Jeremiah 8:14
Why do we sit still? assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the defenced cities, and let us be silent there: for the LORD our God hath put us to silence, and given us water of gall to drink, because we have sinned against the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
1 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מָה֙
H4100
מָה֙
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
2 of 21
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
יֹֽשְׁבִ֔ים
Why do we sit still
H3427
יֹֽשְׁבִ֔ים
Why do we sit still
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
4 of 21
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
הֵֽאָסְפ֗וּ
assemble
H622
הֵֽאָסְפ֗וּ
assemble
Strong's:
H622
Word #:
5 of 21
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
וְנָב֛וֹא
yourselves and let us enter
H935
וְנָב֛וֹא
yourselves and let us enter
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
6 of 21
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
עָרֵ֥י
cities
H5892
עָרֵ֥י
cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
8 of 21
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
הַמִּבְצָ֖ר
into the defenced
H4013
הַמִּבְצָ֖ר
into the defenced
Strong's:
H4013
Word #:
9 of 21
a fortification, castle, or fortified city; figuratively, a defender
הֲדִמָּ֙נוּ֙
and let us be silent
H1826
הֲדִמָּ֙נוּ֙
and let us be silent
Strong's:
H1826
Word #:
10 of 21
to be dumb; by implication, to be astonished, to stop; also to perish
שָּׁ֑ם
H8033
כִּי֩
H3588
כִּי֩
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
12 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לַיהוָֽה׃
against the LORD
H3068
לַיהוָֽה׃
against the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
13 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֤ינוּ
our God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֤ינוּ
our God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
14 of 21
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
הֲדִמָּ֙נוּ֙
and let us be silent
H1826
הֲדִמָּ֙נוּ֙
and let us be silent
Strong's:
H1826
Word #:
15 of 21
to be dumb; by implication, to be astonished, to stop; also to perish
וַיַּשְׁקֵ֣נוּ
to drink
H8248
וַיַּשְׁקֵ֣נוּ
to drink
Strong's:
H8248
Word #:
16 of 21
to quaff, i.e., (causatively) to irrigate or furnish a potion to
מֵי
and given us water
H4325
מֵי
and given us water
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
17 of 21
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
רֹ֔אשׁ
of gall
H7219
רֹ֔אשׁ
of gall
Strong's:
H7219
Word #:
18 of 21
a poisonous plant, probably the poppy (from its conspicuous head); generally poison (even of serpents)
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
19 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Jeremiah 23:15Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land.Jeremiah 9:15Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink.Jeremiah 35:11But it came to pass, when Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came up into the land, that we said, Come, and let us go to Jerusalem for fear of the army of the Chaldeans, and for fear of the army of the Syrians: so we dwell at Jerusalem.Lamentations 3:19Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.Psalms 69:21They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.Matthew 27:34They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.Deuteronomy 29:18Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood;2 Samuel 20:6And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord's servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us.
Historical Context
During Babylon's invasions, rural populations fled to fortified cities like Jerusalem, Lachish, and Azekah (Jeremiah 34:7). Archaeological evidence from the Lachish Letters shows desperate communications between these besieged cities. The phrase 'water of gall' appears also in Jeremiah 9:15 and 23:15, indicating God forcing judgment upon the unfaithful. The people's acknowledgment 'we have sinned' may reflect too-late repentance as doom approached.
Questions for Reflection
- When does recognition of sin come too late to avert judgment's consequences?
- How does this verse's acknowledgment of sin contrast with the shamelessness described in verse 12?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This verse transitions to portraying the people's response to coming invasion: 'Why do we sit still? assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the defenced cities.' The Hebrew question 'al-mah anachnu yoshevim' (עַל־מָה אֲנַחְנוּ יֹשְׁבִים) reflects sudden awareness that inaction means death. 'Defenced cities' (arei hamibtzar, עָרֵי הַמִּבְצָר) were fortified urban centers offering military protection. Yet the bitter recognition follows: 'for the LORD our God hath put us to silence, and given us water of gall to drink.' 'Put to silence' (demamnu, דָּמָמְנוּ) means to be dumb, destroyed, cut off. 'Water of gall' (mei-rosh, מֵי־רֹאשׁ) indicates poisoned water, possibly hemlock—divine judgment bringing bitter death. 'Because we have sinned against the LORD' acknowledges the cause—their own covenant violation.