King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 30:14 Mean?

Jeremiah 30:14 in the King James Version says “All thy lovers have forgotten thee; they seek thee not; for I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy, with the cha... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

All thy lovers have forgotten thee; they seek thee not; for I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one, for the multitude of thine iniquity; because thy sins were increased.

Jeremiah 30:14 · KJV


Context

12

For thus saith the LORD, Thy bruise is incurable, and thy wound is grievous.

13

There is none to plead thy cause, that thou mayest be bound up: thou hast no healing medicines. that: Heb. for binding up, or, pressing

14

All thy lovers have forgotten thee; they seek thee not; for I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one, for the multitude of thine iniquity; because thy sins were increased.

15

Why criest thou for thine affliction? thy sorrow is incurable for the multitude of thine iniquity: because thy sins were increased, I have done these things unto thee.

16

Therefore all they that devour thee shall be devoured; and all thine adversaries, every one of them, shall go into captivity; and they that spoil thee shall be a spoil, and all that prey upon thee will I give for a prey.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
All thy lovers have forgotten thee (כָּל מְאַהֲבַיִךְ שְׁכֵחוּךְ, 'kol me'ahavayikh shekhechuakh')—the 'lovers' (מְאַהֲבִים, 'me'ahavim') refers to political allies and false gods Israel pursued. The covenant metaphor intensifies: I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy (מַכַּת אוֹיֵב הִכִּיתִיךְ, 'makat oyev hikitikh').

The shocking theology: God Himself acts as enemy (אוֹיֵב, 'oyev') to discipline covenant rebellion. The multitude of thine iniquity (רֹב עֲוֹנֵךְ, 'rov avonekh') explains the severity—not arbitrary cruelty but covenant justice. This severity reveals the seriousness of sin and the depth of betrayal when God's people chase other lovers.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Egypt, Phoenicia, and other nations Israel had courted through treaties failed to defend her against Babylon. Jeremiah repeatedly warned against trusting these alliances instead of Yahweh (Jer 2:36-37).

Reflection Questions

  1. What modern 'lovers' do Christians chase instead of wholehearted devotion to God?
  2. How do you respond when God's discipline feels like an enemy's attack?
  3. Why must God sometimes wound those He loves in order to heal deeper spiritual disease?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
כָּל1 of 17
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מְאַהֲבַ֣יִךְ2 of 17

All thy lovers

H157

to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

שְׁכֵח֔וּךְ3 of 17

have forgotten

H7911

to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention

אוֹתָ֖ךְ4 of 17
H853

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

לֹ֣א5 of 17
H3808

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

יִדְרֹ֑שׁוּ6 of 17

thee they seek

H1875

properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship

כִּי֩7 of 17
H3588

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

מַכַּ֨ת8 of 17

thee with the wound

H4347

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

אוֹיֵ֤ב9 of 17

of an enemy

H341

hating; an adversary

הִכִּיתִיךְ֙10 of 17

thee not for I have wounded

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

מוּסַ֣ר11 of 17

with the chastisement

H4148

properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint

אַכְזָרִ֔י12 of 17

of a cruel one

H394

terrible

עַ֚ל13 of 17
H5921

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

רֹ֣ב14 of 17

for the multitude

H7230

abundance (in any respect)

עֲוֹנֵ֔ךְ15 of 17

of thine iniquity

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

עָצְמ֖וּ16 of 17

were increased

H6105

to bind fast, i.e., close (the eyes); intransitively, to be (causatively, make) powerful or numerous; to crunch the bones

חַטֹּאתָֽיִךְ׃17 of 17

because thy sins

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender


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 30:14 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 30:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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