King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 15:10 Mean?

Jeremiah 15:10 in the King James Version says “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... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Jeremiah 15:10 · KJV


Context

8

Their widows are increased to me above the sand of the seas: I have brought upon them against the mother of the young men a spoiler at noonday: I have caused him to fall upon it suddenly, and terrors upon the city. the mother: or, the mother city a young man spoiling, etc, or, the mother and the young men

9

She that hath borne seven languisheth: she hath given up the ghost; her sun is gone down while it was yet day : she hath been ashamed and confounded: and the residue of them will I deliver to the sword before their enemies, saith the LORD.

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.

11

The LORD said, Verily it shall be well with thy remnant ; verily I will cause the enemy to entreat thee well in the time of evil and in the time of affliction. cause: or, intreat the enemy for thee

12

Shall iron break the northern iron and the steel?


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jeremiah's lament about being 'born for strife' reflect the cost of prophetic ministry?
  2. What does his protestation of innocence (no usury) reveal about the source of his suffering?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
אֽוֹי1 of 18

Woe

H188

lamentation; also interjectionally oh!

לִ֣י2 of 18
H0
אִמִּ֔י3 of 18

is me my mother

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

כִּ֣י4 of 18
H3588

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

יְלִדְתִּ֗נִי5 of 18

that thou hast borne

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

וְאִ֥ישׁ6 of 18

and a man

H376

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)

רִ֛יב7 of 18

of strife

H7379

a contest (personal or legal)

וְאִ֥ישׁ8 of 18

and a man

H376

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)

מָד֖וֹן9 of 18

of contention

H4066

a contest or quarrel

לְכָל10 of 18
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָאָ֑רֶץ11 of 18

to the whole earth

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

לֹֽא12 of 18
H3808

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

נָֽשׁוּ13 of 18

I have neither lent on usury

H5383

to lend or (by reciprocity) borrow on security or interest

וְלֹא14 of 18
H3808

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

נָֽשׁוּ15 of 18

I have neither lent on usury

H5383

to lend or (by reciprocity) borrow on security or interest

בִ֖י16 of 18
H0
כֻּלֹּ֥ה17 of 18
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מְקַלְלַֽונִי׃18 of 18

yet every one of them doth curse

H7043

to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)


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 15:10 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 15:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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