Jeremiah 30:15
Why criest thou for thine affliction? thy sorrow is incurable for the multitude of thine iniquity: because thy sins were increased, I have done these things unto thee.
Original Language Analysis
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
1 of 14
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
תִּזְעַק֙
Why criest
H2199
תִּזְעַק֙
Why criest
Strong's:
H2199
Word #:
2 of 14
to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
שִׁבְרֵ֔ךְ
thou for thine affliction
H7667
שִׁבְרֵ֔ךְ
thou for thine affliction
Strong's:
H7667
Word #:
4 of 14
a fracture, figuratively, ruin; specifically, a solution (of a dream)
אָנ֖וּשׁ
is incurable
H605
אָנ֖וּשׁ
is incurable
Strong's:
H605
Word #:
5 of 14
to be frail, feeble, or (figuratively) melancholy
עַ֣ל׀
H5921
עַ֣ל׀
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
7 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
עָֽצְמוּ֙
were increased
H6105
עָֽצְמוּ֙
were increased
Strong's:
H6105
Word #:
10 of 14
to bind fast, i.e., close (the eyes); intransitively, to be (causatively, make) powerful or numerous; to crunch the bones
חַטֹּאתַ֔יִךְ
because thy sins
H2403
חַטֹּאתַ֔יִךְ
because thy sins
Strong's:
H2403
Word #:
11 of 14
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
Cross References
Jeremiah 30:14All thy lovers have forgotten thee; they seek thee not; for I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one, for the multitude of thine iniquity; because thy sins were increased.Jeremiah 30:12For thus saith the LORD, Thy bruise is incurable, and thy wound is grievous.
Historical Context
Jerusalem's suffering in the siege and exile seemed endless—famine, violence, deportation, temple destruction. Many questioned whether restoration was even possible after such catastrophic judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you ever complain about consequences while refusing to acknowledge the sin that caused them?
- How does understanding God's sovereignty in your trials change your response to suffering?
- What 'incurable' spiritual wounds in your life require God's miraculous intervention?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Why criest thou for thine affliction? (מַה תִּזְעַק עַל שִׁבְרֵךְ, 'mah tiz'ak al shivrech')—God's rhetorical question confronts Israel's self-pity. The answer is devastating: thy sorrow is incurable (אָנוּשׁ מַכְאֹבֵךְ, 'anush makh'ovech', literally 'your pain is desperate/mortal').
The phrase I have done these things unto thee affirms divine sovereignty in judgment—Babylon is merely God's instrument. Yet the repetition of 'multitude of thine iniquity' (רֹב עֲוֹנֵךְ) points toward hope: if sin's abundance brought judgment, grace's abundance (Rom 5:20) will bring restoration. The 'incurable' wound requires supernatural healing only God can provide.