King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 8:15 Mean?

Jeremiah 8:15 in the King James Version says “We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of health, and behold trouble!” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of health, and behold trouble!”

Jeremiah 8:15 · KJV

Peace

Context

13

I will surely consume them, saith the LORD: there shall be no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree, and the leaf shall fade; and the things that I have given them shall pass away from them.

14

Why do we sit still? assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the defenced cities, and let us be silent there: for the LORD our God hath put us to silence, and given us water of gall to drink, because we have sinned against the LORD. gall: or, poison

15

We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of health, and behold trouble!

16

The snorting of his horses was heard from Dan: the whole land trembled at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones; for they are come, and have devoured the land, and all that is in it; the city, and those that dwell therein. all: Heb. the fulness thereof

17

For, behold, I will send serpents, cockatrices, among you, which will not be charmed, and they shall bite you, saith the LORD.

Read Jeremiah 8 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse captures disappointed hope: 'We looked for peace, but no good came.' The Hebrew qivvinu leshalom (קִוִּינוּ לְשָׁלוֹם) indicates confident expectation of the false prophets' 'shalom' message (v. 11). 'And for a time of health, and behold trouble!' uses the contrast between marpeh (מַרְפֵּא, healing) and be'atah (בְּעָתָה, terror, calamity). The false prophets had promised healing; reality delivered terror. This verse exposes false hope's bitter fruit—those who believed lying prophets discovered too late that their confidence was misplaced. The contrast between expected shalom and experienced be'atah represents total reversal of hope.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This lament would characterize Jerusalem's inhabitants during the sieges of 597 and 586 BC. Having been promised by court prophets that God would defend His city and temple, they watched Babylonian armies surround their walls. Lachish Letter IV mentions 'watching for the signals from Lachish'—desperate military communications during Nebuchadnezzar's campaign. The psychological devastation of realized judgment exceeded physical suffering.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does false hope based on false teaching compound suffering when reality arrives?
  2. What distinguishes genuine biblical hope from wishful thinking based on what we want God to do?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
קַוֵּ֥ה1 of 8

“We looked”

H6960

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

לְשָׁל֖וֹם2 of 8

“for peace”

H7965

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

וְאֵ֣ין3 of 8
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

ט֑וֹב4 of 8

“but 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

לְעֵ֥ת5 of 8

“came and for a time”

H6256

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

מַרְפֵּ֖ה6 of 8

“of health”

H4832

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

וְהִנֵּ֥ה7 of 8
H2009

lo!

בְעָתָֽה׃8 of 8

“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 8:15 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 8:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 14:191 Thessalonians 5:3Micah 1:12Jeremiah 8:11Jeremiah 4:10

Test Your Knowledge

Jeremiah 8 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJeremiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Jeremiah 8 with CommentaryAll Jeremiah ChaptersComplete Jeremiah QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes