Jeremiah 20:15Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Cursed is the husband. Are you asserting that the husband is cursed? Did he not recently declare, “The food of the wicked is rewarded for the good” (Jer. 18:20), and instead of upholding the good news, you accuse him of not taking a life? How can you then express discontent that the Jews seek your death? If it was commendable to die then, surely it is even more so after enduring trials and tribulations. Why will you not accept this? Do you recognize that lamenting lacks justification? Mourning serves a purpose; it reflects a troubled spirit, not one that has foresight, but rather a heart seeking to alleviate its burdens. (After saying a few words).

Cursed is the individual who informs my father, declaring, "A son will be born to you." The prophet was unaware if anyone had truly delivered this message to his father. As he lamented the day, he also denounced the messenger who might not have been present. Consequently, these expressions do not reveal a profound wrath within the prophet, for one cannot be indignant about what does not exist; rather, they reflect only a deep sorrow (just as those in significant grief often utter thoughtless and empty remarks, revealing merely their anguish). It is essential to reiterate a point made previously: what Jeremiah conveys here was likewise expressed by the righteous Job, of whom the Holy Spirit affirmed that he had not sinned nor spoken ill of God with his lips (Job 1:2). Numerous analogous sentiments are also present in the Psalms, inspired by the Holy Spirit, who taught and directed the prophet. The words of the prophet must not be confused with those of ordinary and ignorant individuals.

Cursed is the day I was brought into existence; the day my mother gave me life, let it not be blessed! Cursed be the man who brought the news to my father, saying, “A son is born to you,” and filled him with joy. May that man be like the cities that the Lord laid to waste without mercy; may he hear cries at dawn and weeping at midday, he who did not cause my death in the womb so that my mother might be a grave for me, and her womb be forever heavy with me. Why did I emerge from the womb, to experience toil and sorrow, and have my days filled with confusion? Those who maintain that souls resided in heaven and were cast down from a state of glory use such testimonies—arguing it is preferable to live in heaven than to endure the body of humiliation—to strengthen their misguided beliefs.

“Cursed is the day on which I came into existence: the day my mother gave me life.” (Jer. 20:15). “Cursed be the man who brings news to my father, saying, ‘You shall have a son’; let him not rejoice.” It is common for those overwhelmed by deep sorrow to lean on those nearby, holding tightly and sometimes causing them pain through their anguish; this was the experience of the Prophet. In his profound grief, he condemned the day—a mere concept—and the messenger who bore the tidings to his father, perhaps there was no one who conveyed this news. The Prophet laments that it would have been preferable for him to have perished (Jeremiah 20:17) “in his mother’s embrace” and to have been born lifeless than to endure such diverse miseries.