King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 14:3 Mean?

Jeremiah 14:3 in the King James Version says “And their nobles have sent their little ones to the waters: they came to the pits , and found no water; they returned wi... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And their nobles have sent their little ones to the waters: they came to the pits , and found no water; they returned with their vessels empty; they were ashamed and confounded, and covered their heads.

Jeremiah 14:3 · KJV


Context

1

The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the dearth. the dearth: Heb. the words of the dearths, or, restraints

2

Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish; they are black unto the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up.

3

And their nobles have sent their little ones to the waters: they came to the pits , and found no water; they returned with their vessels empty; they were ashamed and confounded, and covered their heads.

4

Because the ground is chapt, for there was no rain in the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they covered their heads.

5

Yea, the hind also calved in the field, and forsook it, because there was no grass.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The drought affects even the nobility: 'And their nobles have sent their little ones to the waters: they came to the pits, and found no water; they returned with their vessels empty.' The fact that nobles send servants shows water scarcity across all classes. The fruitless search ('found no water,' 'returned with their vessels empty') depicts futility under judgment. The response: 'they were ashamed and confounded, and covered their heads'—gestures of humiliation and mourning. This shows that privilege provides no immunity from God's judgments. When He withdraws blessing, all human status proves meaningless.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient cities depended on cisterns, wells, and springs. Prolonged drought meant even traditionally reliable water sources failed. Covering the head indicated shame and distress (2 Samuel 15:30; Esther 6:12).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does drought's effect on all classes demonstrate that privilege cannot protect from divine judgment?
  2. What does empty vessels returning symbolize about human efforts apart from God's blessing?
  3. How should prosperity and comfort's removal produce humility and repentance?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְאַדִּ֣רֵיהֶ֔ם1 of 17

And their nobles

H117

wide or (generally) large; figuratively, powerful

שָׁלְח֥וּ2 of 17

have sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

צְעִורֵיהֶ֖ם3 of 17

their little ones

H6810

little; (in number) few; (in age) young, (in value) ignoble

מַ֗יִם4 of 17

no water

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

בָּ֣אוּ5 of 17

they came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

עַל6 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

גֵּבִ֞ים7 of 17

to the pits

H1356

a log (as cut out); also well or cistern (as dug)

לֹא8 of 17
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

מָ֣צְאוּ9 of 17

and found

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

מַ֗יִם10 of 17

no water

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

שָׁ֤בוּ11 of 17

they returned

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

כְלֵיהֶם֙12 of 17

with their vessels

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

רֵיקָ֔ם13 of 17

empty

H7387

emptily; figuratively (objective) ineffectually, (subjective) undeservedly

בֹּ֥שׁוּ14 of 17

they were ashamed

H954

properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed

וְהָכְלְמ֖וּ15 of 17

and confounded

H3637

properly, to wound; but only figuratively, to taunt or insult

וְחָפ֥וּ16 of 17

and covered

H2645

to cover; by implication, to veil, to encase, protect

רֹאשָֽׁם׃17 of 17

their heads

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)


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 14:3 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 14:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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