Jeremiah 20:15Cursed is the man who brought news to my father, saying, A boy is born to you; making him very glad.
The setting
Jerusalem, ~605-586 BC. Jeremiah continues his raw lament, now attacking even the messenger who announced his birth to his father. Modern-day Israel, East Jerusalem.
The emotion here: rage mixed with despair, lashing out at innocent people
The original word
bāśar (בשׂר) — to bring good news, announce joyfully
Why it matters
Ancient birth announcements were formal declarations that determined inheritance rights
Read with care
What most readers miss in Jeremiah 20:15
He's not just depressed — he's angry that anyone ever celebrated his existence
Common misconceptionPeople think this is just poetic exaggeration. Jeremiah literally wished the birth announcement had never happened — he's having a complete breakdown.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Jeremiah 20:15
Bible Genome reading
Jeremiah 20:15 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Jeremiah 20:15 comes from the book of Jeremiah, written during the Divided Kingdom period. These words are attributed to Jeremiah. The dominant emotion in this verse is grieving, with a comfort power of 20% and a tone that is lamenting. It belongs to the psalm genre of biblical literature. Key themes include despair, birth announcement, prophetic anguish. Notable phrases: cursed is the man; brought news; a boy is born. This verse is a prayer.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same grieving
“By the sweat of your face will you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For you are dust, and to dust you…”
— Genesis 3:19
“Jesus wept.”
— John 11:35
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?”
— Psalms 22:1
“They divide my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing.”
— Psalms 22:18
“for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;”
— Romans 3:23
Your reflection
What does Jeremiah 20:15 mean to you, today?
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