Jeremiah 14:16
And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword; and they shall have none to bury them, them, their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters: for I will pour their wickedness upon them.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָעָ֣ם
And the people
H5971
וְהָעָ֣ם
And the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
1 of 23
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
2 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נִבְּאִ֣ים
to whom they prophesy
H5012
נִבְּאִ֣ים
to whom they prophesy
Strong's:
H5012
Word #:
4 of 23
to prophesy, i.e., speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)
יִֽהְי֣וּ
H1961
יִֽהְי֣וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
6 of 23
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
מֻשְׁלָכִים֩
shall be cast out
H7993
מֻשְׁלָכִים֩
shall be cast out
Strong's:
H7993
Word #:
7 of 23
to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)
בְּחֻצ֨וֹת
in the streets
H2351
בְּחֻצ֨וֹת
in the streets
Strong's:
H2351
Word #:
8 of 23
properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֜ם
of Jerusalem
H3389
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֜ם
of Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
9 of 23
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
מִפְּנֵ֣י׀
because
H6440
מִפְּנֵ֣י׀
because
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
10 of 23
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וְהַחֶ֗רֶב
and the sword
H2719
וְהַחֶ֗רֶב
and the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
12 of 23
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
וְאֵ֤ין
H369
וּבְנֵיהֶ֖ם
nor their sons
H1121
וּבְנֵיהֶ֖ם
nor their sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
18 of 23
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וּבְנֹֽתֵיהֶ֑ם
nor their daughters
H1323
וּבְנֹֽתֵיהֶ֑ם
nor their daughters
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
19 of 23
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
וְשָׁפַכְתִּ֥י
for I will pour
H8210
וְשָׁפַכְתִּ֥י
for I will pour
Strong's:
H8210
Word #:
20 of 23
to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc
עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם
H5921
עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
21 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Proverbs 1:31Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.Jeremiah 7:33And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray them away.Jeremiah 18:21Therefore deliver up their children to the famine, and pour out their blood by the force of the sword; and let their wives be bereaved of their children, and be widows; and let their men be put to death; let their young men be slain by the sword in battle.Jeremiah 16:4They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; but they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcases shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.
Historical Context
During and after the Babylonian siege, countless bodies lay unburied in Jerusalem's streets (Lamentations 2:21; 4:14-15). This fulfilled the prophecy, demonstrating the deadly cost of believing false prophets.
Questions for Reflection
- What responsibility do hearers bear for choosing false teachers over faithful ones?
- How does following false teaching lead to experiencing the very judgments it denies?
- What warning does this verse provide about our natural preference for pleasant lies over difficult truths?
Analysis & Commentary
The judgment extends to the misled people: 'And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword; and they shall have none to bury them.' Those who believed false prophecy share its consequences—unburied bodies in the streets, ultimate disgrace. The comprehensiveness: 'them, their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters'—whole families destroyed. The reason given: 'for I will pour their wickedness upon them.' While the false prophets bear primary guilt, the people's willingness to believe comforting lies rather than harsh truth brings judgment. Responsibility extends to hearers who choose teachers that suit their desires (2 Timothy 4:3).