Jeremiah 15:17
I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation.
Original Language Analysis
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָשַׁ֔בְתִּי
I sat
H3427
יָשַׁ֔בְתִּי
I sat
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
2 of 12
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
בְסוֹד
not in the assembly
H5475
בְסוֹד
not in the assembly
Strong's:
H5475
Word #:
3 of 12
a session, i.e., company of persons (in close deliberation); by implication, intimacy, consultation, a secret
מְשַׂחֲקִ֖ים
of the mockers
H7832
מְשַׂחֲקִ֖ים
of the mockers
Strong's:
H7832
Word #:
4 of 12
to laugh (in pleasure or detraction); by implication, to play
מִפְּנֵ֤י
because
H6440
מִפְּנֵ֤י
because
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
6 of 12
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יָֽדְךָ֙
of thy hand
H3027
יָֽדְךָ֙
of thy hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
7 of 12
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
יָשַׁ֔בְתִּי
I sat
H3427
יָשַׁ֔בְתִּי
I sat
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
9 of 12
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
10 of 12
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Psalms 1:1Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.Lamentations 3:28He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him.Psalms 102:7I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.Jeremiah 6:11Therefore I am full of the fury of the LORD; I am weary with holding in: I will pour it out upon the children abroad, and upon the assembly of young men together: for even the husband with the wife shall be taken, the aged with him that is full of days.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.2 Corinthians 6:17Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
Historical Context
Jeremiah faced constant persecution: imprisonment, death threats, beatings, and plots against his life from those who rejected his message. His appeals for vindication against persecutors reflect legitimate desire for God's justice.
Questions for Reflection
- How should believers understand imprecatory prayers for God's judgment on persecutors?
- What does 'for thy sake I have suffered rebuke' teach about the cost of faithful ministry?
- When is appeal for divine vindication appropriate versus when should we simply bear persecution patiently?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Jeremiah returns to complaint/prayer: 'O LORD, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and revenge me of my persecutors.' The appeal 'thou knowest' assumes God's omniscience of Jeremiah's suffering. Three requests: 'remember me' (don't forget my plight), 'visit me' (intervene on my behalf), 'revenge me of my persecutors' (execute justice). The plea 'take me not away in thy longsuffering' asks that God's patience with persecutors not result in Jeremiah's death before vindication. The final appeal: 'know that for thy sake I have suffered rebuke.' Jeremiah's suffering comes from faithful service, not personal sin. This imprecatory prayer seeks God's justice against those opposing His word.