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

Jeremiah, acting as a prophet and lamenter, presents a horrifying panoramic view of Judah's destruction. In the rural fields, he observes those violently killed by the sword, a consequence of war or invasion. Within the city walls, he witnesses people afflicted by famine, resulting from siege or drought. This widespread physical devastation is amplified by the concurrent spiritual crisis: the nation's supposed spiritual leaders—prophets and priests—are depicted as aimless, lost, and fundamentally ignorant of God's truth or the true nature of their dire circumstances, thus failing in their duty to guide the people. The verse highlights a comprehensive societal collapse, encompassing both physical and spiritual ruin.

Jeremiah 14 18 Context

Jeremiah chapter 14 details a severe drought and famine plaguing Judah, interpreted by Jeremiah as a profound sign of God's judgment. The preceding verses (14:1-6) vividly describe the physical suffering—the parched ground, the thirsty animals, the desolation of the land. This natural disaster becomes a catalyst for Jeremiah's intercession on behalf of the people (14:7-9) and God's subsequent declaration of inevitable judgment (14:10-12). Verses 13-16 introduce the problem of false prophets who promise "peace" despite God's judgment, while verse 17 shows Jeremiah's deep grief over the coming destruction. Jeremiah 14:18 specifically portrays the grim reality Jeremiah observes, an image of total ruin: violence in the countryside and starvation in the cities. Critically, it then implicates the spiritual leadership—prophets and priests—in this catastrophe, highlighting their spiritual blindness and their failure to provide genuine guidance, thus connecting the physical calamity directly to their spiritual bankruptcy and the people's unrepentance.

Jeremiah 14 18 Word analysis

• "If I go out into the field" (וְאִם יָצָאתִי הַשָּׂדֶה - vəʾim yaṣaʾtî haśśāḏeh): "I" refers to Jeremiah, deeply observing and lamenting. "Field" (שָׂדֶה, śāḏeh) represents the rural, agricultural areas, contrasting with the city. This emphasizes the wide reach of the calamity.
• "I see those pierced by the sword" (חַלְלֵי־חֶרֶב - ḥallelê-ḥerev): "Pierced" or "slain" (חָלָל, ḥālāl) indicates violent, often unnatural, death. "Sword" (חֶרֶב, ḥerev) is an instrument of war, conquest, and judgment. This vividly portrays death from battle or invasion.
• "and if I enter the city" (וְאִם־בָּאתִי הָעִיר - vəʾim-bāʾtî hāʿîr): "City" (עִיר, ʿîr) completes the geographic scope of disaster, showing it affects both rural and urban areas.
• "I see those sick with famine" (תַּחֲלֻאֵי רָעָב - taḥalūʾê rāʿāv): "Sick" or "afflicted by disease" (תַּחֲלֻאִים, taḥalūʾîm) is intensified by "famine" (רָעָב, rāʿāv), describing slow, painful death from starvation and the resulting diseases common in besieged cities.
• "For both prophet and priest" (כִּי־גַם־נָבִיא גַם־כֹּהֵן - kî-ḡam-nāḇîʾ ḡam-kōhēn): "Prophet" (נָבִיא, nāḇîʾ) and "priest" (כֹּהֵן, kōhēn) are the two primary spiritual offices in ancient Judah. The "For" (כִּי, kî) indicates this observation on the leaders is either a cause, a parallel, or a compounding factor to the preceding suffering. It points to a profound failure within religious leadership.
• "ply their trade throughout the land, and know nothing": The Hebrew phrase for "ply their trade throughout the land" is הָלְכוּ אֶל־אֶרֶץ (hālᵉḵū ʾel-ʾereṣ). This literally means "have gone to a land." Some interpretations suggest they wander aimlessly or are forced into exile in a foreign land (a land "they have not known"). The ESV's rendering "ply their trade" captures a sense of their activity being self-serving or perfunctory, rather than divinely inspired. Coupled with "and know nothing" (וְלֹא יָדָעוּ - vəlōʾ yādāʿū), which means "they do not know" or "they are ignorant," it critiques their spiritual bankruptcy. This lack of knowledge can mean:
  • They are disoriented and don't know where to go or what to do in the crisis.
  • They lack spiritual insight, failing to truly know God's will or discern the signs of the times.
  • They are clueless about the gravity of the situation or why the judgment is occurring.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "If I go out... If I enter...": This stylistic parallelism establishes a comprehensive sweep of devastation, covering all areas of life, both rural and urban. It emphasizes that no one is escaping the judgment.
• "pierced by the sword... sick with famine": These two stark images represent the dual impact of war and its associated hardships—direct violence and subsequent deprivation. Together, they paint a complete picture of mortal suffering that is inescapable.
• "prophet and priest": This grouping represents the religious and moral authority of the nation. Their mention here highlights a crisis not just of physical survival but also of spiritual guidance. Their failure exacerbates the physical suffering, removing any hope of intercession or proper direction for repentance.
• "ply their trade throughout the land, and know nothing": This phrase indicts the religious leadership directly. Their actions are without genuine divine insight or purpose during a crucial time. Their lack of "knowing" suggests they have become blind guides, perhaps pursuing personal gain or comfort instead of truly seeking God's counsel, thus rendering their spiritual services hollow and ineffective.

Jeremiah 14 18 Bonus section

• Chiaroscuro Effect: The verse uses strong contrasts—life/death, rural/urban, spiritual leadership/spiritual blindness—to heighten the sense of despair and the magnitude of the national catastrophe. The bright potential of spiritual leadership casts a darker shadow against their observed ignorance.
• Ethical Dimension of Leadership: This verse implicitly raises the profound ethical question of leadership accountability, particularly for those in spiritual positions. Their "not knowing" is not simply an intellectual deficiency but a moral and spiritual failure with devastating consequences for an entire nation. It highlights that the effectiveness of religious office depends on genuine communion with God and adherence to His truth, not just the title.

Jeremiah 14 18 Commentary

Jeremiah 14:18 encapsulates a searing portrait of a nation in utter ruin—both physically and spiritually. Jeremiah vividly presents himself as an observer traversing a land overwhelmed by death: the brutal reality of the sword in the fields speaks of invasion and war, while the widespread famine in the cities testifies to the grim consequences of siege or devastating drought. This dual calamity signifies the breadth and depth of God's judgment upon Judah. Yet, the tragedy deepens with the indictment of the nation's spiritual leadership. The "prophet and priest," traditionally seen as custodians of God's word and moral guides, are exposed as bewildered and lacking true understanding. Their wandering or 'plying their trade' suggests an absence of clear divine mandate or purpose, a spiritual blindness that renders them incapable of guiding a suffering people to repentance or hope. Instead of light, they offer only further confusion and spiritual darkness. The verse thus serves as a powerful lament, a testament to God's severe judgment, and a scathing critique of a leadership that has failed its sacred duty, compounding the physical suffering with spiritual abandonment.