Jeremiah 20:10

KJV1611 – Modern English

For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, they say, and we will report it. All my familiar friends watched for my faltering, saying, Perhaps he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

כִּ֣י שָׁמַ֜עְתִּי דִּבַּ֣ת רַבִּים֮ מָג֣וֹר מִסָּבִיב֒ הַגִּ֙ידוּ֙ וְנַגִּידֶ֔נּוּ כֹּ֚ל אֱנ֣וֹשׁ שְׁלוֹמִ֔י שֹׁמְרֵ֖י צַלְעִ֑י אוּלַ֤י יְפֻתֶּה֙ וְנ֣וּכְלָה ל֔וֹ וְנִקְחָ֥ה נִקְמָתֵ֖נוּ מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃

Transliteration

For šāmaʿtî dibbat rabbîm, māgôr missābîb, haggîdû and wənaggîdennû, all ʾĕnôš šəlômî šōmərê ṣalʿî; perhaps yəputteh and wənûḵəlāh to him, and wəniqqəḥāh niqmātēnû from him.

Grammar Details

• *kî*: conjunction - for/because
• *šāmaʿtî*: qal perfect, 1st common singular - I have heard
• *dibbat*: noun, feminine singular construct - evil report of/slander of
• *rabbîm*: adjective, masculine plural - many
• *māgôr*: noun, masculine singular - terror
• *missābîb*: preposition + adverb - from around/all around
• *haggîdû*: hiphil imperative, masculine plural - declare/report
• *wənaggîdennû*: waw + hiphil imperfect, 1st common plural with 3rd masculine singular suffix - and we will report him
• *ʾĕnôš*: noun, masculine singular construct - man of
• *šəlômî*: noun, masculine singular construct with 1st common singular suffix - my peace
• *šōmərê*: qal participle, masculine plural construct - watchers of
• *ṣalʿî*: noun, feminine singular construct with 1st common singular suffix - my limping/stumbling
• *ʾûlay*: adverb - perhaps
• *yəputteh*: pual imperfect, 3rd masculine singular - he will be enticed
• *wənûḵəlāh*: waw + qal imperfect, 1st common plural - and we will prevail
• *wəniqqəḥāh*: waw + qal imperfect, 1st common plural cohortative - and let us take
• *niqmātēnû*: noun, feminine singular construct with 1st common plural suffix - our vengeance
• *mimmennû*: preposition with 3rd masculine singular suffix - from him

Word Meanings

• *dibbat*: evil report/slander/whispering
• *māgôr missābîb*: terror on every side/fear all around
• *ʾĕnôš šəlômî*: men of my peace/my friends/those at peace with me
• *šōmərê ṣalʿî*: watchers of my limping/those who watch for my fall/those observing my weakness
• *yəputteh*: he will be enticed/persuaded/deceived
• *wənûḵəlāh*: we will prevail/overcome/succeed against
• *niqmātēnû*: our vengeance/revenge/retribution

Other Translations

• Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

  I hear many whispering, 'Terror on every side! Report him! Let’s report him!' All my friends are waiting for me to slip, saying, 'Perhaps he will be deceived; then we will prevail over him and take our revenge on him.'

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  For I have heard{H8085} the defaming{H1681} of many,{H7227} terror{H4032} on every side.{H5439} Denounce,{H5046} and we will denounce{H5046} him, [say] all my familiar{H582} friends, they that watch{H8104} for my fall;{H6763} peradventure he will be persuaded,{H6601} and we shall prevail{H3201} against him, and we shall take{H3947} our revenge{H5360} on him.

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  For I heard{H8085}{(H8804)} the defaming{H1681} of many{H7227}, fear{H4032} on every side{H5439}. Report{H5046}{(H8685)}, say they, and we will report{H5046}{(H8686)} it. All my familiars{H582}{H7965} watched{H8104}{(H8802)} for my halting{H6763}{(H8676)}{H6761}, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed{H6601}{(H8792)}, and we shall prevail{H3201}{(H8799)} against him, and we shall take{H3947}{(H8799)} our revenge{H5360} on him.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  For why, I herde so many derisios and blasphemies, yee euen of myne owne companyons, and off soch as were conuersaunte with me: which wente aboute, to make me afrayed sayenge: vpon him, let vs go vpon him, to feare him, and make him holde his tonge: yt we maye ouercome him, and be avenged off him.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  For I had heard the railing of many, and feare on euery side. Declare, said they, and wee wil declare it: all my familiars watched for mine halting, saying, It may be that he is deceiued: so we shall preuaile against him, and we shal execute our vengeance vpon him.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  Ueryly I hearde the euyll reportes of many, terrour was on euery side of me: complayne vpon hym say they, and we wyll tell his tale: Yea all myne owne companions, and suche as were conuersaunt with me, lay in wayte for my halting, saying: peraduenture he wylbe deceaued, and so shall we preuayle against hym, and be auenged of hym.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, [say they], and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, [saying], Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  For I have heard the defaming of many, terror on every side. Denounce, and we will denounce him, [say] all my familiar friends, those who watch for my fall; peradventure he will be persuaded, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  For I have heard the evil report of many, Fear `is' round about: `Declare, and we declare it,' All mine allies are watching `for' my halting, `Perhaps he is enticed, and we prevail over him, And we take our vengeance out of him.'

• American Standard Version (1901)

  For I have heard the defaming of many, terror on every side. Denounce, and we will denounce him, `say' all my familiar friends, they that watch for my fall; peradventure he will be persuaded, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  For I have heard the defaming of many, terror on every side. Denounce, and we will denounce him, [say] all my familiar friends, they that watch for my fall; peradventure he will be persuaded, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  For numbers of them say evil secretly in my hearing (there is fear on every side): they say, Come, let us give witness against him; all my nearest friends, who are watching for my fall, say, It may be that he will be taken by deceit, and we will get the better of him and give him punishment.

