Jeremiah 14:17-18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 14:17-22

The present deplorable state of Judah and Jerusalem is here made the matter of the prophet's lamentation (Jer. 14:17, 18) and the occasion of his prayer and intercession for them (Jer. 14:19), and I am willing to hope that the latter, as well as the former, was by divine direction, and that these words (Jer. 14:17), Thus shalt thou say unto them (or concerning them, or in their hearing), refer to the intercession, as well as to the lamentation, and then it amounts to a revocation of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 14:17

Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them ,.... Instead of praying for the people, the prophet has a doleful lamentation put into his mouth, to pronounce in their hearing, in order to assure them of the calamities that were coming upon them, and to affect them with them. Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease : or "be silent" F16 תדמינה "sileant", Schmidt; "taceant", Pegninus, Montanus. ; signifying that there would be quickly just reason and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 14:18

If I go forth into the field ,.... Without the city, where was the camp of the enemy besieging it then behold the slain with the sword ! the sword of the enemy; who by sallying out of the city upon them, or by endeavouring to make their escape into the country, fell into their hands, and were slain by them. And if I enter into the city ; the city of Jerusalem: then behold them that are sick with the famine ! just ready to die, being starved for want of provisions; and multitudes... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 14:17

For the virgin daughter of my people is broken - First, the land was sadly distressed by Pharaoh-necho, king of Egypt. Secondly, it was laid under a heavy tribute by Nebuchadnezzar. And, thirdly, it was nearly desolated by a famine afterwards. In a few years all these calamities fell upon them; these might be well called a great breach, a very grievous blow. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 14:18

If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword - Every place presents frightful spectacles; the wounded, the dying, the starving, and the slain; none to bury the dead, none to commiserate the dying, none to bring either relief or consolation. Even the prophets and the priests are obliged to leave the cities, and wander about in unfrequented and unknown places, seeking for the necessaries of life. Dr. Blayney thinks that the going about of the prophets and priests of the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 14:17

Verse 17 God shews here again how tardy, yea, how stupid the people were, whom no threatenings could induce to return to a right mind. When, therefore, they daringly neglected all threatenings, God bids a sad spectacle to be presented to them, justly calculated to fin them with fear and shame; he bids his Prophet to speak rims to them, “Behold, I shall be wholly dissolved into tears, and that on your account.” The Prophet, no doubt, wept sincerely when he saw his own people wilfully drawing... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 14:18

Verse 18 He confirms the same thing in other words, not on account of the obscurity of what he had said, but because he knew that he was speaking to the deaf, or that such was their sloth, that they needed many goads. He says, in short, that there would be in the city no defense for the people to shield them from the punishment that was at hand, and that if they went into the fields the whole land would be covered with enemies, who would destroy them. This is the sum of the whole. But he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 14:1-22

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 14:17

Therefore thou shalt say, etc. There is something strange and contrary to verisimilitude in the prefixing of this formula, not to a Divine revelation, but to a mere expression of the pained human feelings of the prophet. It is possible that the editor of Jeremiah's prophecies thought the paragraph which begins here needed something to link it with the preceding passage, and selected his formula rather unsuitably. Let mine eyes run down , etc. (comp. Jeremiah 13:27 ). Jeremiah's tender... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 14:17-21

The prophet's grief, and second intercession. read more

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