King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 14:19 Mean?

Jeremiah 14:19 in the King James Version says “Hast thou utterly rejected Judah? hath thy soul lothed Zion? why hast thou smitten us, and there is no healing for us? w...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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!”

Jeremiah 14:19 · KJV

Peace

Context

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!

20

We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee.

21

Do not abhor us, for thy name's sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us.

Read Jeremiah 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The prayer continues, appealing to God's covenant relationship: 'Hast thou utterly rejected Judah? hath thy soul lothed Zion?' The questions seek clarification: is this temporary discipline or final rejection? The evidence suggests rejection: 'why hast thou smitten us, and there is no healing for us?' They sought shalom but 'there is no good,' sought healing but 'behold trouble!' This prayer wrestles with the tension between God's covenant promises and present judgment. The questions reflect theological confusion: how can covenant God utterly reject His people? The Reformed doctrine of remnant provides the answer: corporate judgment doesn't negate particular election.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Despite coming judgment, God promised eventual restoration after 70 years (Jeremiah 29:10-14). Corporate judgment on that generation didn't mean eternal rejection of all Israel; a remnant would return.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do we distinguish between God's temporary discipline and permanent rejection?
  2. What is the relationship between corporate judgment and individual election?
  3. How should covenant promises inform prayer during times of severe discipline?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
מָאַ֜סְתָּ1 of 21

“Hast thou utterly”

H3988

to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear

מָאַ֜סְתָּ2 of 21

“Hast thou utterly”

H3988

to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear

אֶת3 of 21
H853

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

יְהוּדָ֗ה4 of 21

“Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

אִם5 of 21
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

בְּצִיּוֹן֙6 of 21

“Zion”

H6726

tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem

גָּעֲלָ֣ה7 of 21

“lothed”

H1602

to detest; by implication, to reject

נַפְשֶׁ֔ךָ8 of 21

“hath thy soul”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

מַדּ֙וּעַ֙9 of 21
H4069

what (is) known?; i.e., (by implication) (adverbially) why?

הִכִּיתָ֔נוּ10 of 21

“why hast thou smitten”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

וְאֵ֥ין11 of 21
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

לָ֖נוּ12 of 21
H0
מַרְפֵּ֖א13 of 21

“of healing”

H4832

properly, curative, i.e., literally (concretely) a medicine, or (abstractly) a cure; figuratively (concretely) deliverance, or (abstractly) placidity

קַוֵּ֤ה14 of 21

“for us we looked”

H6960

to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e., collect; (figuratively) to expect

לְשָׁלוֹם֙15 of 21

“for peace”

H7965

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

וְאֵ֣ין16 of 21
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

ט֔וֹב17 of 21

“and there is no good”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

וּלְעֵ֥ת18 of 21

“and for the time”

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

מַרְפֵּ֖א19 of 21

“of healing”

H4832

properly, curative, i.e., literally (concretely) a medicine, or (abstractly) a cure; figuratively (concretely) deliverance, or (abstractly) placidity

וְהִנֵּ֥ה20 of 21
H2009

lo!

בְעָתָֽה׃21 of 21

“and behold trouble”

H1205

fear

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 14:19 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 14:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Lamentations 5:22Jeremiah 8:151 Thessalonians 5:3Jeremiah 6:30Jeremiah 30:13Psalms 78:59

Places in This Verse

ZionSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E148 verses across 19 books
View all places in Jeremiah 14 →

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