Jeremiah 30:14
All thy lovers have forgotten thee; they seek thee not; for I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one, for the multitude of thine iniquity; because thy sins were increased.
Original Language Analysis
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מְאַהֲבַ֣יִךְ
All thy lovers
H157
מְאַהֲבַ֣יִךְ
All thy lovers
Strong's:
H157
Word #:
2 of 17
to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)
שְׁכֵח֔וּךְ
have forgotten
H7911
שְׁכֵח֔וּךְ
have forgotten
Strong's:
H7911
Word #:
3 of 17
to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention
אוֹתָ֖ךְ
H853
אוֹתָ֖ךְ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִדְרֹ֑שׁוּ
thee they seek
H1875
יִדְרֹ֑שׁוּ
thee they seek
Strong's:
H1875
Word #:
6 of 17
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
כִּי֩
H3588
כִּי֩
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מַכַּ֨ת
thee with the wound
H4347
מַכַּ֨ת
thee with the wound
Strong's:
H4347
Word #:
8 of 17
a blow (in 2 chronicles 2:10, of the flail); by implication, a wound; figuratively, carnage, also pestilence
הִכִּיתִיךְ֙
thee not for I have wounded
H5221
הִכִּיתִיךְ֙
thee not for I have wounded
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
10 of 17
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
מוּסַ֣ר
with the chastisement
H4148
מוּסַ֣ר
with the chastisement
Strong's:
H4148
Word #:
11 of 17
properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint
עַ֚ל
H5921
עַ֚ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Job 30:21Thou art become cruel to me: with thy strong hand thou opposest thyself against me.Jeremiah 5:6Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, and a wolf of the evenings shall spoil them, a leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many, and their backslidings are increased.Lamentations 1:2She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks: among all her lovers she hath none to comfort her: all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies.Jeremiah 22:20Go up to Lebanon, and cry; and lift up thy voice in Bashan, and cry from the passages: for all thy lovers are destroyed.Job 19:11He hath also kindled his wrath against me, and he counteth me unto him as one of his enemies.Jeremiah 2:36Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way? thou also shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast ashamed of Assyria.Jeremiah 22:22The wind shall eat up all thy pastors, and thy lovers shall go into captivity: surely then shalt thou be ashamed and confounded for all thy wickedness.Jeremiah 4:30And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life.Jeremiah 30:15Why criest thou for thine affliction? thy sorrow is incurable for the multitude of thine iniquity: because thy sins were increased, I have done these things unto thee.
Historical Context
Egypt, Phoenicia, and other nations Israel had courted through treaties failed to defend her against Babylon. Jeremiah repeatedly warned against trusting these alliances instead of Yahweh (Jer 2:36-37).
Questions for Reflection
- What modern 'lovers' do Christians chase instead of wholehearted devotion to God?
- How do you respond when God's discipline feels like an enemy's attack?
- Why must God sometimes wound those He loves in order to heal deeper spiritual disease?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
All thy lovers have forgotten thee (כָּל מְאַהֲבַיִךְ שְׁכֵחוּךְ, 'kol me'ahavayikh shekhechuakh')—the 'lovers' (מְאַהֲבִים, 'me'ahavim') refers to political allies and false gods Israel pursued. The covenant metaphor intensifies: I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy (מַכַּת אוֹיֵב הִכִּיתִיךְ, 'makat oyev hikitikh').
The shocking theology: God Himself acts as enemy (אוֹיֵב, 'oyev') to discipline covenant rebellion. The multitude of thine iniquity (רֹב עֲוֹנֵךְ, 'rov avonekh') explains the severity—not arbitrary cruelty but covenant justice. This severity reveals the seriousness of sin and the depth of betrayal when God's people chase other lovers.