Jeremiah 20:14 Meaning and Explanation
“Cursed be the day wherein I was born: let not the day wherein my mother bare me be blessed.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jeremiah curses the day of his birth, wishing it had never been blessed.
The Context of Jeremiah 20:14
The lament deepens as Jeremiah expresses his wish that he had never been born.
What Does Jeremiah 20:14 Mean?
The poem swings back to profound despair and disillusionment. After verses of confidence and praise, Jeremiah returns to his deepest pain—a return to the lament that began in verse 7. He curses not God but existence itself, expressing a depth of anguish that makes him wish he had never been born. This is the voice of someone for whom the cost of faithfulness feels unbearable.
The curse on his birthday is not a flippant statement but a crystallization of cumulative suffering. Each day of mockery, each moment of isolation, each memory of being beaten and imprisoned—all of it coalesces into a wish that this life had never begun. Yet this too is spoken to God, not away from Him.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 20:14
What does Jeremiah 20:14 mean?
Jeremiah curses the day of his birth, wishing it had never been blessed.
What is the context of Jeremiah 20:14?
The lament deepens as Jeremiah expresses his wish that he had never been born.