Jeremiah 4:19 Meaning and Explanation
“My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jeremiah cries out in physical and emotional pain at the news of coming war and judgment.
The Context of Jeremiah 4:19
This is Jeremiah's personal response to the vision of destruction he is called to proclaim; his bowels are moved, his whole body wracked with sorrow.
What Does Jeremiah 4:19 Mean?
'My bowels, my bowels!'--the repetition is not poetry but a cry, a groan. In Hebrew thought, the bowels (the intestines, the seat of emotion) contain the deepest feeling. Jeremiah hears the trumpet of war, the alarm, and his very insides are torn with grief. He cannot keep silent; he cannot hold back; the knowledge he bears burns in him like fire. This is what it costs to carry God's word of judgment.
We see in this the heart of the prophetic calling: not detachment from suffering, but the deepest involvement in it. Jeremiah grieves because he loves the people he must rebuke. His anguish becomes his credential, proof that he speaks not from hatred but from a love that has been wounded by the need to speak hard truth.
Jeremiah 4:19 in the Original Language
my bowels (me'ai)--the Hebrew word for the viscera, the innermost organs; used metaphorically for the seat of emotion, longing, and compassion.
How to Apply Jeremiah 4:19 Today
Compassion should move us to action, even when the action is difficult or unpopular. Jeremiah's tears validate his message.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 4:19
What does Jeremiah 4:19 mean?
Jeremiah cries out in physical and emotional pain at the news of coming war and judgment.
What is the context of Jeremiah 4:19?
This is Jeremiah's personal response to the vision of destruction he is called to proclaim; his bowels are moved, his whole body wracked with sorrow.
How can I apply Jeremiah 4:19 today?
Compassion should move us to action, even when the action is difficult or unpopular. Jeremiah's tears validate his message.