no rest; let not the apple of thine eye cease.1 Samuel 15:35And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.
Historical Context
Jeremiah's emotional identification with his people appears throughout his 'confessions' (11:18-12:6, 15:10-21, 17:14-18, 18:18-23, 20:7-18). Unlike false prophets who delivered comfortable lies, Jeremiah suffered with the truth he proclaimed. His tears for the 'flock carried captive' reveal pastoral heart behind prophetic severity. This verse establishes him as the 'weeping prophet.'
Questions for Reflection
- What does Jeremiah's private weeping reveal about authentic prophetic ministry?
- How does grieving for those under judgment differ from harsh or vindictive pronouncement?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse reveals Jeremiah's grief: 'But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride.' Conditional 'if you will not hear' (im lo tishme'uha) indicates their choice remains. 'My soul shall weep' (tivkeh nafshi) reveals the prophet's emotional investment—he genuinely grieves their stubborn refusal. 'In secret places' (bemistarim) suggests private weeping, hidden tears. 'And mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive.' The Hebrew yarad dim'ah (running tears) describes continuous weeping. 'LORD's flock' (eder YHWH) presents Israel as God's sheep led away captive. The weeping prophet's grief authenticates his love despite the severe message.