• World English Bible (2000)

  For I have heard the defaming of many, terror on every side. Denounce, and we will denounce him, [say] all my familiar friends, those who watch for my fall; perhaps he will be persuaded, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  I hear many whispering words of intrigue against me. Those who would cause me terror are everywhere! They are saying,“Come on, let’s publicly denounce him!” All my so-called friends are just watching for something that would lead to my downfall. They say,“Perhaps he can be enticed into slipping up, so we can prevail over him and get our revenge on him.

Referenced Verses

• Ps 31:13 : 13 For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take my life.
• Ps 41:9 : 9 Yes, my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who ate of my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.
• Isa 29:21 : 21 That make a man an offender by a word, and lay a snare for him that reproves in the gate, and turn aside the just for a thing of nothing.
• 1 Kgs 19:2 : 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life like the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.
• Jer 18:18 : 18 Then said they, Come, and let us devise plans against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us attack him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.
• Ezek 22:9 : 9 In you are men that carry tales to shed blood: and in you they eat on the mountains: in the midst of you they commit lewdness.
• Neh 6:6-9 : 6 In which was written, It is reported among the nations, and Geshem says it, that you and the Jews plan to rebel: therefore you are building the wall, that you may be their king, according to these reports. 7 And you have also appointed prophets to announce concerning you at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now it shall be reported to the king according to these words. Come now, therefore, and let us take counsel together. 8 Then I sent to him, saying, No such things as you say are being done, but you invent them in your own heart. 9 For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands will be weakened from the work, so that it will not be done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands. 10 Afterward I came to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was confined; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to kill you; indeed, at night they will come to kill you. 11 And I said, Should a man like me flee? And who is there like me, who would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in. 12 And, indeed, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13 Therefore he was hired, that I should be afraid, and act that way, and sin, so they might have cause for an evil report, that they might reproach me.
• Job 19:19 : 19 All my close friends abhorred me; and those whom I loved have turned against me.
• Ps 64:2-4 : 2 Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked, from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity. 3 Who sharpen their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words. 4 That they may shoot in secret at the blameless; suddenly do they shoot at him and fear not.
• Prov 10:18 : 18 He who hides hatred with lying lips, and he who utters slander, is a fool.
• Ps 55:13-14 : 13 But it was you, a man my equal, my companion and my acquaintance. 14 We took sweet counsel together and walked to the house of God in company.
• Jer 6:25 : 25 Do not go forth into the field, nor walk by the way; for the sword of the enemy and fear is on every side.
• Luke 11:53-54 : 53 And as he said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to press him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things: 54 Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something from his mouth, that they might accuse him.
• Luke 12:52-53 : 52 For from now on there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. 53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
• Luke 20:20 : 20 And they watched him, and sent spies, who pretended to be righteous men, that they might trap him in his words, so they could deliver him to the power and authority of the governor.
• Acts 5:33 : 33 When they heard that, they were furious and took counsel to kill them.
• Acts 6:11-15 : 11 They secretly instigated men who said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God. 12 They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council. 13 They set up false witnesses who said, This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law. 14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses handed down to us. 15 All who sat in the council, looking intently at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.
• Acts 7:54 : 54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.
• Acts 23:12-15 : 12 And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. 13 And there were more than forty who formed this conspiracy. 14 They came to the chief priests and elders and said, We have bound ourselves under a great oath that we will eat nothing until we have killed Paul. 15 Now therefore, you with the council suggest to the chief captain that he bring him down to you tomorrow, as though you would inquire something more accurately about him; and we, before he comes near, are ready to kill him.
• Acts 24:1-9 : 1 And after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul. 2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and many worthy deeds are done for this nation by your providence, 3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 However, that I may not be further tedious to you, I beg you to hear us briefly in your kindness. 5 For we have found this man to be a pestilent fellow, and a creator of discord among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: 6 Who also attempted to desecrate the temple: whom we seized, and would have judged according to our law. 7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great force took him away out of our hands, 8 Commanding his accusers to come before you: by examining of whom you yourself may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him. 9 And the Jews also agreed, saying that these things were true.
• Acts 24:13 : 13 Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me.
• Ps 57:4 : 4 My soul is among lions, and I lie among those who are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
• 1 Kgs 21:20 : 20 And Ahab said to Elijah, Have you found me, O my enemy? And he answered, I have found you: because you have sold yourself to work evil in the sight of the LORD.
• 1 Kgs 22:8 : 8 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the Lord: but I hate him; for he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.
• 1 Kgs 22:27 : 27 And say, Thus says the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace.
• Matt 26:59-60 : 59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false testimony against Jesus, to put him to death; 60 But found none: yes, though many false witnesses came, yet they found none. At last came two false witnesses,
• Mark 6:19-28 : 19 Therefore Herodias held a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him; but she could not: 20 For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. 21 And when a convenient day came, that Herod on his birthday made a supper for his lords, high captains, and chief men of Galilee; 22 And when the daughter of Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, Ask of me whatever you wish, and I will give it to you. 23 And he swore to her, Whatever you ask of me, I will give it to you, up to half of my kingdom. 24 And she went out, and said to her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist. 25 And she came in straightway with haste to the king, and asked, saying, I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist. 26 And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet because of his oath's sake, and for the sakes of those who sat with him, he would not refuse her. 27 And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 And brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl: and the girl gave it to her mother.