Jeremiah 14:4
Jeremiah 14:4 in Multiple Translations
The ground is cracked because no rain has fallen on the land. The farmers are ashamed; they cover their heads.
Because the ground is chapt, for there was no rain in the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they covered their heads.
Because of the ground which is cracked, for that no rain hath been in the land, the plowmen are put to shame, they cover their heads.
Those who do work on the land are in fear, for there has been no rain on the land, and the farmers are shamed, covering their heads.
The ground has dried up because there hasn't been any rain in the land. The farmers are ashamed; they cover their heads.
For the grounde was destroyed, because there was no rayne in the earth: the plowmen were ashamed, and couered their heads.
Because the ground hath been broken, For there hath been no rain in the land, Ashamed have been husbandmen, They have covered their head.
Because of the ground which is cracked, because no rain has been in the land, the plowmen are disappointed. They cover their heads.
Because the ground is chapt, for there was no rain on the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they covered their heads.
For the destruction of the land, because there came no rain upon the earth, the husbandmen were confounded, they covered their heads.
The ground is extremely dry and cracked open because there has been no rain. The farmers are very worried, so they also cover their heads.
Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 14:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Jeremiah 14:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
בַּ/עֲב֤וּר
הָ/אֲדָמָה֙
חַ֔תָּה
כִּ֛י
לֹא
הָיָ֥ה
גֶ֖שֶׁם
בָּ/אָ֑רֶץ
בֹּ֥שׁוּ
אִכָּרִ֖ים
חָפ֥וּ
רֹאשָֽׁ/ם
בַּ/עֲב֤וּר
ʻâbûwr
H5668
for the sake of
Prep | N-ms
הָ/אֲדָמָה֙
ʼădâmâh
H127
land
Art | N-fs
חַ֔תָּה
châthath
H2865
to to be dismayed
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
כִּ֛י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
הָיָ֥ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
גֶ֖שֶׁם
geshem
H1653
rain
N-ms
בָּ/אָ֑רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
Prep | N-cs
בֹּ֥שׁוּ
bûwsh
H954
be ashamed
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
אִכָּרִ֖ים
ʼikkâr
H406
farmer
N-mp
חָפ֥וּ
châphâh
H2645
to cover
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
רֹאשָֽׁ/ם
rôʼsh
H7218
head
N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 14:4
בַּ/עֲב֤וּר
ʻâbûwr
H5668
"for the sake of"
Prep | N-ms
This Hebrew word means for the sake of or because of something, like in Genesis when God acts on account of his people's needs. It shows a reason or purpose behind an action. The KJV often translates it as because of or for someone's sake.
Definition: prep 1) for the sake of, on account of, because of, in order to conj 2) in order that
Usage: Occurs in 47 OT verses. KJV: because of, for (...'s sake), (intent) that, to. See also: Genesis 3:17; 2 Samuel 5:12; Psalms 105:45.
הָ/אֲדָמָה֙
ʼădâmâh
H127
"land"
Art | N-fs
This Hebrew word refers to the earth or soil, often describing the ground as a source of sustenance. It is used to describe the physical earth, a plot of land, or even a whole country. The KJV translates it as 'country', 'earth', or 'land'.
Definition: : soil 1) ground, land 1a) ground (as general, tilled, yielding sustenance) 1b) piece of ground, a specific plot of land 1c) earth substance (for building or constructing) 1d) ground as earth's visible surface 1e) land, territory, country 1f) whole inhabited earth 1g) city in Naphtali
Usage: Occurs in 211 OT verses. KJV: country, earth, ground, husband(-man) (-ry), land. See also: Genesis 1:25; 1 Kings 8:40; Psalms 49:12.
חַ֔תָּה
châthath
H2865
"to to be dismayed"
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
To be completely broken or shattered, either physically or emotionally, causing fear or dismay, as in Psalm 6:2.
