Jeremiah 10:19
Woe is mee for my hurt, my wound is grieuous: but I sayd, Truely this is a griefe, and I must beare it. Jeremiah 10:19 (KJV)
Context: The quoted lines are traditionally linked to Lamentations 1:22 and are often associated with the prophet Jeremiah, though they do not appear in the King James Version as a direct quotation. Jeremiah ministered during a period of intense national distress and impending judgment on Judah. The people had turned away from God, embracing idolatry and wickedness, which led to their collective downfall. Jeremiah’s prophetic voice called for repentance and warned of the severe consequences that would follow if the nation did not return to covenant faithfulness.
Emotional Lament: The passage opens with a vivid lament that conveys personal anguish and deep pain. Jeremiah’s language—”Woe is me for my hurt! my wound is grievous”—identifies his own suffering with that of his people. This emotive expression underscores the gravity of the nation’s situation and demonstrates the prophet’s empathy, as he willingly shares in the sorrow of those he is sent to warn.
Acknowledging the Grief: Jeremiah does not minimize the severity of the wound inflicted upon Judah. He openly declares that the grief is real and profound, recognizing that the people’s suffering is both genuine and overwhelming. This acknowledgment reflects his sensitivity and compassion toward his fellow countrymen, affirming that the pain they experience is not abstract but a tangible, grievous wound.
Acceptance of Responsibility: In the latter portion of the verse, Jeremiah accepts the reality of the grief and the burden it carries. He states, “Truly this is a grief, and I must bear it,” indicating his willingness to shoulder the hardship as part of his prophetic role. This acceptance reveals his understanding that a prophet must not only proclaim warning but also endure the emotional weight of the people’s plight, embodying the suffering he proclaims.
Note: Because these lines are not found in the King James Version of the Bible, they should be presented with the caution that they are not a direct biblical quotation, even though they capture the spirit of Jeremiah’s lament and the theological themes associated with his ministry.
