Jeremiah 14 9

Jeremiah 14:9 kjv

Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man that cannot save? yet thou, O LORD, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not.

Jeremiah 14:9 nkjv

Why should You be like a man astonished, Like a mighty one who cannot save? Yet You, O LORD, are in our midst, And we are called by Your name; Do not leave us!

Jeremiah 14:9 niv

Why are you like a man taken by surprise, like a warrior powerless to save? You are among us, LORD, and we bear your name; do not forsake us!

Jeremiah 14:9 esv

Why should you be like a man confused, like a mighty warrior who cannot save? Yet you, O LORD, are in the midst of us, and we are called by your name; do not leave us."

Jeremiah 14:9 nlt

Are you also confused?
Is our champion helpless to save us?
You are right here among us, LORD.
We are known as your people.
Please don't abandon us now!"

Jeremiah 14 verses

Jeremiah 14 9 Meaning

Jeremiah 14:9 is a fervent lament from the prophet Jeremiah, speaking on behalf of the suffering people of Judah. It expresses deep confusion and anguish, questioning why God seems powerless or detached in the face of their severe distress, particularly during a devastating drought and famine. The verse contrasts God's inherent omnipotence and covenant presence with His perceived inaction, pleading with Him not to abandon His people who bear His name.

Jeremiah 14 9 Context

Jeremiah 14 occurs during a period of severe national crisis in Judah, specifically a devastating drought and famine, interpreted as divine judgment for the people's pervasive sin and idolatry. The chapter is characterized by a strong interplay between Jeremiah's impassioned intercessory prayers and God's firm declarations of judgment, which the people cannot escape. This particular verse (Jer 14:9) comes from Jeremiah's second lament (14:7-9) where he appeals to God on behalf of the suffering nation, despite acknowledging their iniquities. He describes the desolation of the land and the extreme suffering, asking God why He seems to be standing idly by or behaving like an uninterested bystander, despite their covenant relationship. Historically, this situates the prophecy in the twilight years of the Kingdom of Judah, on the brink of Babylonian invasion and exile (late 7th to early 6th century BCE), a time when national security, faith, and existence were profoundly threatened. The verse's polemic indirectly confronts the notion that Yahweh is no more effective or attentive than the lifeless idols the people had pursued.

