Jeremiah's anguish isn't just sorrow for impending doom; he feels filled to the brim with God's fury, a burden so heavy he's "weary of holding it in." This intense, almost physical, pressure reveals that the prophet isn't just relaying a message, but is being compelled by divine wrath itself to announce a judgment that spares absolutely no one, from the youngest child to the very oldest.
Therefore I am full of the wrath of the LORD; I am weary of holding it in. “Pour it out upon the children in the street, and upon the gatherings of young men, also; both husband and wife shall be taken, the elderly and the very aged.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jeremiah has just delivered a scathing prophecy against Judah, warning them that disaster is imminent because of their deep-seated corruption and refusal to repent. Now, he describes his inner turmoil, feeling so overwhelmed by God's impending wrath that he can no longer contain the message of judgment he must deliver to all people, young and old, sparing no one.
Jeremiah sounds like he's about to burst! What makes a prophet speak with such raw, overwhelming emotion, and how is it different from just being angry?
Jeremiah 6:11 reveals a prophet acting not on his own impulse, but as a vessel for God's intense displeasure.
A Loaded Vessel
He declares, "I am full of the fury of the LORD." This isn't just Jeremiah's personal anger; it's God's righteous indignation being impressed upon him. The original language suggests being "filled up" or "replete" with this divine wrath. He feels it intensely, like a physical burden.
Weary of Holding Back
The phrase "weary of holding it in" speaks to an immense internal struggle. It wasn't that Jeremiah wanted to unleash judgment, but the pressure of God's message was so great, and the people's sin so persistent, that he could no longer contain it. This isn't a malicious joy in destruction, but a profound sense of necessity and perhaps even sorrow, driven by the divine mandate.
Divine Impulsion
Scholars note that this vehemence comes from God's Spirit compelling the prophet. It's a holy zeal, a divine prompting that cannot be ignored. The prophet is a messenger, and the message itself is filled with God's own abhorrence of sin.
The judgment described here is sweeping and indiscriminate. Why would God's wrath fall so heavily on everyone, from the youngest child to the most aged?
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Jeremiah 6:11 paints a stark picture of comprehensive judgment, leaving no segment of society untouched.
The Innocence of Children Doesn't Exempt Them
Calling out "the children in the street" and "the gatherings of young men" emphasizes the widespread corruption. It wasn't just the leaders or the overtly sinful who were targeted, but even the youngest who, by their very presence in the tainted society, were implicated. Their innocence didn't shield them from the consequences of a nation's collective sin.
Maturity Offers No Protection
The inclusion of "husband and wife" and "the elderly and the very aged" shows that neither relational bonds nor the wisdom or feebleness of age provided immunity. Every stage of life, from playful youth to the brink of death, was subject to God's pronouncement of judgment.
A Desperate Situation
This comprehensive scope signals a societal breakdown so profound that a wholesale judgment was necessary. The sin had permeated all levels, indicating a deep-seated rebellion against God that left no group unaffected.
Understand the original words
chemah · Hebrew Noun
God's settled, righteous, and holy opposition to sin and rebellion. It is not an uncontrolled outburst of temper but a judicial response to human defiance against His covenant and character.
Jeremiah's prophecy of God's wrath, vividly described in this verse, was delivered during a period of escalating Babylonian imperial power that culminated in the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of its people. The prophecy's sweeping pronouncement of judgment on all ages and classes reflects the total devastation and loss of life that occurred during the final siege.
Late 8th Century BC
Assyrian Conquests
The Neo-Assyrian Empire under rulers like Tiglath-Pileser III and Sargon II expanded aggressively, conquering many nations and deporting populations. This set a precedent for large-scale exiles and instilled fear of imperial power.
626 BC
Nebuchadnezzar's Ascension
Nebuchadnezzar II became king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, marking the rise of a new imperial power that would soon clash with Judah and Egypt.
609 BC
Battle of Carchemish
Nebuchadnezzar decisively defeated the Egyptian and Assyrian forces. This victory established Babylonian dominance over the Near East and paved the way for their future campaigns against Judah.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem and deported a portion of the population, including notable figures like Daniel. This was the first of several exiles that would devastate Judah.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Following a rebellion, Jerusalem was besieged again, and King Jehoiachin along with many skilled craftsmen and leaders were exiled. This intensified the crisis for the people of Judah.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar's final campaign resulted in the complete destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple, with the majority of the remaining population exiled to Babylon. This event represents the culmination of the judgment Jeremiah proclaimed.
This passage speaks of God seeing no one to intercede and acting with His own arm, highlighting the divine initiative and power behind the judgment Jeremiah proclaims.
Ezekiel 3:3Similar to Jeremiah's experience, Ezekiel is commanded to eat a scroll filled with lamentations and woe, showing that prophets are often compelled to deliver difficult messages of judgment.
Jeremiah 20:9Jeremiah expresses a similar internal struggle of being compelled by God's word to prophesy, feeling 'burned up' and unable to hold back the message of judgment.
Zechariah 8:5This verse describes children playing safely in the streets, offering a stark contrast to the judgment described in Jeremiah 6:11 where the very same public spaces become scenes of destruction.
Revelation 16:1The imagery of God's wrath being 'poured out' is echoed in the New Testament, showing a consistent biblical theme of God's judgment being unleashed upon a rebellious world.
calvinJeremiah 6:11: "Therefore I am full of the fury of the LORD; I am weary with holding in: I will pour it out upon the children abroad, and upon the assembly of young men together: for even the husband with the wife shall be taken, the aged with him that is full of days."
- Therefore I am full of the fury of the Lord; I am weary with holding in: I will pour it out upon the children abroad, and upon the assembly of young men together: for even the husband with the wife shall be taken, the aged w…
pooleJeremiah 6:11: "Therefore I am full of the fury of the LORD; I am weary with holding in: I will pour it out upon the children abroad, and upon the assembly of young men together: for even the husband with the wife shall be taken, the aged with him that is full of days."
Therefore. Heb. And ; which seems to be a better connexion; for that which putteth him upon this work seems rather to be that Spirit of prophecy that is in him than any consideration drawn from them. I am full of the fury of the…
Jeremiah's anguish isn't just sorrow for impending doom; he feels filled to the brim with God's fury, a burden so heavy he's "weary of holding it in." This intense, almost physical, pressure reveals that the prophet isn't just relaying a message, but is being compelled by divine wrath itself to announce a judgment that spares absolutely no one, from the youngest child to the very oldest.
Jeremiah has just delivered a scathing prophecy against Judah, warning them that disaster is imminent because of their deep-seated corruption and refusal to repent. Now, he describes his inner turmoil, feeling so overwhelmed by God's impending wrath that he can no longer contain the message of judgment he must deliver to all people, young and old, sparing no one.
Jeremiah has just delivered a scathing prophecy against Judah, warning them that disaster is imminent because of their deep-seated corruption and refusal to repent. Now, he describes his inner turmoil, feeling so overwhelmed by God's impending wrath that he can no longer contain the message of judgment he must deliver to all people, young and old, sparing no one.
"Therefore I am full of the wrath of the LORD; I am weary of holding it in. “Pour it out upon the children in the street, and upon the gatherings of young men, also; both husband and wife shall be taken, the…" — Jeremiah's anguish isn't just sorrow for impending doom; he feels filled to the brim with God's fury, a burden so heavy he's "weary of holding it in." This intense, almost physical, pressure reveals…
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Last reviewed October 2026
