Jeremiah 20:18 Meaning and Explanation
“Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jeremiah questions why he was born only to experience suffering and shame.
The Context of Jeremiah 20:18
The chapter closes with Jeremiah's ultimate lament: questioning why he was born into such suffering and shame.
What Does Jeremiah 20:18 Mean?
The chapter concludes with Jeremiah's final lament—a rhetorical question that frames his entire existence as inexplicable tragedy. Why emerge into consciousness only to encounter labor and sorrow? Why endure days consumed with shame? The question receives no answer in this moment, standing as the raw expression of a man whose faithfulness has cost him everything visible and tangible.
Yet the question, while unanswered, is asked to God. Jeremiah does not abandon his relationship with God despite the pain. He speaks his despair fully, holding nothing back, trusting that God can bear the weight of his grief. The chapter ends not with resolution but with honest, terrible questioning—the beginning point for any faith that must pass through profound suffering.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 20:18
What does Jeremiah 20:18 mean?
Jeremiah questions why he was born only to experience suffering and shame.
What is the context of Jeremiah 20:18?
The chapter closes with Jeremiah's ultimate lament: questioning why he was born into such suffering and shame.