Jeremiah 14:19
Hast thou utterly rejected Judah? hath thy soul lothed Zion? why hast thou smitten us, and there is no healing for us? we looked for peace, and there is no good; and for the time of healing, and behold trouble!
Original Language Analysis
מָאַ֜סְתָּ
Hast thou utterly
H3988
מָאַ֜סְתָּ
Hast thou utterly
Strong's:
H3988
Word #:
1 of 21
to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear
מָאַ֜סְתָּ
Hast thou utterly
H3988
מָאַ֜סְתָּ
Hast thou utterly
Strong's:
H3988
Word #:
2 of 21
to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוּדָ֗ה
Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֗ה
Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
4 of 21
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
5 of 21
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
בְּצִיּוֹן֙
Zion
H6726
בְּצִיּוֹן֙
Zion
Strong's:
H6726
Word #:
6 of 21
tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem
נַפְשֶׁ֔ךָ
hath thy soul
H5315
נַפְשֶׁ֔ךָ
hath thy soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
8 of 21
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
מַדּ֙וּעַ֙
H4069
מַדּ֙וּעַ֙
Strong's:
H4069
Word #:
9 of 21
what (is) known?; i.e., (by implication) (adverbially) why?
הִכִּיתָ֔נוּ
why hast thou smitten
H5221
הִכִּיתָ֔נוּ
why hast thou smitten
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
10 of 21
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
וְאֵ֥ין
H369
מַרְפֵּ֖א
of healing
H4832
מַרְפֵּ֖א
of healing
Strong's:
H4832
Word #:
13 of 21
properly, curative, i.e., literally (concretely) a medicine, or (abstractly) a cure; figuratively (concretely) deliverance, or (abstractly) placidity
קַוֵּ֤ה
for us we looked
H6960
קַוֵּ֤ה
for us we looked
Strong's:
H6960
Word #:
14 of 21
to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e., collect; (figuratively) to expect
לְשָׁלוֹם֙
for peace
H7965
לְשָׁלוֹם֙
for peace
Strong's:
H7965
Word #:
15 of 21
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
וְאֵ֣ין
H369
ט֔וֹב
and there is no good
H2896
ט֔וֹב
and there is no good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
17 of 21
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
וּלְעֵ֥ת
and for the time
H6256
וּלְעֵ֥ת
and for the time
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
18 of 21
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
Cross References
Jeremiah 8:15We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of health, and behold trouble!Lamentations 5:22But thou hast utterly rejected us; thou art very wroth against us.Jeremiah 6:30Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the LORD hath rejected them.1 Thessalonians 5:3For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.Psalms 78:59When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel:Job 30:26When I looked for good, then evil came unto me: and when I waited for light, there came darkness.Jeremiah 15:18Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed? wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar, and as waters that fail?Jeremiah 30:13There is none to plead thy cause, that thou mayest be bound up: thou hast no healing medicines.Jeremiah 12:8Mine heritage is unto me as a lion in the forest; it crieth out against me: therefore have I hated it.
Historical Context
Despite coming judgment, God promised eventual restoration after 70 years (Jeremiah 29:10-14). Corporate judgment on that generation didn't mean eternal rejection of all Israel; a remnant would return.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we distinguish between God's temporary discipline and permanent rejection?
- What is the relationship between corporate judgment and individual election?
- How should covenant promises inform prayer during times of severe discipline?
Analysis & Commentary
The prayer continues, appealing to God's covenant relationship: 'Hast thou utterly rejected Judah? hath thy soul lothed Zion?' The questions seek clarification: is this temporary discipline or final rejection? The evidence suggests rejection: 'why hast thou smitten us, and there is no healing for us?' They sought shalom but 'there is no good,' sought healing but 'behold trouble!' This prayer wrestles with the tension between God's covenant promises and present judgment. The questions reflect theological confusion: how can covenant God utterly reject His people? The Reformed doctrine of remnant provides the answer: corporate judgment doesn't negate particular election.