Definition: 1) to be shattered, be dismayed, be broken, be abolished, be afraid 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be shattered, be broken 1a2) to be dismayed 1b) (Niphal) to be broken, be dismayed 1c) (Piel) to be shattered, be dismayed, be scared 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to be dismayed 1d2) to dismay, terrify 1d3) to shatter
Usage: Occurs in 45 OT verses. KJV: abolish, affright, be (make) afraid, amaze, beat down, discourage, (cause to) dismay, go down, scare, terrify. See also: Deuteronomy 1:21; Isaiah 37:27; Isaiah 8:9.
כִּ֛י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
הָיָ֥ה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
גֶ֖שֶׁם
geshem
H1653
"rain"
N-ms
This Hebrew word means a shower or rain, like a refreshing downpour from the sky. It appears in the Bible to describe weather. In the KJV, it is translated as rain or shower.
Definition: rain, shower
Usage: Occurs in 33 OT verses. KJV: rain, shower. See also: Genesis 7:12; Ecclesiastes 11:3; Psalms 68:10.
בָּ/אָ֑רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
Prep | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
בֹּ֥שׁוּ
bûwsh
H954
"be ashamed"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
To be ashamed is what this Hebrew word means, implying a feeling of guilt or disappointment. It is used to describe someone who is disconcerted or delayed, like in the story of Adam and Eve. Shame is a strong emotion.
Definition: 1) to put to shame, be ashamed, be disconcerted, be disappointed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to feel shame 1a2) to be ashamed, disconcerted, disappointed (by reason of) 1b) (Piel) to delay (in shame) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to put to shame 1c2) to act shamefully 1c3) to be ashamed 1d) (Hithpolel) to be ashamed before one another
Usage: Occurs in 105 OT verses. KJV: (be, make, bring to, cause, put to, with, a-) shamed(-d), be (put to) confounded(-fusion), become dry, delay, be long. See also: Genesis 2:25; Isaiah 24:23; Psalms 6:11.
אִכָּרִ֖ים
ʼikkâr
H406
"farmer"
N-mp
A farmer is someone who works the land, like the ones who tilled the soil in ancient Israel. They did not necessarily own the land, but worked it to produce crops, often for others. The Bible mentions farmers in various contexts, including the parables of Jesus.
Definition: 1) plowman, husbandman, farmer 1a) working the land, yet not owning any of it
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: husbandman, ploughman. See also: 2 Chronicles 26:10; Jeremiah 31:24; Isaiah 61:5.
חָפ֥וּ
châphâh
H2645
"to cover"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
To cover something, like a roof or a secret, is what this word means in the original Hebrew. It appears in Exodus 26:14, describing the covering of the tabernacle. This concept is also seen in 1 Kings 7:3.
Definition: 1) to cover, overlay, wainscotted, covered with boards or panelling 1a) (Qal) to cover 1b)(Niphal) to be covered 1c) (Piel) to cover, overlay
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: ceil, cover, overlay. See also: 2 Samuel 15:30; Esther 6:12; Psalms 68:14.
רֹאשָֽׁ/ם
rôʼsh
H7218
"head"
N-ms | Suff
This Hebrew word means chief or prince, and is used to describe leaders in the Bible, such as in the book of 1 Samuel. It signifies a position of authority and importance.
Definition: : head 1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning 1a) head (of man, animals) 1b) top, tip (of mountain) 1c) height (of stars) 1d) chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest) 1e) head, front, beginning 1f) chief, choicest, best 1g) head, division, company, band 1h) sum
Usage: Occurs in 547 OT verses. KJV: band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, [idiom] every (man), excellent, first, forefront, (be-)head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), [idiom] lead, [idiom] poor, principal, ruler, sum, top. See also: Genesis 2:10; Numbers 17:18; 2 Samuel 4:7.
Study Notes — Jeremiah 14:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Jeremiah 14:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 14:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 14:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 14:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 14:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 14:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 14:4
- Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 14:4
- Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 14:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 14:4
- Sermons on Jeremiah 14:4
Context — Drought, Famine, Sword, and Plague
2“Judah mourns and her gates languish. Her people wail for the land, and a cry goes up from Jerusalem.
