King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Why should you be like a man in shock, like a champion unable to save? You, ADONAI, are right here with us; we bear your name - don't leave us!
Berean Standard Bible:
Why are You like a man taken by surprise, like a warrior powerless to save? Yet You are among us, O LORD, and we are called by Your name. Do not forsake us!
American Standard Version:
Why shouldest thou be as a man affrighted, as a mighty man that cannot save? Yet thou, O Jehovah, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Why shouldest thou be as a man{H376} astonied{H1724}, as a mighty man{H1368} that cannot{H3201} save{H3467}? yet thou, O LORD{H3068}, art in the midst{H7130} of us, and we are called{H7121} by thy name{H8034}; leave{H3240} us not.
Cross-References (KJV):
Isaiah 63:19
- We are [thine]: thou never barest rule over them; they were not called by thy name.
Isaiah 59:1
- ¶ Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
Numbers 11:23
- And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD'S hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.
Psalms 46:5
- God [is] in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, [and that] right early.
Numbers 14:15
- Now [if] thou shalt kill [all] this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak, saying,
Numbers 14:16
- Because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land which he sware unto them, therefore he hath slain them in the wilderness.
Jeremiah 15:16
- Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Jeremiah 14:9
Jeremiah 14:9 is a verse that captures the anguish of the prophet Jeremiah and the people of Judah during a time of severe drought and distress. This verse is part of a larger lament in which Jeremiah pleads with God on behalf of his people. The historical context is set during the final years of the kingdom of Judah, just before the Babylonian exile, a period marked by political turmoil, idolatry, and social decay.
In this verse, Jeremiah confronts God with a poignant question, expressing dismay at the apparent helplessness of the people. The phrase "as a man astonied, as a mighty man that cannot save" suggests that the people are in a state of shock and powerlessness, akin to a warrior who is unable to rescue or protect. This is a stark contrast to the might and salvation that the people expect from their deity.
The latter part of the verse, "yet thou, O LORD, [art] in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not," reveals a profound theological understanding. Despite their current suffering, Jeremiah acknowledges God's presence among the people ("in the midst of us") and their identity as being called by God's name, indicating a special relationship with the Divine. This relationship carries with it an expectation of protection and care. Jeremiah's plea, "leave us not," is a desperate call for God not to abandon them in their time of need, reflecting a deep sense of reliance on God's mercy and faithfulness.
The themes of this verse include the tension between divine justice and mercy, the suffering of the innocent, the role of a prophet as intercessor, and the covenantal relationship between God and His people. Jeremiah's prayer exemplifies the complex dynamics of faith in times of trial, highlighting the struggle to reconcile belief in a powerful, present God with the reality of human suffering. It is a powerful expression of hope in the midst of despair, a call for divine intervention when all human efforts have failed.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H376
There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִישׁ
Transliteration: ʼîysh
Pronunciation: eesh
Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); 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); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה. - Strong's Number: H1724
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָּהַם
Transliteration: dâham
Pronunciation: daw-ham'
Description: a primitive root (compare דּוּחַ); to be dumb, i.e. (figuratively) dumbfounded; astonished. - Strong's Number: H1368
There are 152 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גִּבּוֹר
Transliteration: gibbôwr
Pronunciation: ghib-bore'
Description: or גִּבֹּר; (shortened) intensive from the same as גֶּבֶר; powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant; champion, chief, [idiom] excel, giant, man, mighty (man, one), strong (man), valiant man. - Strong's Number: H3201
There are 182 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָכֹל
Transliteration: yâkôl
Pronunciation: yaw-kole'
Description: or (fuller) יָכוֹל; a primitive root; to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might); be able, any at all (ways), attain, can (away with, (-not)), could, endure, might, overcome, have power, prevail, still, suffer. - Strong's Number: H3467
There are 198 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָשַׁע
Transliteration: yâshaʻ
Pronunciation: yaw-shah'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor; [idiom] at all, avenging, defend, deliver(-er), help, preserve, rescue, be safe, bring (having) salvation, save(-iour), get victory. - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H7130
There are 220 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קֶרֶב
Transliteration: qereb
Pronunciation: keh'-reb
Description: from קָרַב; properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition); [idiom] among, [idiom] before, bowels, [idiom] unto charge, [phrase] eat (up), [idiom] heart, [idiom] him, [idiom] in, inward ([idiom] -ly, part, -s, thought), midst, [phrase] out of, purtenance, [idiom] therein, [idiom] through, [idiom] within self. - Strong's Number: H7121
There are 689 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָרָא
Transliteration: qârâʼ
Pronunciation: kaw-raw'
Description: a primitive root (rather identical with קָרָא through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications); bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say. - Strong's Number: H8034
There are 771 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֵׁם
Transliteration: shêm
Pronunciation: shame
Description: a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare שָׁמַיִם); an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character; [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report. - Strong's Number: H3240
There are 73 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָנַח
Transliteration: yânach
Pronunciation: yaw-nakh'
Description: a primitive root; to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay; bestow, cast down, lay (down, up), leave (off), let alone (remain), pacify, place, put, set (down), suffer, withdraw, withhold. (The Hiphil forms with the dagesh are here referred to, in accordance with the older grammarians; but if any distinction of the kind is to be made, these should rather be referred to נוּחַ, and the others here.)