Jeremiah 4:19

“My bowels, my bowels, etc.] These are either the words of the people, unto whose heart the calamity reached, as in the preceding verse; or rather of the prophet, who either, from a sympathizing heart, expresses himself in this manner; or puts on an appearance of mourning and distress, in order to awaken his people to a sense of their condition. The repetition of the word is after the manner of persons in pain and uneasiness, as, “my head, my head”, (<120419>2 Kings 4:19): I am pained at my very heart; as a woman in labour. In the Hebrew text it is, “as the walls of my heart”f101; meaning either his bowels, as before; or the “praecordia”, the parts about the heart, which are as walls unto it;…”

“The prophet suddenly assumes the language of the Jewish state personified, lamenting its affliction (Jer 10:19-20; Jer 9:1, Jer 9:10; Isa 15:5; compare Luk 19:41). at my very heart--Hebrew, "at the walls of my heart"; the muscles round the heart. There is a climax, the "bowels," the pericardium, the "heart" itself. maketh . . . noise--moaneth [HENDERSON]. alarm--the battle shout.”

“The verse is best translated as a series of ejaculations, in which the people express their grief at the ravages committed by the enemy: “My bowels! My bowels!” I writhe in pain! The walls of my heart! “My heart” moans for me! I cannot keep silence! For “thou hast heard, O my soul,” the trumpet’s voice! “The alarm of war!” return to 'Top of Page'”

“My bowels - Here begins the complaint of the prophet. My heart - Is disturbed within me. Because - I have heard in the spirit of prophecy; it is as certain, as if I now heard the trumpet sounding. Jeremiah 4:20”

“4:19-21 When Jeremiah heard . . . trumpets and the battle cries of the invaders who brought desolation, he realized that his own family and other people he knew were being killed or left homeless. Jeremiah could not escape the effects of God’s judgment even though he was faithfully serving the Lord (9:1, 19; 10:19-20; 20:9; 2 Kgs 25:11; 2 Chr 36:20; Ps 42:7; Isa 15:5; 16:11; 21:3; 22:4; Ezek 7:26).”

“My bowels: Jer 9:1, Jer 9:10, Jer 13:17, Jer 14:17, Jer 14:18, Jer 23:9, Jer 48:31, Jer 48:32; Psa 119:53, Psa 119:136; Isa 15:5; Isa 16:11, Isa 21:3, Isa 22:4; Lam 1:16, Lam 2:11, Lam 3:48-51; Dan 7:15, Dan 7:28, Dan 8:27; Hab 3:16; Luk 19:41, Luk 19:42; Rom 9:2, Rom 9:3, Rom 10:1; Gal 4:19 my very: Heb. the walls of my O my: Gen 49:6; Jdg 5:21; Psa 16:2, Psa 42:5, Psa 42:6, Psa 103:1, Psa 116:7, Psa 146:1 sound: Jer 4:5, Jer 4:21; Amo 3:6; Zep 1:15, Zep 1:16 Jeremiah 4:20”

“Grief at the desolation of the land the infatuation of the people. - Jer 4:19. "My bowels, my bowels! I am pained! the chambers of my heart - my heart rages within me! I cannot hold my peace! for thou hearest (the) sound of the trumpet, my soul, (the) war-cry. Jer 4:20. Destruction upon destruction is called; for spoiled is the whole land; suddenly are my tents spoiled, my curtains in a moment. Jer 4:21. How long shall I see (the) standard, hear (the) sound of the trumpet? Jer 4:22. For my people is foolish, me they know not; senseless children are they, and without understanding; wise are they to do evil, but to do good they know not. Jer 4:23. I look on the earth, and, lo, it is waste and…”