3The nobles send their servants for water; they go to the cisterns, but find no water; their jars return empty. They are ashamed and humiliated; they cover their heads.
4The ground is cracked because no rain has fallen on the land. The farmers are ashamed; they cover their heads.
5Even the doe in the field deserts her newborn fawn because there is no grass. 6Wild donkeys stand on barren heights; they pant for air like jackals; their eyes fail for lack of pasture.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joel 1:19–20 | To You, O LORD, I call, for fire has consumed the open pastures and flames have scorched all the trees of the field. Even the beasts of the field pant for You, for the streams of water have dried up, and fire has consumed the open pastures. |
| 2 | Joel 1:11 | Be dismayed, O farmers, wail, O vinedressers, over the wheat and barley, because the harvest of the field has perished. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 3:3 | Therefore the showers have been withheld, and no spring rains have fallen. Yet you have the brazen look of a prostitute; you refuse to be ashamed. |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 29:23 | All its soil will be a burning waste of sulfur and salt, unsown and unproductive, with no plant growing on it, just like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which the LORD overthrew in His fierce anger. |
| 5 | Joel 1:17 | The seeds lie shriveled beneath the clods; the storehouses are in ruins; the granaries are broken down, for the grain has withered away. |
| 6 | Leviticus 26:19–20 | I will break down your stubborn pride and make your sky like iron and your land like bronze, and your strength will be spent in vain. For your land will not yield its produce, and the trees of the land will not bear their fruit. |
| 7 | Deuteronomy 28:23–24 | The sky over your head will be bronze, and the earth beneath you iron. The LORD will turn the rain of your land into dust and powder; it will descend on you from the sky until you are destroyed. |
Jeremiah 14:4 Summary
Jeremiah 14:4 describes a severe drought that has caused the ground to crack and the farmers to be ashamed. This is a picture of what happens when we are not living in close relationship with God and are not receiving the spiritual nourishment we need (as seen in Psalm 1:3 and Jeremiah 17:8). Just as the ground needs rain to produce a harvest, our souls need the 'rain' of God's Word and Spirit to be fruitful and healthy. By seeking God and His blessing, we can experience spiritual growth and refreshment, as promised in Ezekiel 34:26 and Matthew 5:6.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main reason for the ground being cracked in Jeremiah 14:4?
The main reason for the ground being cracked is that no rain has fallen on the land, as stated in Jeremiah 14:4, which is a result of God's judgment, similar to what is described in Deuteronomy 28:23-24.
Why are the farmers ashamed and covering their heads in Jeremiah 14:4?
The farmers are ashamed and covering their heads because they have been unable to produce a harvest due to the lack of rain, which is a source of shame and humiliation for them, as also seen in Jeremiah 14:3 where the nobles are ashamed and humiliated due to the lack of water.
Is the situation in Jeremiah 14:4 a unique event or part of a larger pattern?
The situation in Jeremiah 14:4 is part of a larger pattern of God's judgment on Judah for their sin, as described in Jeremiah 14:1-6, and is reminiscent of the covenant curses found in Leviticus 26:19-20 and Deuteronomy 28:15-24.
What does the image of the cracked ground in Jeremiah 14:4 represent?
The image of the cracked ground in Jeremiah 14:4 represents the spiritual barrenness and desolation that results from sin and disobedience to God, as also seen in Isaiah 5:6 where the vineyard is overgrown with thorns and briers due to God's judgment.
Reflection Questions
- How can I apply the lesson of Jeremiah 14:4 to my own life, recognizing the consequences of spiritual drought and the importance of seeking God's refreshment?
- In what ways can I, like the farmers in Jeremiah 14:4, be aware of my own dependence on God's blessing and provision in my daily life?
- What are some areas in my life where I may be experiencing a 'drought' or lack of spiritual growth, and how can I seek God's restoration and refreshment in those areas, as promised in Psalm 107:35 and Isaiah 41:18?
