Jeremiah 18:14
Will a man leave the snow of Lebanon which cometh from the rock of the field? or shall the cold flowing waters that come from another place be forsaken?
Original Language Analysis
הֲיַעֲזֹ֥ב
Will a man leave
H5800
הֲיַעֲזֹ֥ב
Will a man leave
Strong's:
H5800
Word #:
1 of 11
to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc
מִצּ֛וּר
which cometh from the rock
H6697
מִצּ֛וּר
which cometh from the rock
Strong's:
H6697
Word #:
2 of 11
properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge; also an edge (as precipitous)
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
6 of 11
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
מַ֛יִם
waters
H4325
מַ֛יִם
waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
8 of 11
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
זָרִ֥ים
that come from another place
H2114
זָרִ֥ים
that come from another place
Strong's:
H2114
Word #:
9 of 11
to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery
Historical Context
Mount Lebanon's snow and springs were proverbial for reliability and refreshment in ancient Near Eastern culture (Jer 18:14, Song 4:15). The mountain range, located in modern Lebanon, reaches over 10,000 feet and maintains snow year-round, feeding numerous streams and springs. Ancient peoples depended on these predictable water sources. The prophets used this imagery to contrast God's faithful provision with Israel's unfaithful abandonment.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'cold flowing waters' has God provided that you're tempted to forsake for lesser things?
- How does sin's fundamental irrationality manifest in your life—choosing what harms over what helps?
- In what ways does nature's consistency rebuke human inconsistency and unfaithfulness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God employs nature imagery to highlight Israel's unnatural behavior: "Will a man leave the snow of Lebanon which cometh from the rock of the field?" Mount Lebanon's snow-capped peaks provided reliable, refreshing water sources. "Shall the cold flowing waters that come from another place be forsaken?" The rhetorical questions expect negative answers—no one abandons reliable, life-giving water sources.
The implied comparison: just as travelers depend on Lebanon's cold streams, Israel should cling to God, their reliable source of life and blessing. But they've done the unthinkable—forsaken the fountain of living waters for broken cisterns (Jer 2:13). Nature operates according to consistent patterns, but humans irrationally abandon what benefits them for what destroys them. Sin is fundamentally irrational—it contradicts both revelation and reason.
This verse illustrates common grace—even fallen creation displays more consistency and wisdom than rebellious humans. Animals follow their instincts (Isa 1:3), rivers flow to the sea, snow caps mountains—nature obeys its ordained patterns. But humans, made in God's image with moral consciousness and revelation, irrationally rebel against their Creator and true good. Only supernatural grace can restore this fundamental irrationality.