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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Jeremiah 20:18 Why did I come out of the womb to see only trouble and sorrow, and to end my days in shame?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/jeremiah/20-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/24_Jer_20_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Jeremiah 20:18 - Jeremiah's Complaint" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Why did I come out of the womb to see only trouble and sorrow, and to end my days in shame?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/jeremiah/20-18.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/jeremiah/20-18.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/jeremiah/">Jeremiah</a> > <a href="/jeremiah/20.htm">Chapter 20</a> > Verse 18</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad18.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/jeremiah/20-17.htm" title="Jeremiah 20:17">◄</a> Jeremiah 20:18 <a href="/jeremiah/21-1.htm" title="Jeremiah 21:1">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/20.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/jeremiah/20.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Why did I ever come out of the womb to see trouble and sorrow and to end my days in shame?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Why was I ever born? My entire life has been filled with trouble, sorrow, and shame.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/jeremiah/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Why did I come out from the womb to see toil and sorrow, and spend my days in shame?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why did I come out of the womb to see only trouble and sorrow, and to end my days in shame?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Why did I come forth from the womb to see labor and sorrow, That my days should be consumed with shame?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why did I ever come out of the womb To look at trouble and sorrow, So that my days have been spent in shame?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Why did I ever come forth from the womb To look on trouble and sorrow, So that my days have been spent in shame?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Why did I ever come forth from the womb To look on trouble and sorrow, So that my days have been spent in shame? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/jeremiah/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Why did I ever come forth from the womb To look on trouble and sorrow, So that my days have been spent in shame?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/jeremiah/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Why did I come out of the womb To see trouble and sorrow, So that my days have been filled with shame?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/jeremiah/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why did I come out of the womb to see only struggle and sorrow, to end my life in shame?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why did I come out of the womb to see only struggle and sorrow, to end my life in shame? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/jeremiah/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labor and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/jeremiah/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Why did I have to be born? Was it just to suffer and die in shame? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/jeremiah/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/jeremiah/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Why did I come out of the womb? All I've seen is trouble and grief. I will finish my days in shame.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/jeremiah/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Why was I born? Was it only to have trouble and sorrow, to end my life in disgrace? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/jeremiah/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Why did I ever come out of the womb to see trouble and sorrow, and to finish my life living in shame?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/jeremiah/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Why did I ever come forth from my mother's womb? All I experience is trouble and grief, and I spend my days in shame. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/jeremiah/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Why came I forth out of the womb to see labor and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/jeremiah/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Why was I brought into the world to see labor and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/jeremiah/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why did I come out of the womb to see only trouble and sorrow, and to end my days in shame?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/jeremiah/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Why did I come out of the womb to see labor and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Why [is] this? I have come out from the womb "" To see labor and sorrow, "" Indeed, my days are consumed in shame!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/jeremiah/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Why is this? from the womb I have come out, To see labour and sorrow, Yea, consumed in shame are my days!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/jeremiah/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Wherefore this came I forth from the womb to see labor and sorrow, and my days shall be finished with shame?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/jeremiah/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Why came I out of the womb, to see labour and sorrow, and that my days should be spent in confusion? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Why did I depart from the womb, so that I would see hardship and sorrow, and so that my days would be consumed by trouble?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/jeremiah/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Why did I come forth from the womb, to see sorrow and pain, to end my days in shame? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Why did I come forth from the womb to see toil and sorrow, and spend my days in shame?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Why did I come forth out of the womb to see toil and sorrow? My days are spent in shame.