- How can I, as a believer, be a source of hope and encouragement to others who may be experiencing spiritual dryness or difficulty, as described in Jeremiah 14:4 and other passages?
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 14:4
Because the ground is chapt,.... Through the violent heat of the sun, and want of rain; or, is broken (y); and crumbles into dust.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 14:4
Because the ground is chapt, for there was no rain in the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they covered their heads. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 14:4
The Hebrew word signifieth more largely than chapt, broken, spoiled, turned into dust, as is usual in great droughts. The word also which we translate ploughmen, doth not strictly signify ploughmen, but husbandmen: there having been no rain upon the earth, it brought forth little or no grass for those that employed themselves in breeding or feeding cattle; and it was so hard, and so much wanted moisture, that they could not plough nor sow, but were like men ashamed and confounded, who knew not what to do.
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 14:4
Jeremiah 14:4 Because the ground is chapt, for there was no rain in the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they covered their heads.Ver. 4. Because the ground is chapt.] As our hearts also are and will be, when the heaven doth not hear the earth. It hath been before observed, that in the use of the ordinances, if we open our shells (our souls), the heaven will drop the fruitful dew of grace to the making of pearls of good works and solid virtue.
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 14:4
(4) The ground is chapt.—The word is so vivid as describing the long fissures of the soil in a time of drought that one admits with reluctance that no such meaning is found in the Hebrew word, which simply means is struck with terror. The translators apparently followed Luther, who gives lechzet—“languishes for thirst,” “gapes open with exhaustion,” and so applied to the earth, “is cracked or chapt.” As the “gates” in Jeremiah 14:2 stood for the people of the city, so the “ground” stands here as in visible sympathy with the tillers of the soil, the “plowmen” of the next clause. They covered their heads.—There is a singular, almost awful, pathos in the iteration of this description. Cities and country alike are plunged into the utter blackness of despair.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 14:4
Verse 4. The ground is chapt] The cracks in the earth before the descent of the rains are in some places a cubit wide, and deep enough to receive the greater part of a human body.
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 14:4
4. Because of the ground, etc.] rather, according to Du.’s excellent emendation, with a slight change in MT., virtually supported by LXX, The tillers of the ground are dismayed. This enables us to restore (with mg.) to the verb rendered “chapt,” but elsewhere used only of persons, its right sense, thus at the same time re-establishing parallelism of clauses.
Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 14:4
Is chapt - Rather, is dismayed. “The ground” is used metaphorically for the people who until the ground. In the earth - i. e., “in the land.”
Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 14:4
4. Chapped — Rather, dismayed, or confounded. The Hebrew, more frequently than western languages, speaks of inanimate things as animate. The earth — Rather, the land.
Sermons on Jeremiah 14:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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A Burning Heart by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher references various verses from the Bible, including Jeremiah chapter 4 and Joel chapter 1. He emphasizes the need for repentance and laments the state |
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Isaiah 64 by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of studying Acts 26 and Isaiah 40 in order to understand the role of a preacher and the concept of God. He encourages preache |
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A Whore's Forehead by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks delivers a poignant sermon titled 'A Whore's Forehead,' emphasizing the alarming lack of shame in society regarding sin, as illustrated by the scriptures from Jeremia |
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The River of Life by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher discusses a vision that the prophet Ezekiel had about a river of life. The preacher emphasizes that this vision is a prophecy for the Church of the lat |
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(Joel) the Day of the Lord Brings Judah Low by David Guzik | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the prophecy of Joel and the judgment that had come upon Judah in the form of a plague of locusts. He addresses the common question of why Go |
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Homily 3 on the Statues by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom preaches about the departure of Flavian, Bishop of Antioch, on an embassy to the Emperor Theodosius, emphasizing the sacrifice and dedication of a true shepherd who |
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If My People Humble Themselves - Part 2 by Shane Idleman | This sermon delves into the destructive nature of pride, highlighting personal struggles with pride and the impact it has on relationships, families, and spiritual life. It emphasi |