King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 14:9 Mean?

Jeremiah 14:9 in the King James Version says “Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man that cannot save? yet thou, O LORD, art in the midst of us, and...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man that cannot save? yet thou, O LORD, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not. we: Heb. thy name is called upon us”

Jeremiah 14:9 · KJV

Salvation

Context

7

O LORD, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name's sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee.

8

O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?

9

Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man that cannot save? yet thou, O LORD, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not. we: Heb. thy name is called upon us

10

Thus saith the LORD unto this people, Thus have they loved to wander, they have not refrained their feet, therefore the LORD doth not accept them; he will now remember their iniquity, and visit their sins.

11

Then said the LORD unto me, Pray not for this people for their good.

Read Jeremiah 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man that cannot save? This verse represents Jeremiah's bold intercession during a severe drought and national crisis. The Hebrew word for "astonied" (damam, דָּמַם) means dumbfounded, stunned into silence, or helpless. Jeremiah questions why God would appear passive or powerless like a shocked human unable to act, or like a warrior (gibbor, גִּבּוֹר) who lacks strength to deliver.

The rhetorical question reveals both the prophet's perplexity and his underlying faith. Jeremiah knows God is mighty and can save, yet current circumstances make divine inaction seem inexplicable. This honest wrestling with God's apparent silence mirrors Job, the Psalmists, and Habakkuk—faithful believers struggling to reconcile God's character with His mysterious ways.

The affirmation "yet thou, O LORD, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name" anchors Jeremiah's plea in covenant relationship. The phrase "called by thy name" (shem qara, שֵׁם קָרָא) indicates ownership and identification—Israel belongs to Yahweh and bears His reputation. The final cry "leave us not" (al taniach, אַל־תַּנִּחֵנוּ) pleads for continued divine presence despite deserved judgment. This prayer anticipates Christ's intercession for His people (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25).

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Historical & Cultural Context

This passage comes from a prayer during a catastrophic drought that brought famine and desperation to Judah (Jeremiah 14:1-6). The drought served as divine judgment for persistent idolatry and covenant violation. Jeremiah, though called to announce judgment, also served as intercessor—a tension that marked his entire ministry.

The historical context likely dates to the reign of Jehoiakim (609-598 BCE), a period marked by political instability, Egyptian and Babylonian threats, and spiritual apostasy. The people maintained external religious observance while their hearts remained far from God. The drought exposed their helplessness and the futility of their idols (Jeremiah 14:22).

God's response to Jeremiah's intercession was sobering: even if Moses and Samuel (Israel's greatest intercessors) prayed, judgment must proceed (Jeremiah 15:1). This illustrates that while God welcomes intercession, there comes a point when persistent rebellion exhausts divine patience. The historical parallel is profound—just as the drought preceded Babylon's invasion, spiritual drought precedes divine judgment. Yet God's promise of future restoration (Jeremiah 31-33) shows that judgment is not God's final word for His covenant people.

Reflection Questions

  1. How should believers respond when God seems silent or inactive in the face of crisis?
  2. What does Jeremiah's honest, questioning prayer teach us about authentic communication with God?
  3. In what ways does bearing God's name create both privilege and responsibility for His people?
  4. How do we balance intercession for mercy with acceptance of God's righteous judgment?
  5. What does this passage reveal about the relationship between national sin and corporate suffering?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
לָ֤מָּה1 of 16
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

תִֽהְיֶה֙2 of 16
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כְּאִ֣ישׁ3 of 16

“Why shouldest thou be as a man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

נִדְהָ֔ם4 of 16

“astonied”

H1724

to be dumb, i.e., (figuratively) dumbfounded

כְּגִבּ֖וֹר5 of 16

“as a mighty man”

H1368

powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant

לֹא6 of 16
H3808

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

יוּכַ֣ל7 of 16

“that cannot”

H3201

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

לְהוֹשִׁ֑יעַ8 of 16

“save”

H3467

properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor

וְאַתָּ֧ה9 of 16
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

בְקִרְבֵּ֣נוּ10 of 16

“art in the midst”

H7130

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

יְהוָ֗ה11 of 16

“yet thou O LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וְשִׁמְךָ֛12 of 16

“by thy name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

עָלֵ֥ינוּ13 of 16
H5921

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

נִקְרָ֖א14 of 16

“of us and we are called”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

אַל15 of 16
H408

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

תַּנִּחֵֽנוּ׃16 of 16

“leave”

H3240

to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay

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 14:9 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 14:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 63:19Isaiah 59:1Psalms 46:5Numbers 14:15-16Numbers 11:23Jeremiah 15:16

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