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Why have I proceeded from the womb to see labor and misery, and my days are finished in shame?” <div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/jeremiah/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Wherefore came I forth out of the womb To see labour and sorrow, That my days should be consumed in shame?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/jeremiah/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Why is it that I came forth of the womb to see troubles and distresses, and my days are spent in shame?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/jeremiah/20-18.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5k55c51ZGhs?start=6020" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/20.htm">Jeremiah's Complaint</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">17</span>because he did not kill me in the womb so that my mother might have been my grave, and her womb forever enlarged. <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: lām·māh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">Why</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: zeh (Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: yā·ṣā·ṯî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">did I come out</a> <a href="/hebrew/7358.htm" title="7358: mê·re·ḥem (Prep-m:: N-ms) -- Womb. From racham; the womb.">of the womb</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: lir·’ō·wṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">to see</a> <a href="/hebrew/5999.htm" title="5999: ‘ā·māl (N-ms) -- Trouble, labor, toil. From amal; toil, i.e. Wearing effort; hence, worry, wheth. Of body or mind.">only trouble</a> <a href="/hebrew/3015.htm" title="3015: wə·yā·ḡō·wn (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Grief, sorrow. From yagah; affliction.">and sorrow,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3615.htm" title="3615: way·yiḵ·lū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, or spent. A primitive root; to end, whether intransitive or transitived.">and to end</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: yā·māy (N-mpc:: 1cs) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">my days</a> <a href="/hebrew/1322.htm" title="1322: bə·ḇō·šeṯ (Prep-b:: N-fs) -- Shame, shameful thing. From buwsh; shame; by implication an idol.">in shame?</a> </span><div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/3-11.htm">Job 3:11-16</a></span><br />Why did I not perish at birth; why did I not die as I came from the womb? / Why were there knees to receive me, and breasts that I should be nursed? / For now I would be lying down in peace; I would be asleep and at rest ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/10-18.htm">Job 10:18-19</a></span><br />Why then did You bring me from the womb? Oh, that I had died, and no eye had seen me! / If only I had never come to be, but had been carried from the womb to the grave.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:2-3</a></span><br />So I admired the dead, who had already died, above the living, who are still alive. / But better than both is he who has not yet existed, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/3-1.htm">Job 3:1-3</a></span><br />After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. / And this is what he said: / “May the day of my birth perish, and the night it was said, ‘A boy is conceived.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/14-1.htm">Job 14:1</a></span><br />“Man, who is born of woman, is short of days and full of trouble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/3-20.htm">Job 3:20-23</a></span><br />Why is light given to the miserable, and life to the bitter of soul, / who long for death that does not come, and search for it like hidden treasure, / who rejoice and greatly exult when they reach the grave? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/7-16.htm">Job 7:16</a></span><br />I loathe my life! I would not live forever. Leave me alone, for my days are but a breath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/17-13.htm">Job 17:13-16</a></span><br />If I look for Sheol as my home, if I spread out my bed in darkness, / and say to corruption, ‘You are my father,’ and to the worm, ‘My mother,’ or ‘My sister,’ / where then is my hope? Who can see any hope for me? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/21-7.htm">Job 21:7-15</a></span><br />Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power? / Their descendants are established around them, and their offspring before their eyes. / Their homes are safe from fear; no rod of punishment from God is upon them. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/88-3.htm">Psalm 88:3-6</a></span><br />For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol. / I am counted among those descending to the Pit. I am like a man without strength. / I am forsaken among the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom You remember no more, who are cut off from Your care. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/39-4.htm">Psalm 39:4-5</a></span><br />“Show me, O LORD, my end and the measure of my days. Let me know how fleeting my life is. / You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/73-3.htm">Psalm 73:3-14</a></span><br />For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. / They have no struggle in their death; their bodies are well-fed. / They are free of the burdens others carry; they are not afflicted like other men. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/90-10.htm">Psalm 90:10</a></span><br />The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty if we are strong—yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-1.htm">Lamentations 3:1-18</a></span><br />I am the man who has seen affliction under the rod of God’s wrath. / He has driven me away and made me walk in darkness instead of light. / Indeed, He keeps turning His hand against me all day long. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/38-10.htm">Isaiah 38:10-14</a></span><br />I said, “In the prime of my life I must go through the gates of Sheol and be deprived of the remainder of my years.” / I said, “I will never again see the LORD, even the LORD, in the land of the living; I will no longer look on mankind with those who dwell in this world. / My dwelling has been picked up and removed from me like a shepherd’s tent. I have rolled up my life like a weaver; He cuts me off from the loom; from day until night You make an end of me. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Why came I forth out of the womb to see labor and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?</p><p class="hdg">came.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/3-20.htm">Job 3:20</a></b></br> Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter <i>in</i> soul;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/14-1.htm">Job 14:1,13</a></b></br> Man <i>that is</i> born of a woman <i>is</i> of few days, and full of trouble… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/lamentations/3-1.htm">Lamentations 3:1</a></b></br> I <i>am</i> the man <i>that</i> hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath.</p><p class="hdg">to see.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/8-18.htm">Jeremiah 8:18</a></b></br> <i>When</i> I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart <i>is</i> faint in me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/3-16.htm">Genesis 3:16-19</a></b></br> Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire <i>shall be</i> to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/90-10.htm">Psalm 90:10</a></b></br> The days of our years <i>are</i> threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength <i>they be</i> fourscore years, yet <i>is</i> their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.</p><p class="hdg">with.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/69-19.htm">Psalm 69:19</a></b></br> Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries <i>are</i> all before thee.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/1-6.htm">Isaiah 1:6</a></b></br> From the sole of the foot even unto the head <i>there is</i> no soundness in it; <i>but</i> wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/61-7.htm">Isaiah 61:7</a></b></br> For your shame <i>ye shall have</i> double; and <i>for</i> confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/20-17.htm">Body</a> <a href="/jeremiah/16-4.htm">Consumed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-11.htm">End</a> <a href="/jeremiah/20-12.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-21.htm">Labor</a> <a href="/jeremiah/20-17.htm">Mother's</a> <a href="/jeremiah/15-18.htm">Pain</a> <a href="/jeremiah/20-11.htm">Shame</a> <a href="/jeremiah/16-7.htm">Sorrow</a> <a href="/isaiah/65-4.htm">Spend</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-4.htm">Spent</a> <a href="/isaiah/65-23.htm">Toil</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-16.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/jeremiah/16-10.htm">Wherefore</a> <a href="/jeremiah/20-17.htm">Womb</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-12.htm">World</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/22-19.htm">Body</a> <a href="/jeremiah/21-14.htm">Consumed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-20.htm">End</a> <a href="/jeremiah/21-9.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-41.htm">Labor</a> <a href="/jeremiah/52-1.htm">Mother's</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-23.htm">Pain</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-40.htm">Shame</a> <a href="/jeremiah/30-15.htm">Sorrow</a> <a href="/ezekiel/5-13.htm">Spend</a> <a href="/jeremiah/37-21.htm">Spent</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-58.htm">Toil</a> <a href="/jeremiah/24-9.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-8.htm">Wherefore</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-26.htm">Womb</a> <a href="/jeremiah/25-26.htm">World</a><div class="vheading2">Jeremiah 20</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/20-1.htm">Pashur, smiting Jeremiah, receives a new name, and a fearful doom.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/20-7.htm">Jeremiah complains of contempt;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/20-10.htm">of treachery;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/20-14.htm">and of his birth.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/jeremiah/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Why did I come out of the womb</b><br>This phrase reflects Jeremiah's deep lament and personal anguish. It echoes the sentiments found in <a href="/job/3-11.htm">Job 3:11</a>, where Job questions the purpose of his birth amidst suffering. Jeremiah's calling as a prophet brought him immense personal hardship, leading him to question the very purpose of his existence. This lament is not uncommon among biblical figures who faced intense trials, highlighting the human struggle with divine purpose and suffering.<p><b>to see only trouble and sorrow</b><br>Jeremiah's ministry was marked by conflict, persecution, and rejection. The "trouble and sorrow" he refers to are the direct results of his prophetic mission to a rebellious nation. This phrase can be connected to the broader theme of the suffering servant, a motif that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who also faced rejection and sorrow (<a href="/isaiah/53-3.htm">Isaiah 53:3</a>). Jeremiah's life serves as a type of Christ, prefiguring the suffering and rejection that Jesus would endure.<p><b>and to end my days in shame?</b><br>The shame Jeremiah speaks of is tied to the cultural context of honor and shame in ancient Near Eastern societies. Prophets were often ridiculed and scorned, and Jeremiah experienced this firsthand (<a href="/jeremiah/20-7.htm">Jeremiah 20:7-8</a>). His lament here foreshadows the shame and humiliation that Christ would bear on the cross (<a href="/hebrews/12-2.htm">Hebrews 12:2</a>). Despite the shame, both Jeremiah and Jesus remained faithful to their divine missions, demonstrating the ultimate victory of God's purposes over human disgrace.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a></b><br>The prophet who is speaking in this verse. Known as the "weeping prophet," Jeremiah often expressed deep sorrow and lament over the state of Israel and his own personal suffering.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city where Jeremiah prophesied. It was a place of significant spiritual and political turmoil during his time.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylonian_exile.htm">Babylonian Exile</a></b><br>The impending event that Jeremiah often warned about, where the Israelites would be taken captive by Babylon due to their disobedience to God.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/p/pashhur.htm">Pashhur</a></b><br>A priest and chief officer in the temple who persecuted Jeremiah, leading to the prophet's lament in this chapter.