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.
Original Language Analysis
וְאָמַרְתָּ֤
Therefore thou shalt say
H559
וְאָמַרְתָּ֤
Therefore thou shalt say
Strong's:
H559
Word #:
1 of 22
to say (used with great latitude)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַדָּבָ֣ר
this word
H1697
הַדָּבָ֣ר
this word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
4 of 22
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
הַזֶּ֔ה
H2088
תֵּרַ֨דְנָה
run down
H3381
תֵּרַ֨דְנָה
run down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
6 of 22
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
עֵינַ֥י
unto them Let mine eyes
H5869
עֵינַ֥י
unto them Let mine eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
7 of 22
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
לַ֥יְלָה
night
H3915
לַ֥יְלָה
night
Strong's:
H3915
Word #:
9 of 22
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
וְאַל
H408
וְאַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
11 of 22
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּדְמֶ֑ינָה
and let them not cease
H1820
תִּדְמֶ֑ינָה
and let them not cease
Strong's:
H1820
Word #:
12 of 22
to be dumb or silent; hence, to fail or perish; trans. to destroy
כִּי֩
H3588
כִּי֩
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
13 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
גָּד֜וֹל
with a great
H1419
גָּד֜וֹל
with a great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
15 of 22
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
נִשְׁבְּרָ֗ה
breach
H7667
נִשְׁבְּרָ֗ה
breach
Strong's:
H7667
Word #:
16 of 22
a fracture, figuratively, ruin; specifically, a solution (of a dream)
בְּתוּלַת֙
for the virgin
H1330
בְּתוּלַת֙
for the virgin
Strong's:
H1330
Word #:
17 of 22
a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a city or state
בַּת
daughter
H1323
בַּת
daughter
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
18 of 22
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
עַמִּ֔י
of my people
H5971
עַמִּ֔י
of my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
19 of 22
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
מַכָּ֖ה
blow
H4347
מַכָּ֖ה
blow
Strong's:
H4347
Word #:
20 of 22
a blow (in 2 chronicles 2:10, of the flail); by implication, a wound; figuratively, carnage, also pestilence
Cross References
Jeremiah 8:21For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me.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 13:17But 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.Lamentations 2:13What thing shall I take to witness for thee? what thing shall I liken to thee, O daughter of Jerusalem? what shall I equal to thee, that I may comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Zion? for thy breach is great like the sea: who can heal thee?Micah 6:13Therefore also will I make thee sick in smiting thee, in making thee desolate because of thy sins.Isaiah 37:22This is the word which the LORD hath spoken concerning him; The virgin, the daughter of Zion, hath despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.Psalms 39:10Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.Jeremiah 10:19Woe is me for my hurt! my wound is grievous: but I said, Truly this is a grief, and I must bear it.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.
Historical Context
Jeremiah was known as 'the weeping prophet' for his grief over Judah's coming destruction. His sorrow demonstrated that faithful prophetic ministry includes compassion for those under judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How should those who proclaim God's judgment also grieve over its necessity?
- What does the metaphor 'virgin daughter' teach about unfulfilled potential destroyed by sin?
- How can we maintain both conviction about God's righteous judgments and compassion for those experiencing them?
Analysis & Commentary
Jeremiah is commanded to express appropriate grief: 'Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease.' The continuous weeping ('night and day,' 'let them not cease') reflects the tragedy's magnitude. The reason: 'for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.' The metaphor 'virgin daughter' emphasizes innocence and potential now destroyed. The 'great breach' and 'grievous blow' depict comprehensive devastation. This verse shows that prophetic ministry includes grief over God's judgments, not joy in vindication. True servants of God weep over judgment even when it's deserved and necessary.