Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Cursed be the man who brought my father the news, who made him very glad, saying, “A child is born to you—a son!” New Living Translation I curse the messenger who told my father, “Good news—you have a son!” English Standard Version Cursed be the man who brought the news to my father, “A son is born to you,” making him very glad. Berean Standard Bible Cursed be the man who brought my father the news, saying, “A son is born to you,” bringing him great joy. King James Bible Cursed be the man who brought tidings to my father, saying, A man child is born unto thee; making him very glad. New King James Version Let the man be cursed Who brought news to my father, saying, “A male child has been born to you!” Making him very glad. New American Standard Bible Cursed be the man who brought the news To my father, saying, “A boy has been born to you!” And made him very happy. NASB 1995 Cursed be the man who brought the news To my father, saying, “A baby boy has been born to you!” And made him very happy. NASB 1977 Cursed be the man who brought the news To my father, saying, “A baby boy has been born to you!” And made him very happy. Legacy Standard Bible Cursed be the man who brought the good news To my father, saying, “A baby boy has been born to you!” And made him very glad. Amplified Bible Cursed be the man who brought the news To my father, saying, “A son has been born to you!” Making him very glad. Christian Standard Bible May the man be cursed who brought the news to my father, saying, “A male child is born to you,” bringing him great joy. Holman Christian Standard Bible May the man be cursed who brought the news to my father, saying, “A male child is born to you,” bringing him great joy. American Standard Version Cursed be the man who brought tidings to my father, saying, A man-child is born unto thee; making him very glad. Contemporary English Version Put a curse on the man who told my father, "Good news! You have a son." English Revised Version Cursed be the man who brought tidings to my father, saying, A man child is born unto thee; making him very glad. GOD'S WORD® Translation Cursed is the man who made my father very happy with the news that he had just become the father of a baby boy. Good News Translation Curse the one who made my father glad by bringing him the news, "It's a boy! You have a son!" International Standard Version Cursed is the person who brought the good news to my father, "A baby boy has been born to you," making him very happy. NET Bible Cursed be the man who made my father very glad when he brought him the news that a baby boy had been born to him! New Heart English Bible Cursed is the man who brought news to my father, saying, A boy is born to you; making him very glad. Webster's Bible Translation Cursed be the man who brought tidings to my father, saying, A male child is born to thee; making him very glad. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleCursed be the man who brought my father the news, saying, “A son is born to you,” bringing him great joy. World English Bible Cursed is the man who brought news to my father, saying, “A boy is born to you,” making him very glad. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionCursed [is] the man who bore tidings [to] my father, "" Saying, “A male child has been born to you,” "" Making him very glad! Young's Literal Translation Cursed is the man who bore tidings to my father, saying, 'Born to thee hath been a child -- a male,' Making him very glad! Smith's Literal Translation Cursed the man who announced to my father, Good news; saying, A son, a male was born to thee; with rejoicing, making him rejoice. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleCursed be the man that brought the tidings to my father, saying: A man child is born to thee: and made him greatly rejoice. Catholic Public Domain Version Cursed is the man who announced it to my father, saying, ‘A male child has been born to you,’ causing him to rejoice with gladness. New American Bible Cursed be the one who brought the news to my father, “A child, a son, has been born to you!” filling him with great joy. New Revised Standard Version Cursed be the man who brought the news to my father, saying, “A child is born to you, a son,” making him very glad. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleCursed be the man who brought tidings to my father, saying, A son is born to you, making him very glad. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Cursed is the man who brought news to my father and said to him “A son is born to you!”, and announced news of his joy with rejoicing! OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Cursed be the man who brought tidings To my father, saying: 'A man-child is born unto thee'; Making him very glad. Brenton Septuagint Translation Cursed be the man who brought the glad tidings to my father, saying, A male child is born to thee. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jeremiah's Complaint…14Cursed be the day I was born! May the day my mother bore me never be blessed. 