(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ [Is] Israel a servant? [is] he a homeborn [slave]? why is he spoiled?
"Is Isra'el a slave, born into serfdom? If not, why has he become plunder?
Is Israel a slave? Was he born into slavery? Why then has he become prey?
Is Israel a servant? is he a home-born slave? why is he become a prey?
Is Israel{H3478} a servant{H5650}? is he a homeborn{H1004}{H3211} slave? why{H4069} is he spoiled{H957}?
Jeremiah 2:14 is a verse that confronts the nation of Israel with a series of rhetorical questions, challenging their current state and status. The historical context of this verse is set during the time leading up to the Babylonian exile, a period when the prophet Jeremiah was active (circa 626-586 BCE). Israel, referred to here as the northern kingdom, had already been taken into captivity by the Assyrians in 722 BCE. However, Judah, the southern kingdom, remained, and it is to Judah that Jeremiah directs his prophetic message.
In this verse, Jeremiah is questioning the status of Israel, using the term "servant" to evoke the idea of being subject to another nation, and "homeborn slave" to suggest someone born into servitude within one's own household. The questions are meant to provoke thought and self-examination among the people of Judah. Jeremiah is essentially asking, "Has Israel become like a servant or a slave, and if so, why has this happened to a people who were meant to be free and dedicated to God?"
The themes of this verse include the consequences of disobedience, the loss of identity, and the broken relationship between God and His people. Jeremiah is highlighting the irony and tragedy of Israel's situation; they have become like slaves despite being God's chosen people, and this servitude is a direct result of their unfaithfulness and idolatry. The verse implies that Israel's current predicament is self-inflicted, brought about by their abandonment of their covenant with God. Jeremiah's message is a call to repentance, urging the people to return to the Lord before their condition worsens. This verse is part of a larger prophetic discourse that warns of impending judgment if Judah does not change its ways.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)