Jeremiah 14:3
And their nobles have sent their little ones to the waters: they came to the pits, and found no water; they returned with their vessels empty; they were ashamed and confounded, and covered their heads.
Original Language Analysis
וְאַדִּ֣רֵיהֶ֔ם
And their nobles
H117
וְאַדִּ֣רֵיהֶ֔ם
And their nobles
Strong's:
H117
Word #:
1 of 17
wide or (generally) large; figuratively, powerful
שָׁלְח֥וּ
have sent
H7971
שָׁלְח֥וּ
have sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
2 of 17
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
צְעִורֵיהֶ֖ם
their little ones
H6810
צְעִורֵיהֶ֖ם
their little ones
Strong's:
H6810
Word #:
3 of 17
little; (in number) few; (in age) young, (in value) ignoble
מַ֗יִם
no water
H4325
מַ֗יִם
no water
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
4 of 17
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
גֵּבִ֞ים
to the pits
H1356
גֵּבִ֞ים
to the pits
Strong's:
H1356
Word #:
7 of 17
a log (as cut out); also well or cistern (as dug)
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
מָ֣צְאוּ
and found
H4672
מָ֣צְאוּ
and found
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
9 of 17
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
מַ֗יִם
no water
H4325
מַ֗יִם
no water
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
10 of 17
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
שָׁ֤בוּ
they returned
H7725
שָׁ֤בוּ
they returned
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
11 of 17
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
כְלֵיהֶם֙
with their vessels
H3627
כְלֵיהֶם֙
with their vessels
Strong's:
H3627
Word #:
12 of 17
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
רֵיקָ֔ם
empty
H7387
רֵיקָ֔ם
empty
Strong's:
H7387
Word #:
13 of 17
emptily; figuratively (objective) ineffectually, (subjective) undeservedly
בֹּ֥שׁוּ
they were ashamed
H954
בֹּ֥שׁוּ
they were ashamed
Strong's:
H954
Word #:
14 of 17
properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed
וְהָכְלְמ֖וּ
and confounded
H3637
וְהָכְלְמ֖וּ
and confounded
Strong's:
H3637
Word #:
15 of 17
properly, to wound; but only figuratively, to taunt or insult
Cross References
2 Samuel 15:30And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.Psalms 40:14Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.2 Kings 18:31Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me, and then eat ye every man of his own vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his cistern:Jeremiah 2:13For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.Amos 4:8So two or three cities wandered unto one city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
Historical Context
Ancient cities depended on cisterns, wells, and springs. Prolonged drought meant even traditionally reliable water sources failed. Covering the head indicated shame and distress (2 Samuel 15:30; Esther 6:12).
Questions for Reflection
- How does drought's effect on all classes demonstrate that privilege cannot protect from divine judgment?
- What does empty vessels returning symbolize about human efforts apart from God's blessing?
- How should prosperity and comfort's removal produce humility and repentance?
Analysis & Commentary
The drought affects even the nobility: 'And their nobles have sent their little ones to the waters: they came to the pits, and found no water; they returned with their vessels empty.' The fact that nobles send servants shows water scarcity across all classes. The fruitless search ('found no water,' 'returned with their vessels empty') depicts futility under judgment. The response: 'they were ashamed and confounded, and covered their heads'—gestures of humiliation and mourning. This shows that privilege provides no immunity from God's judgments. When He withdraws blessing, all human status proves meaningless.