15Cursed be the man who brought my father the news, saying, “A son is born to you,” bringing him great joy. 16May that man be like the cities that the LORD overthrew without compassion. May he hear an outcry in the morning and a battle cry at noon,… Cross References Job 3:3 “May the day of my birth perish, and the night it was said, ‘A boy is conceived.’ Job 3:11 Why did I not perish at birth; why did I not die as I came from the womb? Job 3:16 Or why was I not hidden like a stillborn child, like an infant who never sees daylight? 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 14:1 “Man, who is born of woman, is short of days and full of trouble. Ecclesiastes 4:3 But better than both is he who has not yet existed, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun. Ecclesiastes 6:3 A man may father a hundred children and live for many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he is unsatisfied with his prosperity and does not even receive a proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. Isaiah 13:18 Their bows will dash young men to pieces; they will have no mercy on the fruit of the womb; they will not look with pity on the children. Isaiah 47:9 These two things will overtake you in a moment, in a single day: loss of children, and widowhood. They will come upon you in full measure, in spite of your many sorceries and the potency of your spells. Lamentations 2:22 You summoned my terrors on every side, as for the day of an appointed feast. In the day of the LORD’s anger no one escaped or survived; my enemy has destroyed those I nurtured and reared. Matthew 26:24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed. It would be better for him if he had not been born.” Mark 14:21 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” Luke 1:14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth, Luke 23:29 Look, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore, and breasts that never nursed!’ John 16:21 A woman has pain in childbirth because her time has come; but when she brings forth her child, she forgets her anguish because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. Treasury of Scripture Cursed be the man who brought tidings to my father, saying, A man child is born to you; making him very glad. A man. Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Genesis 21:5,6 And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him… Luke 1:14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. Jump to Previous Baby Bore Born Boy Child Curse Cursed Glad Happy Making Male Man-Child News TidingsJump to Next Baby Bore Born Boy Child Curse Cursed Glad Happy Making Male Man-Child News TidingsJeremiah 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. Cursed be the man who brought my father the news This phrase reflects Jeremiah's deep anguish and despair. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, messengers often brought news of significant events, and the birth of a son was typically a cause for celebration. Jeremiah's curse on the messenger highlights his intense personal suffering and the reversal of expected joy. This sentiment echoes Job's lament in Job 3:3, where he curses the day of his birth, illustrating a profound sense of hopelessness. saying, “A son is born to you,” bringing him great joy. Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahThe prophet who is expressing his deep anguish and despair in this passage. He is known for his prophecies of judgment and his personal struggles with his calling. 2. The Messenger The unnamed man who brought the news of Jeremiah's birth to his father. In this context, he becomes a symbol of the unwanted circumstances of Jeremiah's life. 3. Jeremiah's Father Though not named in this verse, he is the recipient of the news of Jeremiah's birth, which initially brought him joy. 4. Jeremiah's Birth The event being referenced, which is ironically lamented by Jeremiah due to the suffering he has experienced in his prophetic ministry. 5. The City of Anathoth Jeremiah's hometown, which provides context for his early life and the initial joy surrounding his birth. Teaching Points The Reality of Despair in MinistryEven the most faithful servants of God, like Jeremiah, can experience deep despair and question their purpose. This reminds us that feelings of discouragement are not uncommon in the Christian walk. The Sovereignty of God in Our Lives Despite Jeremiah's lament, God's purpose for his life was established before his birth. This teaches us to trust in God's sovereignty, even when we do not understand our circumstances. The Importance of Honest Prayer Jeremiah's raw honesty before God is a model for us. We are encouraged to bring our true feelings and struggles to God in prayer, knowing He can handle our deepest emotions. The Joy and Pain of God's Calling The initial joy of Jeremiah's birth contrasts with his later suffering, illustrating that God's calling can bring both joy and challenges. We should be prepared for both as we follow God's will. The Role of Community in Times of Despair Jeremiah's lament highlights the need for support and encouragement from others. As believers, we should seek to be a source of comfort and strength for those in despair. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 20:15?2. How does Jeremiah 20:15 reflect Jeremiah's emotional state and struggles with God's calling? 