Jeremiah 15:10
Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me a man of strife and a man of contention to the whole earth! I have neither lent on usury, nor men have lent to me on usury; yet every one of them doth curse me.
Original Language Analysis
אִמִּ֔י
is me my mother
H517
אִמִּ֔י
is me my mother
Strong's:
H517
Word #:
3 of 18
a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
4 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְלִדְתִּ֗נִי
that thou hast borne
H3205
יְלִדְתִּ֗נִי
that thou hast borne
Strong's:
H3205
Word #:
5 of 18
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
וְאִ֥ישׁ
and a man
H376
וְאִ֥ישׁ
and a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
6 of 18
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
וְאִ֥ישׁ
and a man
H376
וְאִ֥ישׁ
and a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
8 of 18
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
לְכָל
H3605
לְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
10 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָאָ֑רֶץ
to the whole earth
H776
הָאָ֑רֶץ
to the whole earth
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
11 of 18
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
12 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נָֽשׁוּ
I have neither lent on usury
H5383
נָֽשׁוּ
I have neither lent on usury
Strong's:
H5383
Word #:
13 of 18
to lend or (by reciprocity) borrow on security or interest
וְלֹא
H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
14 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נָֽשׁוּ
I have neither lent on usury
H5383
נָֽשׁוּ
I have neither lent on usury
Strong's:
H5383
Word #:
15 of 18
to lend or (by reciprocity) borrow on security or interest
Cross References
Exodus 22:25If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.Luke 6:22Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
Historical Context
This verse begins Jeremiah's third personal lament (15:10-21). The prophet's life was defined by opposition—cursed by his own people, persecuted by religious establishment, rejected by royal court. The usury reference addresses common sources of social conflict; Jeremiah is innocent of such causes for opposition. His curse comes solely from faithful prophetic ministry.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jeremiah's lament about being 'born for strife' reflect the cost of prophetic ministry?
- What does his protestation of innocence (no usury) reveal about the source of his suffering?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse begins Jeremiah's personal lament: 'Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me a man of strife and a man of contention to the whole earth!' The Hebrew oi li (אוֹי לִי, woe to me) opens personal complaint. 'Man of strife' (ish riv) and 'man of contention' (ish madon) describe his experience as constant conflict. 'To the whole earth' (lekhol ha'arets) indicates universal opposition. 'I have neither lent on usury, nor men have lent to me on usury; yet every one of them doth curse me.' Jeremiah protests his innocence—he hasn't created economic conflict through usury (common source of strife), yet everyone curses him. His suffering is for proclaiming truth, not for personal wrongdoing.