Jeremiah 14:8
O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?
Original Language Analysis
מִקְוֵה֙
O the hope
H4723
מִקְוֵה֙
O the hope
Strong's:
H4723
Word #:
1 of 12
something waited for, i.e., a collection, i.e., (of water) a pond, or (of men and horses) a caravan or drove
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
2 of 12
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
מֽוֹשִׁיע֖וֹ
the saviour
H3467
מֽוֹשִׁיע֖וֹ
the saviour
Strong's:
H3467
Word #:
3 of 12
properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor
בְּעֵ֣ת
thereof in time
H6256
בְּעֵ֣ת
thereof in time
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
4 of 12
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
לָ֤מָּה
H4100
לָ֤מָּה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
6 of 12
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
תִֽהְיֶה֙
H1961
תִֽהְיֶה֙
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
7 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כְּגֵ֣ר
why shouldest thou be as a stranger
H1616
כְּגֵ֣ר
why shouldest thou be as a stranger
Strong's:
H1616
Word #:
8 of 12
properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner
Cross References
Jeremiah 17:13O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.Jeremiah 50:7All that found them have devoured them: and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of justice, even the LORD, the hope of their fathers.Isaiah 43:3For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.Psalms 50:15And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.Isaiah 43:11I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.Isaiah 45:21Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.Joel 3:16The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.Isaiah 45:15Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour.Acts 28:20For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.Psalms 138:7Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
Historical Context
Israel's history demonstrated God as Savior in times of trouble (Exodus, conquest, judges period). The complaint is that God now seems absent during crisis, contrary to His demonstrated character and covenant promises.
Questions for Reflection
- How do God's covenant titles inform our prayers during times of apparent divine absence?
- What does it mean to pray boldly based on God's character and promises?
- How should we understand seasons when God seems like a 'stranger' or distant traveler?
Analysis & Commentary
The prayer continues with rich covenant titles: 'O the hope of Israel, the Saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?' The titles 'hope of Israel' and 'Saviour' appeal to God's covenant relationship. The questions protest God's seeming absence: He appears as a 'stranger' or 'wayfaring man' (temporary traveler) rather than permanent resident and covenant Lord. This bold prayer language demands God act consistently with His covenant identity. The Reformed tradition values such biblically-grounded, doctrinally-informed prayer.