Jeremiah 14:2
Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish; they are black unto the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוּדָ֔ה
Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֔ה
Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
2 of 9
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
אֻמְלְל֖וּ
thereof languish
H535
אֻמְלְל֖וּ
thereof languish
Strong's:
H535
Word #:
4 of 9
to droop; by implication to be sick, to mourn
קָדְר֣וּ
they are black
H6937
קָדְר֣וּ
they are black
Strong's:
H6937
Word #:
5 of 9
to be ashy, i.e., dark-colored; by implication, to mourn (in sackcloth or sordid garments)
Cross References
Isaiah 3:26And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she being desolate shall sit upon the ground.Jeremiah 8:21For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me.1 Samuel 5:12And the men that died not were smitten with the emerods: and the cry of the city went up to heaven.Zechariah 7:13Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:Jeremiah 11:11Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them.
Historical Context
City gates served as commercial centers and courts. Their 'languishing' meant economic and judicial systems failing. Drought affected all social classes, creating universal crisis that should have driven corporate repentance.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God use physical crises to drive people to prayer and dependence?
- What is the relationship between corporate suffering and corporate prayer?
- How should economic and agricultural disasters be interpreted theologically?
Analysis & Commentary
The drought's effects are national: 'Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish; they are black unto the ground.' The 'gates' represent cities and places of commerce and justice, now failing. The phrase 'black unto the ground' suggests mourning attire (sackcloth) or drought-parched earth. The consequence extends to the national identity: 'and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up,' indicating prayer born of desperation. This verse shows that God uses physical crises to drive His people to prayer. The comprehensive nature (from gates to Jerusalem itself) reveals that no aspect of national life escapes drought's impact.