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_womb.htm">The Womb</a></b><br>Symbolically represents the beginning of life, which Jeremiah questions due to the suffering he experiences.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_suffering.htm">The Reality of Suffering</a></b><br>Jeremiah's lament reminds us that even the faithful can experience deep sorrow and question their purpose. It is a part of the human condition and biblical account.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/honesty_in_prayer.htm">Honesty in Prayer</a></b><br>Jeremiah's raw expression of emotion teaches us that we can bring our deepest fears and questions to God without fear of rejection.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/purpose_in_pain.htm">Purpose in Pain</a></b><br>While Jeremiah questions his existence, his life and prophecies had a profound impact on Israel and the world. Our struggles can have a greater purpose in God's plan.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_amidst_despair.htm">Faith Amidst Despair</a></b><br>Despite his lament, Jeremiah continued to fulfill his prophetic mission. We are called to remain faithful even when we don't understand our circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_beyond_the_present.htm">Hope Beyond the Present</a></b><br>Jeremiah's account encourages us to look beyond our current suffering to the hope and restoration that God promises.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_jeremiah_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 20</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_jeremiah_20_14-18_a_contradiction.htm">Does Jeremiah's bitter lament in Jeremiah 20:14-18 contradict the portrayal of a steadfast prophet elsewhere in the book?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/lamentations_2_20__literal_or_metaphorical.htm">Lamentations 2:20 - Does the reference to horrific acts like eating one's own children indicate a literal event, and if so, how can such a command coexist with a just and loving God?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_jer._16_10-12_contradict_deut._24_16.htm">Jeremiah 16:10-12 implies children are punished for ancestors' sins--does this contradict Deuteronomy 24:16, where each person is held responsible only for their own sin?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_i_become_a_child_of_god.htm">Why do evil people succeed?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/jeremiah/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(18) <span class= "bld">Wherefore came I forth . . .?</span>--Like the preceding verse, this is in its tone, almost in its words, an echo of <a href="/context/job/3-11.htm" title="Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?">Job 3:11-12</a>; <a href="/job/3-20.htm" title="Why is light given to him that is in misery, and life to the bitter in soul;">Job 3:20</a>.<p><span class= "bld"><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/20-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Why</span><br /><span class="heb">לָ֤מָּה</span> <span class="translit">(lām·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">did I come out</span><br /><span class="heb">יָצָ֔אתִי</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ṣā·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, bring, out, direct and proxim</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the womb</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵרֶ֣חֶם</span> <span class="translit">(mê·re·ḥem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7358.htm">Strong's 7358: </a> </span><span class="str2">The womb </span><br /><br /><span class="word">to see</span><br /><span class="heb">לִרְא֥וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(lir·’ō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">only trouble</span><br /><span class="heb">עָמָ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·māl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5999.htm">Strong's 5999: </a> </span><span class="str2">Toil, wearing effort, worry, wheth, of body, mind</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and sorrow,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְיָג֑וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(wə·yā·ḡō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3015.htm">Strong's 3015: </a> </span><span class="str2">Grief, sorrow</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and to end</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּכְל֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiḵ·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3615.htm">Strong's 3615: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, or spent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my days</span><br /><span class="heb">יָמָֽי׃</span> <span class="translit">(yā·māy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in shame?</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּבֹ֖שֶׁת</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ḇō·šeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1322.htm">Strong's 1322: </a> </span><span class="str2">Shame, shameful thing</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/20-18.htm">Jeremiah 20:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/20-18.htm">Jeremiah 20:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/jeremiah/20-18.htm">Jeremiah 20:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/20-18.htm">Jeremiah 20:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/20-18.htm">Jeremiah 20:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/20-18.htm">Jeremiah 20:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/20-18.htm">Jeremiah 20:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/20-18.htm">Jeremiah 20:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/20-18.htm">Jeremiah 20:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/jeremiah/20-18.htm">Jeremiah 20:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/jeremiah/20-18.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 20:18 Why came I forth out (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/20-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 20:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 20:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/21-1.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 21:1"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 21:1" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>