Jeremiah 14 18

Jeremiah 14:18 kjv

If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not.

Jeremiah 14:18 nkjv

If I go out to the field, Then behold, those slain with the sword! And if I enter the city, Then behold, those sick from famine! Yes, both prophet and priest go about in a land they do not know.' "

Jeremiah 14:18 niv

If I go into the country, I see those slain by the sword; if I go into the city, I see the ravages of famine. Both prophet and priest have gone to a land they know not.'?"

Jeremiah 14:18 esv

If I go out into the field, behold, those pierced by the sword! And if I enter the city, behold, the diseases of famine! For both prophet and priest ply their trade through the land and have no knowledge.'"

Jeremiah 14:18 nlt

If I go out into the fields,
I see the bodies of people slaughtered by the enemy.
If I walk the city streets,
I see people who have died of starvation.
The prophets and priests continue with their work,
but they don't know what they're doing."

Jeremiah 14 verses

Jeremiah 14 18 Meaning

The prophet Jeremiah acknowledges the devastation of famine and the resulting despair. The land itself appears to grieve due to the sin of the people, and even those who are farmers and sowers are stripped of their produce. The crops have been stolen by enemies or withered from drought, leaving them with nothing.

Jeremiah 14 18 Context

Jeremiah 14 describes a severe drought and famine plaguing Judah. The prophet laments the suffering of the people, the desolation of the land, and the futility of their worship. This verse highlights the extreme despair, where even going out to the fields, a place of hope for sustenance, results in witnessing death caused by the sword or implied consequences of the widespread disaster. The scarcity of food is so dire that people are crying out for sustenance in the cities, a desperate measure when communal resources have failed. Even religious leaders, the prophets and priests, are depicted as being at a loss, confused and wandering, signifying a breakdown in spiritual guidance and a failure to provide solace or solutions.

Jeremiah 14 18 Word Analysis

• וְאִם (ve'im): "and if." This introduces a conditional statement, highlighting another scenario of despair.

• הָלַכְתִּי (halakhti): "I go" or "I have gone." It refers to the prophet's action or his contemplated action of venturing outside.

• אֶל־שָׂדַי (el-sadei): "to the fields." This signifies the agricultural land, the place where crops are grown and a source of livelihood.

• רְאֵה (re'eh): "behold" or "see!" This is an imperative, calling for attention to a shocking or significant sight.

• חַלְלֵי־חָרֶב (halalei-kherev): "those slain by the sword." This starkly illustrates the violence and destruction accompanying the famine, possibly referring to external conflicts or internal strife.

• וּבָעִיר (u'va'ir): "and in the city." This contrasts the countryside with the urban centers.

• קָרְאוּ (qare'u): "they cry out" or "they called out." It conveys a desperate vocalization of distress.

• הֵי (hey): An exclamation, similar to "woe!" or "alas!" expressing deep sorrow or pain.

• וְאֵין (ve'ein): "and there is no." Emphasizes the absolute absence of something essential.

• לֶחֶם (lechem): "bread" or "food." The fundamental necessity that is missing.

• כִּי־ (ki): "for" or "because." Introduces a reason or explanation.

• אָבְדָה (ovdah): "has perished" or "is lost." Indicates the complete destruction or disappearance.

• הַנְּבִיאִים (hanevi'im): "the prophets." Spiritual leaders responsible for conveying God's message and guiding the people.

• וְהַכֹּהֲנִים (vehakohanim): "and the priests." Religious functionaries who perform sacrifices and lead worship.

• שָׁמְמוּ (shamemu): "are dismayed" or "are appalled." Describes a state of shock, bewilderment, and inability to comprehend or react appropriately.

• וְגַם (vegam): "and also." Adds emphasis to the state of the religious leaders.

• נִבְהָלוּ (nivhalu): "are confused" or "are frightened." Expresses a loss of composure and clear thinking.

• מְיַחֲלִים (meyachalim): "are hoping" or "are looking for." Despite their confusion, there's still an expectation, perhaps of relief or answers.

• אֵין־לָהֶם (ein-lahem): "there is no for them" or "they have no." Highlights their utter lack of resources or solutions.

• Fields vs. City: The contrast between the desolate fields (halalei-kherev) and the desperate cries in the city (qare'u hey ve'ein lechem) underscores the pervasive nature of the suffering. No matter where one turns, destruction and want are evident.

• Prophets and Priests' State: The description of the prophets and priests as "shamemu" and "nivhalu" (dismayed and confused) signifies a profound spiritual crisis. When those who are supposed to represent God and offer guidance are themselves lost and bewildered, it speaks to the depth of the judgment and the people's abandonment by divine insight. Their hope (meyachalim) becomes a desperate clinging to something that isn't coming because their spiritual leadership has failed to understand or intercede effectively.

Jeremiah 14 18 Bonus Section

The mention of "prophet and priest are bewildered" is significant. Throughout Jeremiah's ministry, false prophets had proclaimed peace when war and judgment were coming. Now, even the true prophets and priests are bewildered, perhaps indicating that the severity of the judgment exceeded their understanding, or that the consequences of sin were so pervasive that even divine channels of comfort were affected by the overall desolation. This can be seen as a testament to God’s justice, where all levels of society and spiritual leadership are impacted when sin takes root.

Jeremiah 14 18 Commentary

This verse vividly portrays the comprehensive nature of judgment. Whether one seeks refuge or answers in the fields or the city, only despair and death are found. The agricultural sector, expected to provide sustenance, is filled with victims of violence, while urban life is marked by desperate cries for nonexistent food. The spiritual leadership—the prophets and priests—is not exempt from this devastation. Their state of dismay and confusion signifies the breakdown of God's communication and guidance, leaving the people utterly adrift in their suffering. Their "hoping" is a poignant indicator of their helplessness, devoid of any true spiritual assurance or divine insight.