King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 17:14 Mean?

Jeremiah 17:14 in the King James Version says “Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.”

Jeremiah 17:14 · KJV

Salvation

Context

12

A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary.

13

O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.

14

Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.

15

Behold, they say unto me, Where is the word of the LORD? let it come now.

16

As for me, I have not hastened from being a pastor to follow thee: neither have I desired the woeful day; thou knowest: that which came out of my lips was right before thee. to: Heb. after thee

Read Jeremiah 17 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jeremiah's prayer shifts from prophetic proclamation to personal petition. "Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed" employs emphatic repetition—the verb rapha (רָפָא) appears twice, underscoring that only divine healing is effective and complete. The parallel "save me, and I shall be saved" uses yasha (יָשַׁע), the root from which we get "Jesus" (Yeshua)—salvation, deliverance, rescue.

The phrases "I shall be healed" and "I shall be saved" express complete confidence that what God does is efficacious and permanent. Human healers and saviors may fail, but God's work is certain. "For thou art my praise" (tehillati, תְּהִלָּתִי) indicates that God Himself is the object and content of Jeremiah's worship—not merely that Jeremiah praises God, but that God is inherently praiseworthy and the source of all boasting (cf. 1 Cor 1:31).

This prayer models the Reformed understanding that salvation and spiritual health are entirely dependent on God's sovereign grace. We cannot heal or save ourselves; only God's intervention can transform our desperately wicked hearts (v. 9). Christ the Great Physician came not for the healthy but for the sick (Luke 5:31-32), offering the healing and salvation that Jeremiah longed for.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Prophets often faced personal crises as they bore God's word to rebellious people. Jeremiah's ministry was marked by persecution, imprisonment, and rejection (Jer 11:18-23, 20:1-6, 37-38). His prayers of lament (11:18-20, 15:15-18, 20:7-18) reveal the emotional and spiritual toll of prophetic ministry. This petition for healing likely refers to both physical affliction and spiritual anguish caused by opposition and the burden of his message.

Reflection Questions

  1. What areas of your life need divine healing that human resources cannot provide?
  2. How does Jeremiah's confidence in God's healing challenge modern self-sufficiency and therapeutic approaches?
  3. In what ways is Christ the ultimate fulfillment of the healing and salvation Jeremiah seeks?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
וְאֵ֣רָפֵ֔א1 of 8

“Heal”

H7495

properly, to mend (by stitching), i.e., (figuratively) to cure

יְהוָה֙2 of 8

“me O LORD”

H3068

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

וְאֵ֣רָפֵ֔א3 of 8

“Heal”

H7495

properly, to mend (by stitching), i.e., (figuratively) to cure

וְאִוָּשֵׁ֑עָה4 of 8

“me and I shall be saved”

H3467

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

וְאִוָּשֵׁ֑עָה5 of 8

“me and I shall be saved”

H3467

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

כִּ֥י6 of 8
H3588

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

תְהִלָּתִ֖י7 of 8

“for thou art my praise”

H8416

laudation; specifically (concretely) a hymn

אָֽתָּה׃8 of 8
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

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 17:14 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 17:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 6:2Deuteronomy 32:39Luke 4:18Psalms 106:47Isaiah 57:18-19Psalms 6:4

Test Your Knowledge

Jeremiah 17 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJeremiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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