Bible Commentaries
Jeremiah 14

Verses 1-21

Jeremiah’s Eighth Prophecy (Reign of Jehoiakim?). The Impending Drought and other Woes

Dialogue between the prophet and God. He intercedes; but in vain, for the nation persists in sin. In this section we probably see the state of matters in the early part of Jehoiakim’s reign. There is no historical allusion to the drought which formed the occasion of the prophecy.

Verses 1-22

1-6. Description of the drought.

2. The gates thereof languish] Figurative of the people who collect there. They are black unto] RV ’They sit in black (mourning) upon.’

3. Covered their heads] as a sign of grief or confusion: cp. David (2 Samuel 19:4) and Haman (Esther 6:12).

6. They snuffed up the wind] RV ’They pant for air.’ Dragons] RV ’jackals.’

7-22. Jeremiah’s pleadings and God’s replies.

7. Do thou it] RV ’work thou.’

8. As a stranger, etc.] one who has no interest in the people. Turneth aside] RM ’spreadeth his tent.’

9. Astonied] hesitating, inactive.

13. Jeremiah pleads that the false prophets have misled the people.

17. The virgin daughter of my people] i.e. Judah, whom God had hitherto protected.

19. The prophet again intercedes.

21. The throne of thy glory] Jerusalem, or, more particularly, the Temple.

22. A reference to the drought (Jeremiah 14:1). God alone can remove it.