3. What can we learn about expressing emotions to God from Jeremiah 20:15? 4. How does Jeremiah 20:15 connect to other instances of lament in the Bible? 5. In what ways can Jeremiah's honesty in 20:15 guide our prayer life today? 6. How can understanding Jeremiah 20:15 help us support others in spiritual distress? 7. Why does Jeremiah curse the day of his birth in Jeremiah 20:15? 8. How does Jeremiah 20:15 reflect the prophet's emotional state? 9. What historical context influenced Jeremiah's lament in Jeremiah 20:15? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 20? 11. Why did Jesus curse the fig tree? 12. What does being Christ's ambassador entail? 13. What are the main themes of the Bible's books? 14. What will happen to the righteous and the wicked? What Does Jeremiah 20:15 Mean Cursed be the manJeremiah erupts with a curse, echoing the lament of Job (Job 3:1–3). • After public humiliation and beating (Jeremiah 20:1–2), the prophet is overwhelmed. His words are not doctrinal statements about cursing but the raw vocabulary of suffering (cf. Psalm 22:1). • Scripture preserves these cries to show that even the most faithful can feel crushed (2 Corinthians 1:8–9). • The contrast is stark: Jeremiah had once blessed the nations through his preaching (Jeremiah 1:5–10); now he wishes judgment on a single messenger. who brought my father the news • In ancient culture a family servant or relative would hurry to the father with birth news (Genesis 29:12; Isaiah 52:7). • Jeremiah targets that nameless runner as a symbol of the circumstances that ushered him into a life of misery and rejection (Jeremiah 15:10). • Though his words seem harsh, the focus is not on personal vengeance but on the bitter irony that the very announcement intended to spark celebration feels, in hindsight, like the starting gun for a lifetime of pain. saying, “A son is born to you,” • The birth of a son carried weight: continuation of the family line, economic help, and covenant promise (Psalm 127:3–5). • Prophets often used birth imagery—sometimes hopeful (Isaiah 9:6), sometimes sorrowful (Hosea 9:11). Jeremiah twists the customary phrase into a lament, turning the expected blessing into a perceived curse. • His cry foreshadows another Man of Sorrows who would be “despised and rejected” from birth onward (Isaiah 53:3; Matthew 2:13). bringing him great joy • A father’s delight at a child’s arrival is normal and God-given (Proverbs 23:24; John 16:21). • Jeremiah’s grief is intensified because his father’s joy stands in painful contrast to the prophet’s lived reality of scorn, imprisonment, and threats (Jeremiah 18:18; 38:6). • The verse underlines how sin-ravaged circumstances can twist even life’s brightest moments into occasions for anguish, yet it also points to the ultimate reversal when God wipes every tear (Revelation 21:4). summary Jeremiah 20:15 captures a faithful servant at the end of his rope. He pours out a passionate, hyperbolic curse on the messenger who once thrilled his father with news of his birth. The verse is not a theological mandate to curse but a window into human frailty. It underscores three truths: life in a fallen world can make even joyous events feel bitter; God allows His children to voice honest pain; and such cries ultimately drive us to the One who redeems sorrow and ensures that every announcement of life becomes eternal good news in Christ. (15) Making him very glad.--The memory, or rather the thought of that day, the joy of father and another when their child was born (John 16:21) was wanted, as in the irony of destiny, to add the keenest pang to the misery of the present. The "sorrow's crown of sorrow" was found in remembering happier days. We note the same tenderness turned to bitterness as in Jeremiah 15:10. The day of his birth was to him a day of darkness and not of light.Hebrew Cursed beאָר֣וּר (’ā·rūr) Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular Strong's 779: To execrate the man הָאִ֗ישׁ (hā·’îš) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person who אֲשֶׁ֨ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that brought בִּשַּׂ֤ר (biś·śar) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1319: To be fresh, full, cheerful), to announce my father {the news}, אָבִי֙ (’ā·ḇî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 1: Father saying, לֵאמֹ֔ר (lê·mōr) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 559: To utter, say “A son זָכָ֑ר (zā·ḵār) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2145: Remembered, a male is born יֻֽלַּד־ (yul·laḏ-) Verb - QalPass - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage to you,” לְךָ֖ (lə·ḵā) Preposition | second person masculine singular Strong's Hebrew bringing him great joy. שַׂמֵּ֖חַ (śam·mê·aḥ) Verb - Piel - Infinitive absolute Strong's 8056: Glad, joyful, merry Links Jeremiah 20:15 NIVJeremiah 20:15 NLT Jeremiah 20:15 ESV Jeremiah 20:15 NASB Jeremiah 20:15 KJV Jeremiah 20:15 BibleApps.com Jeremiah 20:15 Biblia Paralela Jeremiah 20:15 Chinese Bible Jeremiah 20:15 French Bible Jeremiah 20:15 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Jeremiah 20:15 Cursed be the man who brought news (Jer.) |
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