King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 14:17 Mean?

Jeremiah 14:17 in the King James Version says “Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: f...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.”

Jeremiah 14:17 · KJV

Context

15

Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.

16

And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword; and they shall have none to bury them, them, their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters: for I will pour their wickedness upon them.

17

Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.

18

If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not. go about: or, make merchandise against a land, and men acknowledge it not

19

Hast thou utterly rejected Judah? hath thy soul lothed Zion? why hast thou smitten us, and there is no healing for us? we looked for peace, and there is no good; and for the time of healing, and behold trouble!

Read Jeremiah 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jeremiah is commanded to express appropriate grief: 'Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease.' The continuous weeping ('night and day,' 'let them not cease') reflects the tragedy's magnitude. The reason: 'for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.' The metaphor 'virgin daughter' emphasizes innocence and potential now destroyed. The 'great breach' and 'grievous blow' depict comprehensive devastation. This verse shows that prophetic ministry includes grief over God's judgments, not joy in vindication. True servants of God weep over judgment even when it's deserved and necessary.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jeremiah was known as 'the weeping prophet' for his grief over Judah's coming destruction. His sorrow demonstrated that faithful prophetic ministry includes compassion for those under judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How should those who proclaim God's judgment also grieve over its necessity?
  2. What does the metaphor 'virgin daughter' teach about unfulfilled potential destroyed by sin?
  3. How can we maintain both conviction about God's righteous judgments and compassion for those experiencing them?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְאָמַרְתָּ֤1 of 22

“Therefore thou shalt say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵיהֶם֙2 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶת3 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַדָּבָ֣ר4 of 22

“this word”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הַזֶּ֔ה5 of 22
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

תֵּרַ֨דְנָה6 of 22

“run down”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

עֵינַ֥י7 of 22

“unto them Let mine eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

דִּמְעָ֛ה8 of 22

“with tears”

H1832

weeping

לַ֥יְלָה9 of 22

“night”

H3915

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

וְיוֹמָ֖ם10 of 22

“and day”

H3119

daily

וְאַל11 of 22
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּדְמֶ֑ינָה12 of 22

“and let them not cease”

H1820

to be dumb or silent; hence, to fail or perish; trans. to destroy

כִּי֩13 of 22
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

שֶׁ֨בֶר14 of 22

“is broken”

H7665

to burst (literally or figuratively)

גָּד֜וֹל15 of 22

“with a great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

נִשְׁבְּרָ֗ה16 of 22

“breach”

H7667

a fracture, figuratively, ruin; specifically, a solution (of a dream)

בְּתוּלַת֙17 of 22

“for the virgin”

H1330

a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a city or state

בַּת18 of 22

“daughter”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

עַמִּ֔י19 of 22

“of my people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

מַכָּ֖ה20 of 22

“blow”

H4347

a blow (in 2 chronicles 2:10, of the flail); by implication, a wound; figuratively, carnage, also pestilence

נַחְלָ֥ה21 of 22

“grievous”

H2470

properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to stroke (in flattering), entreat

מְאֹֽד׃22 of 22

“with a very”

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 14:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 14:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 8:21Lamentations 1:15-16Jeremiah 13:17Jeremiah 9:1Lamentations 2:13Micah 6:13

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