Jeremiah 14:18
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.
Original Language Analysis
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 22
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יָצָ֣אתִי
If I go forth
H3318
יָצָ֣אתִי
If I go forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
2 of 22
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
חַלְלֵי
then behold the slain
H2491
חַלְלֵי
then behold the slain
Strong's:
H2491
Word #:
5 of 22
pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted
חֶ֔רֶב
with the sword
H2719
חֶ֔רֶב
with the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
6 of 22
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
וְאִם֙
H518
וְאִם֙
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
7 of 22
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
בָּ֣אתִי
and if I enter
H935
בָּ֣אתִי
and if I enter
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
8 of 22
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
הָעִ֔יר
into the city
H5892
הָעִ֔יר
into the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
9 of 22
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
13 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
גַם
H1571
גַם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
14 of 22
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
גַם
H1571
גַם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
16 of 22
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
כֹּהֵ֛ן
and the priest
H3548
כֹּהֵ֛ן
and the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
17 of 22
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
סָחֲר֥וּ
go about
H5503
סָחֲר֥וּ
go about
Strong's:
H5503
Word #:
18 of 22
to travel round (specifically as a pedlar); intensively, to palpitate
Cross References
Ezekiel 7:15The sword is without, and the pestilence and the famine within: he that is in the field shall die with the sword; and he that is in the city, famine and pestilence shall devour him.Lamentations 1:20Behold, O LORD; for I am in distress: my bowels are troubled; mine heart is turned within me; for I have grievously rebelled: abroad the sword bereaveth, at home there is as death.Jeremiah 8:10Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall inherit them: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.Jeremiah 5:31The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?Jeremiah 6:13For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.Deuteronomy 28:36The LORD shall bring thee, and thy king which thou shalt set over thee, unto a nation which neither thou nor thy fathers have known; and there shalt thou serve other gods, wood and stone.
Historical Context
The Babylonian conquest brought death by warfare in rural areas and by starvation in besieged cities. Afterward, survivors including priests and prophets were exiled to Babylon, fulfilling this prophecy.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the inescapability of judgment (field or city) demonstrate its comprehensive nature?
- What does the exile of spiritual leaders teach about shared responsibility and consequences?
- How should leaders' participation in judgment affect their sense of accountability for those they lead?
Analysis & Commentary
The vision of devastation continues: '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!' No escape exists: countryside brings death by sword (warfare), city brings death by famine (siege). The final observation about religious leaders: 'yea, the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not.' This likely depicts exile—even spiritual leaders are displaced, wandering in foreign lands. The comprehensive nature of judgment means no location, social class, or profession escapes. The leaders who should have guided the people share their fate.