Jeremiah 20:16
And let that man be as the cities which the LORD overthrew, and repented not: and let him hear the cry in the morning, and the shouting at noontide;
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Sodom and Gomorrah's destruction became Israel's primary example of divine judgment (Isaiah 1:9, 13:19; Ezekiel 16:49-50; Amos 4:11). The phrase 'overthrew and repented not' would immediately call to mind that catastrophic judgment. Ancient Near Eastern warfare began at dawn (the 'cry in the morning') and intensified through the day (the 'shouting at noontide'). Jerusalem itself would soon experience this pattern when Babylon attacked—morning assault, midday battle, eventual destruction (2 Kings 25:1-10). Jeremiah's prophetic imagination associates his birth with such destruction—he wishes his birth had brought disaster to the messenger rather than joy. This extreme language parallels Job's curses (Job 3:3-10) and demonstrates how God's faithful servants can experience profound despair. Church history records similar expressions: Jerome wished he'd never been born, Luther struggled with suicidal despair, Spurgeon battled depression. These examples comfort believers experiencing similar darkness, showing that such struggles don't disqualify us from faith or service.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jeremiah's reference to Sodom's irrevocable judgment express the depth of his wish that he'd never been born?
- What does God's preservation of this extreme, irrational lament teach us about His patience with our struggles and emotional outbursts during suffering?
- In what ways can understanding that godly people like Jeremiah experienced profound despair give us permission to be honest about our own struggles?
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Analysis & Commentary
Jeremiah's lament continues with another hyperbolic curse: 'let that man be as the cities which the LORD overthrew, and repented not.' This clearly references Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24-25), paradigmatic examples of divine judgment. The phrase 'and repented not' (lo nicham, לֹא נִחָם) emphasizes the finality and irrevocability of that judgment—God did not relent or change His mind. The vivid imagery 'let him hear the cry in the morning, and the shouting at noontide' describes the sounds of destruction: cries of terror at dawn when attack begins, shouting of battle by midday. This continues the irrational cursing of the innocent messenger, expressing Jeremiah's wish that announcing his birth had brought disaster rather than joy. The allusion to Sodom's destruction carries theological weight—those cities represent complete judgment for complete wickedness. Yet Jeremiah applies this to the messenger of his birth, revealing how suffering can distort perspective. This teaches that godly people in crisis may make extreme statements that shouldn't be taken as theological pronouncements. God's grace allows such cries without condemnation, understanding that pain speaks through these words.