Bible Commentaries
Jeremiah 14

Verse 1

Jeremiah's Tenth Prophecy (see book comments for Jeremiah).

The word, &c. = That which proved to be the word of Jehovah. Not the usual phrase in the Hebrew.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

the dearth. Hebrew " the restraints" : the holding back of rain, put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the famine caused by it. One of thirteen recorded famines. See Genesis 12:10 . Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:23 , Deuteronomy 28:24 ). App-92 . Before the first siege (497 BC), or before the third siege (480 BC). See App-83 .

Verse 2

Judah . . . Jerusalem. Country and city.

gates. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), for the people assembling there.

are black = sit in black. Compare Jeremiah 8:21 ; Jeremiah 13:18 . Job 2:8 , Job 2:13 .Isaiah 3:26 ; Isaiah 15:3 .Psalms 35:14 .

Verse 3

to the waters: i.e. to fetch water.

and. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Aramaean, Septuagint, and Syriac, read this "and" in the text.

covered their heads. The symbol of mourning (2 Samuel 15:30 ; 2 Samuel 19:4 .Esther 6:12; Esther 6:12 ).

Verse 4

chapt = cleft, cracked, open in slits. From Old Dutch, "koppen", to cut off; "kappen", to cut, or chop (hence Eng. "chops", from Eng. "chapped" and "chip"). Gk. koptein, to cut. Hebrew here, hathath = to be broken.

ashamed. Absence of rain causes today great anxiety (Job 29:23 ).

Verse 5

Yea = For.

Verse 6

wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

dragons = jackals.

Verse 7

testify: or, answer. Figure of speech Prosopopoeia.

sinned. Hebrew. chata.

Verse 8

the Hope of Israel. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), for Jehovah, Who was, or should have been, Israel's hope. See Jeremiah 17:13 ; Jeremiah 50:7 ; and compare Genesis 49:18 . 1 Timothy 1:1 .

stranger = sojourner.

Verse 9

in the midst. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 29:45 .Leviticus 26:11 , Leviticus 26:12 ). App-92 .

we are called, &c. = Thy name was called upon us.

Verse 11

Pray not, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 32:10 ). Compare Jeremiah 7:16 ; Jeremiah 11:14 .

Verse 12

I will not, &c. See Jeremiah 7:16 ; Jeremiah 11:14 ; Ezekiel 8:18 . Amos 5:23 .Micah 3:4 .

offer = offer up.

oblation = a gift offering, or donation. Hebrew. minchah. App-43 .

sword . . . famine . . . pestilence. Often thus conjoined (after this). Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:0 and Deuteronomy 28:0 ). App-92 . Compare Jeremiah 21:6 , Jeremiah 21:7 , Jeremiah 21:9 ; Jeremiah 24:10 , &c. See note on Jeremiah 42:2 .

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton , to emphasize each particular.

Verse 14

sent . . . commanded . . . spake. Compare Jeremiah 7:22 ; Jeremiah 23:21 .

you. Some codices, with two early printed editions, read "them".

Verse 16

wickedness = calamity. Heb, ra'a'. App-44 . Not the same word as Jeremiah 14:20 .

Verse 19

Hast . . . hath . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis.

Thy soul = Thou Thyself (emphatic). Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 . Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.

we looked. Compare Jeremiah 8:15 ; Jeremiah 15:1 , where it has a stronger refusal.

and. Some codices omit.

trouble = terror.

Verse 20

We acknowledge. These are the prophet's words.

wickedness = lawlessness. Hebrew. rasha'. App-44 . Not the same word as in Jeremiah 14:16 .

iniquity. Hebrew. 'avon. App-44 .

Verse 21

do not. Some codices, with three early printed editions, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "neither".

throne of Thy glory. See note on Jeremiah 3:17 .

Verse 22

Are there = Exist there. Hebrew. yesh. See notes on Jeremiah 14:22 .

vanities = idols.

Gentiles = nations.

He. Supply Figure of speech Ellipsis , "He [That givest rain]".

wait upon Thee. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 49:18 , the first occurrence in this sense).