Jeremiah 14 9 Word analysis

• Why art thou: (Hebrew: lamah 'attah - לָמָּה אַתָּה). An immediate, direct, and emotional question posed to God, characteristic of lament psalms and prophetic intercessions. It reflects deep distress and perplexity, not necessarily doubt of God's existence, but of His perceived inaction.
• as a man astonied: (Hebrew: k'ish nishlam - כְּאִישׁ נִשְׁלָם). K'ish means "like a man." Nishlam (from shalom) can mean astonished, stupified, paralyzed, or confounded. Here, it conveys an image of someone utterly shocked, frozen, and rendered inactive, unable to respond or offer help. This is a bold anthropomorphism applied to God.
• as a mighty man: (Hebrew: k'gibbor - כְּגִבּוֹר). Gibbor refers to a powerful warrior, a hero, a champion. This term is frequently used to describe God Himself as the "Mighty Warrior" (e.g., Ps 24:8; Isa 42:13). Its use here creates a profound paradox.
• that cannot save: (Hebrew: lo' yukal lehoshi'a - לֹא־יוּכַל לְהוֹשִׁיעַ). "Cannot" or "is not able to." Lehoshi'a means "to save" or "to deliver." This is a stark challenge to one of God's most fundamental attributes: His power and capacity for salvation. It’s a direct question about His ability in a time when the people desperately need deliverance.
• why shouldest thou be as a stranger: (Hebrew: lamah tihyeh k'ger - לָמָּה תִהְיֶה כְּגֵר). Ger signifies a sojourner, an alien, someone temporarily residing in a land with no inherent rights or deep connection. This contrasts sharply with God's covenant relationship with Israel, where He chose the land and the people.
• in the land: (Hebrew: ba'aretz - בָּאָרֶץ). Refers to the Promised Land, a land intrinsically linked to God's covenant and promises to Israel.
• and as a wayfaring man: (Hebrew: w'k'oreach - וּכְאֹרֵחַ). Ore'ach means a traveler, a passing guest. Like a ger, it emphasizes transience and non-belonging.
• that turneth aside to tarry for a night: (Hebrew: nateh lalun - נֹטֶה לָלוּן). "Turns aside to lodge/spend the night." This vividly illustrates a temporary, fleeting visit without lasting commitment or deep interest in the place or its inhabitants.
• yet thou art in the midst of us: (Hebrew: w'attah b'qirbenu - וְאַתָּה בְּקִרְבֵּנוּ). B'qirbenu means "in our midst" or "in our very heart." This is a powerful assertion of God's covenant presence and indwelling. It contrasts directly with the preceding similes of distance and temporary stay. This forms the foundation of Jeremiah's plea.
• O LORD: (Hebrew: YHWH - יְהוָה). The sacred, covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal relationship and faithfulness to Israel, underscoring the expectations rooted in the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants.
• and we are called by thy name: (Hebrew: w'shimcha niqra' 'alenu - וְשִׁמְךָ נִקְרָא עָלֵינוּ). To be "called by His name" signifies ownership, identification, and a deep covenantal bond. It implies that God's reputation is connected to His people's fate; His name being on them invokes His protection and commitment.
• leave us not: (Hebrew: 'al tinnachenu - אַל־תַּנִּחֵנוּ). An urgent, direct negative imperative. "Do not abandon us," "do not forsake us." This is the core petition, pleading for God to actively demonstrate His covenant faithfulness and prevent total destruction.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "Why art thou as a man astonied, as a mighty man that cannot save?": This initial couplet questions God's power and ability. It suggests God is perceived as either helpless (astonied) or weak (mighty man that cannot save). The juxtaposing of "mighty man" with "cannot save" creates a potent paradox that challenges the very essence of God's identity as Israel's deliverer, possibly even as a subtle polemic against foreign gods who are indeed helpless.
• "why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?": This second couplet questions God's presence and commitment. It paints a picture of God as an unconcerned visitor, temporarily passing through, without enduring investment or deep care for the covenant land and people. This deeply felt perception clashes with God's explicit promises to dwell with and among His people in the land.
• "yet thou art in the midst of us, O LORD, and we are called by thy name": This declarative statement shifts from questioning to asserting the fundamental covenant reality. It serves as the compelling ground for the prophet's appeal. Despite perceived divine inactivity, God's historical and covenantal presence (YHWH) is a non-negotiable truth. Being "called by thy name" means their identity, destiny, and the Lord's reputation are intrinsically linked.
• "leave us not": This urgent plea is the climax of the lament. It's an imperative born out of desperate faith, appealing to God's covenant loyalty and nature even when circumstances suggest otherwise. It’s a call for God to act according to His character, not as He is perceived to be acting.

Jeremiah 14 9 Bonus section

• The rhetorical daring employed by Jeremiah is striking. To attribute such human frailties (astonishment, inability to save, transient presence) to the omnipotent and omnipresent God YHWH demonstrates the depth of the prophet's agony and his willingness to grapple with perceived divine inaction directly. This audaciousness in prayer is a recurring theme in the laments of the Bible (e.g., Job, Psalms).
• This verse exemplifies "arguing with God" based on His own revealed character and covenant promises. Jeremiah, by reminding God of His name being called over Israel and His presence in their midst, is essentially asking God to be true to Himself, even when His actions or inactions appear contradictory to His nature as the Savior and ever-present King.
• The perceived "hiding" or "abandonment" by God (as described here) is a profound aspect of experiencing divine judgment. From a human perspective, when calamity strikes and prayers seem unanswered, it can feel as if God has withdrawn or is no longer invested. However, such periods are often God's corrective discipline, ultimately intended for purification and restoration.
• This passage prefigures the ultimate fulfillment of God "in the midst of us" (Immanuel) in the person of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodied God's saving power and enduring presence, never leaving or forsaking His own, and bearing God's name above all names.

Jeremiah 14 9 Commentary

Jeremiah 14:9 is a raw and courageous lament that stands at the heart of prophetic intercession. In the face of overwhelming national calamity, Jeremiah daringly questions God, anthropomorphically depicting Him as a shocked, helpless warrior or an indifferent transient. This isn't born of atheistic doubt, but profound distress and the expectation of a faithful God. The prophet then anchors his audacious questions in an undeniable truth: "Yet you are in the midst of us, O LORD, and we are called by your name." This covenantal affirmation—God's intrinsic presence and the people's identification with Him—becomes the very basis for the desperate plea: "Leave us not." The verse captures the deep tension in the prophetic experience between experiencing divine judgment (which feels like abandonment) and trusting in God's unchanging character and covenant faithfulness. It models a form of prayer that, while bold in its questioning, ultimately reasserts God's unique relationship with His people and petitions Him to act in alignment with His redemptive nature. It teaches that even in the darkest hours, when God seems most absent or silent, His people can and should appeal to His presence and promises.