New International Version Why did I ever come out of the womb to see trouble and sorrow and to end my days in shame? New Living Translation Why was I ever born? My entire life has been filled with trouble, sorrow, and shame. English Standard Version Why did I come out from the womb to see toil and sorrow, and spend my days in shame? Berean Standard Bible Why did I come out of the womb to see only trouble and sorrow, and to end my days in shame? Berean Literal Bible Why is this—that from the womb I came forth to see trouble and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame? King James Bible Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame? New King James Version Why did I come forth from the womb to see labor and sorrow, That my days should be consumed with shame? New American Standard Bible Why did I ever come out of the womb To look at trouble and sorrow, So that my days have been spent in shame? NASB 1995 Why did I ever come forth from the womb To look on trouble and sorrow, So that my days have been spent in shame? NASB 1977 Why did I ever come forth from the womb To look on trouble and sorrow, So that my days have been spent in shame? Legacy Standard Bible Why did I ever come forth from the womb To look on trouble and sorrow, So that my days have been spent in shame? Amplified Bible Why did I come out of the womb To see trouble and sorrow, So that my days have been filled with shame? Berean Annotated Bible Why did I come out of the womb to see only trouble and sorrow, and to end my days in shame? Christian Standard Bible Why did I come out of the womb to see only struggle and sorrow, to end my life in shame? Holman Christian Standard Bible Why did I come out of the womb to see only struggle and sorrow, to end my life in shame? American Standard Version Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labor and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame? Contemporary English Version Why did I have to be born? Was it just to suffer and die in shame? English Revised Version Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame? GOD'S WORD® Translation Why did I come out of the womb? All I've seen is trouble and grief. I will finish my days in shame. Good News Translation Why was I born? Was it only to have trouble and sorrow, to end my life in disgrace? International Standard Version Why did I ever come out of the womb to see trouble and sorrow, and to finish my life living in shame? NET Bible Why did I ever come forth from my mother's womb? All I experience is trouble and grief, and I spend my days in shame. New Heart English Bible Why came I forth out of the womb to see labor and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame? Webster's Bible Translation Why was I brought into the world to see labor and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWhy did I come out of the womb to see only trouble and sorrow, and to end my days in shame? World English Bible Why did I come out of the womb to see labor and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame? Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionWhy [is] this? I have come out from the womb "" To see labor and sorrow, "" Indeed, my days are consumed in shame! Berean Literal Bible Why is this—that from the womb I came forth to see trouble and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame? Young's Literal Translation Why is this? from the womb I have come out, To see labour and sorrow, Yea, consumed in shame are my days! Smith's Literal Translation Wherefore this came I forth from the womb to see labor and sorrow, and my days shall be finished with shame? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWhy came I out of the womb, to see labour and sorrow, and that my days should be spent in confusion? Catholic Public Domain Version Why did I depart from the womb, so that I would see hardship and sorrow, and so that my days would be consumed by trouble?” New American Bible Why did I come forth from the womb, to see sorrow and pain, to end my days in shame? New Revised Standard Version Why did I come forth from the womb to see toil and sorrow, and spend my days in shame? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWhy did I come forth out of the womb to see toil and sorrow? My days are spent in shame. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Why have I proceeded from the womb to see labor and misery, and my days are finished in shame?” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Wherefore came I forth out of the womb To see labour and sorrow, That my days should be consumed in shame? Brenton Septuagint Translation Why is it that I came forth of the womb to see troubles and distresses, and my days are spent in shame? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Jeremiah's Complaint…17because he did not kill me in the womb so that my mother might have been my grave, and her womb forever enlarged. 18Why did I come out of the womb to see only trouble and sorrow, and to end my days in shame? Cross References Why did I come out of the womb Job 10:18-19 Why then did You bring me from the womb? Oh, that I had died, and no eye had seen me! / If only I had never come to be, but had been carried from the womb to the grave. Job 3:11 Why did I not perish at birth; why did I not die as I came from the womb? Job 3:1-3 After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. / And this is what he said: / “May the day of my birth perish, and the night it was said, ‘A boy is conceived.’ to see only trouble and sorrow, Job 14:1 “Man, who is born of woman, is short of days and full of trouble. Ecclesiastes 2:23 Indeed, all his days are filled with grief, and his task is sorrowful; even at night, his mind does not rest. This too is futile. Psalm 90:10 The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty if we are strong—yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. and to end my days in shame? Psalm 69:19 You know my reproach, my shame and disgrace. All my adversaries are before You. Psalm 44:15 All day long my disgrace is before me, and shame has covered my face, Job 10:15 If I am guilty, woe to me! And even if I am righteous, I cannot lift my head. I am full of shame and aware of my affliction. Ecclesiastes 4:2-3 So I admired the dead, who had already died, above the living, who are still alive. / But better than both is he who has not yet existed, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun. Job 3:20-23 Why is light given to the miserable, and life to the bitter of soul, / who long for death that does not come, and search for it like hidden treasure, / who rejoice and greatly exult when they reach the grave? … Job 7:16 I loathe my life! I would not live forever. Leave me alone, for my days are but a breath. Job 17:13-16 If I look for Sheol as my home, if I spread out my bed in darkness, / and say to corruption, ‘You are my father,’ and to the worm, ‘My mother,’ or ‘My sister,’ / where then is my hope? Who can see any hope for me? … Job 21:7-15 Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power? / Their descendants are established around them, and their offspring before their eyes. / Their homes are safe from fear; no rod of punishment from God is upon them. … Psalm 88:3-6 For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol. / I am counted among those descending to the Pit. I am like a man without strength. / I am forsaken among the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom You remember no more, who are cut off from Your care. … Psalm 39:4-5 “Show me, O LORD, my end and the measure of my days. Let me know how fleeting my life is. / You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath. Selah Treasury of Scripture Why came I forth out of the womb to see labor and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame? came. Job 3:20 Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul; Job 14:1,13 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble… Lamentations 3:1 I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath. to see. Jeremiah 8:18 When I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me. Genesis 3:16-19 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee… Psalm 90:10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. with. Psalm 69:19 Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee. Isaiah 1:6 From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment. Isaiah 61:7 For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them. Jump to Previous Body Consumed End Forth Labor Mother's Pain Shame Sorrow Spend Spent Toil Trouble Wherefore Womb WorldJump to Next Body Consumed End Forth Labor Mother's Pain Shame Sorrow Spend Spent Toil Trouble Wherefore Womb WorldJeremiah 20 1. Pashur, smiting Jeremiah, receives a new name, and a fearful doom.7. Jeremiah complains of contempt; 10. of treachery; 14. and of his birth. Why did I come out of the womb Jeremiah’s lament follows his beating and public humiliation by Pashhur. Though called by God from before birth, he struggled under the cost of proclaiming judgment to Judah. Job 10:18-19 Why then did You bring me from the womb?… to see only trouble and sorrow, His ministry brought opposition, ridicule, imprisonment, and rejection from the people he warned. The burden of announcing God’s coming judgment left him deeply grieved. Job 14:1 “Man, who is born of woman, is short of days…”… and to end my days in shame? Jeremiah feared that public scorn would mark his life to its end. His complaint reveals the anguish of a faithful prophet suffering for delivering God’s message. Psa 69:19 You know my reproach, my shame and disgrace.… Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahThe prophet who is speaking in this verse. Known as the "weeping prophet," Jeremiah often expressed deep sorrow and lament over the state of Israel and his own personal suffering. 2. Jerusalem The city where Jeremiah prophesied. It was a place of significant spiritual and political turmoil during his time. 3. Babylonian Exile The impending event that Jeremiah often warned about, where the Israelites would be taken captive by Babylon due to their disobedience to God. 4. Pashhur A priest and chief officer in the temple who persecuted Jeremiah, leading to the prophet's lament in this chapter. 5. The Womb Symbolically represents the beginning of life, which Jeremiah questions due to the suffering he experiences. Teaching Points The Reality of SufferingJeremiah's lament reminds us that even the faithful can experience deep sorrow and question their purpose. It is a part of the human condition and biblical account. Honesty in Prayer Jeremiah's raw expression of emotion teaches us that we can bring our deepest fears and questions to God without fear of rejection. Purpose in Pain While Jeremiah questions his existence, his life and prophecies had a profound impact on Israel and the world. Our struggles can have a greater purpose in God's plan. Faith Amidst Despair Despite his lament, Jeremiah continued to fulfill his prophetic mission. We are called to remain faithful even when we don't understand our circumstances. Hope Beyond the Present Jeremiah's account encourages us to look beyond our current suffering to the hope and restoration that God promises. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 20:18?2. How does Jeremiah 20:18 reflect struggles faced by believers today? 3. What can we learn from Jeremiah's lament about God's purpose for our lives? 4. How does Jeremiah 20:18 connect with Romans 8:28 on God's plan? 5. How can we find hope in God's promises despite feelings like Jeremiah's? 6. What practical steps can we take when questioning our purpose like Jeremiah? 7. Why did Jeremiah curse the day of his birth in Jeremiah 20:18? 8. How does Jeremiah 20:18 reflect on the value of life? 9. What historical context led to Jeremiah's lament in Jeremiah 20:18? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 20? (18) Wherefore came I forth . . .?--Like the preceding verse, this is in its tone, almost in its words, an echo of Job 3:11-12; Job 3:20. Jeremiah 20:18 records a faithful prophet at his lowest ebb, voicing the anguish of a life spent confronting sin in a hostile culture. He wonders why he was born, seeing only relentless trouble and anticipating a shameful end. Scripture responds on three levels: God ordained Jeremiah’s birth and ours; trouble is real yet never unaccompanied by divine comfort; and apparent shame will be overturned in God’s final vindication. Honest lament, endured in faith, becomes another way God proves His steadfast love and ultimate triumph. Jeremiah 20:18 NIV |
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