Jeremiah 15:16 Meaning and Explanation
“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Context of Jeremiah 15:16
This is part of one of Jeremiah's personal laments, where amid loneliness and opposition he recalls the gladness God's word once brought him.
What Does Jeremiah 15:16 Mean?
Jeremiah describes receiving God's words as eating them, and they became the joy and rejoicing of his heart. The image of eating God's words pictures more than reading; it is taking the message inside, making it part of oneself, drawing nourishment and strength from it. For Jeremiah, this internalized word became a delight, "the joy and rejoicing of mine heart." This is striking because the words he carried were often words of warning and grief. Yet because they came from God and connected him to God, they brought deep gladness even in hardship.
The reason for this joy is given at the end: "for I am called by thy name." Jeremiah belonged to God, bore His name, and so the word that came to him was a sign of relationship and honor. To feed on God's word is to feed on the One who speaks it. This verse models a posture every reader can adopt: not skimming Scripture for information, but consuming it as sustenance, letting it become the source of joy precisely because it ties the heart to God.
Jeremiah 15:16 in the Original Language
The phrase "I did eat them" uses akal, to eat or consume. "Joy" is sason and "rejoicing" is simchah, two words for gladness piled together to express overflowing delight.
Bible Verses Related to Jeremiah 15:16
“And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness.”
- Ezekiel 3:3
“How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”
- Psalms 119:103
“But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
- Matthew 4:4
How to Apply Jeremiah 15:16 Today
Approach Scripture as food to take in slowly rather than a chore to scan, letting God's words become a true source of joy and inner strength.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 15:16
What does Jeremiah 15:16 mean?
Jeremiah describes receiving God's words as eating them, and they became the joy and rejoicing of his heart. The image of eating God's words pictures more than reading; it is taking the message inside, making it part of oneself, drawing nourishment and strength from it. For Jeremiah, this internalized word became a delight, "the joy and rejoicing of mine heart." This is striking because the words he carried were often words of warning and grief. Yet because they came from God and connected him to God, they brought deep gladness even in hardship.
What is the context of Jeremiah 15:16?
This is part of one of Jeremiah's personal laments, where amid loneliness and opposition he recalls the gladness God's word once brought him.
How can I apply Jeremiah 15:16 today?
Approach Scripture as food to take in slowly rather than a chore to scan, letting God's words become a true source of joy and inner strength.