King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 13:17 Mean?

Jeremiah 13:17 in the King James Version says “But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run do... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

But 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.

Jeremiah 13:17 · KJV


Context

15

Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken.

16

Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.

17

But 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.

18

Say unto the king and to the queen, Humble yourselves, sit down: for your principalities shall come down, even the crown of your glory. principalities: or, head tires

19

The cities of the south shall be shut up, and none shall open them: Judah shall be carried away captive all of it, it shall be wholly carried away captive.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse reveals Jeremiah's grief: 'But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride.' Conditional 'if you will not hear' (im lo tishme'uha) indicates their choice remains. 'My soul shall weep' (tivkeh nafshi) reveals the prophet's emotional investment—he genuinely grieves their stubborn refusal. 'In secret places' (bemistarim) suggests private weeping, hidden tears. 'And mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive.' The Hebrew yarad dim'ah (running tears) describes continuous weeping. 'LORD's flock' (eder YHWH) presents Israel as God's sheep led away captive. The weeping prophet's grief authenticates his love despite the severe message.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jeremiah's emotional identification with his people appears throughout his 'confessions' (11:18-12:6, 15:10-21, 17:14-18, 18:18-23, 20:7-18). Unlike false prophets who delivered comfortable lies, Jeremiah suffered with the truth he proclaimed. His tears for the 'flock carried captive' reveal pastoral heart behind prophetic severity. This verse establishes him as the 'weeping prophet.'

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Jeremiah's private weeping reveal about authentic prophetic ministry?
  2. How does grieving for those under judgment differ from harsh or vindictive pronouncement?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְאִם֙1 of 17
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

לֹ֣א2 of 17
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִשְׁמָע֔וּהָ3 of 17

But if ye will not hear

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

בְּמִסְתָּרִ֥ים4 of 17

in secret places

H4565

properly, a concealer, i.e., a covert

תִּבְכֶּֽה5 of 17

shall weep

H1058

to weep; generally to bemoan

נַפְשִׁ֖י6 of 17

it my soul

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

מִפְּנֵ֣י7 of 17

for

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

גֵוָ֑ה8 of 17

your pride

H1466

exaltation; (figuratively) arrogance

תִּדְמַ֜ע9 of 17

shall weep

H1830

to weep

תִּדְמַ֜ע10 of 17

shall weep

H1830

to weep

וְתֵרַ֤ד11 of 17

and run down

H3381

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

עֵינִי֙12 of 17

and mine eye

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

דִּמְעָ֔ה13 of 17

with tears

H1832

weeping

כִּ֥י14 of 17
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

נִשְׁבָּ֖ה15 of 17

is carried away captive

H7617

to transport into captivity

עֵ֥דֶר16 of 17

flock

H5739

an arrangement, i.e., muster (of animals)

יְהוָֽה׃17 of 17

because the LORD'S

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 13:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 13:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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