Jeremiah 20:17 Meaning and Explanation
“Because he slew me not from the womb; or that my mother might have been my grave, and her womb to be always great with me.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jeremiah wishes he had been killed in the womb or that his mother's womb had been his grave.
The Context of Jeremiah 20:17
Jeremiah expresses his deepest wish: that he had died in the womb rather than be born.
What Does Jeremiah 20:17 Mean?
The ultimate expression of despair: Jeremiah wishes for death before birth or in the womb itself. The image of his mother's womb as a grave encapsulates his desire to have never lived as a conscious, suffering being. This is not momentary despair but existential rejection—he sees his entire life, from conception forward, as a mistake to be undone.
This verse represents the nadir of Jeremiah's emotional journey in this chapter. He cannot return to his former life of hope because he has already been marked by suffering. Death itself becomes preferable to continued existence. Yet even this raw wish is expressed within prayer, within his relationship with God.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 20:17
What does Jeremiah 20:17 mean?
Jeremiah wishes he had been killed in the womb or that his mother's womb had been his grave.
What is the context of Jeremiah 20:17?
Jeremiah expresses his deepest wish: that he had died in the womb rather than be born.