Jeremiah 14:17

KJV

¶ Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore thou shalt say {H559} this word {H1697} unto them; Let mine eyes {H5869} run down {H3381} with tears {H1832} night {H3915} and day {H3119}, and let them not cease {H1820}: for the virgin {H1330} daughter {H1323} of my people {H5971} is broken {H7665} with a great {H1419} breach {H7667}, with a very {H3966} grievous {H2470} blow {H4347}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You are to give them this message: 'Let my eyes stream with tears night and day, unceasingly, because the virgin daughter of my people has been severely broken; she has been dealt a crushing blow.

Berean Standard Bible

You are to speak this word to them: ‘My eyes overflow with tears; day and night they do not cease, for the virgin daughter of my people has been shattered by a crushing blow, a severely grievous wound.

American Standard Version

And thou shalt say this word unto them, Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease; for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous wound.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 14:17 serves as a poignant divine command to the prophet Jeremiah, instructing him to embody and vocalize God's profound sorrow over the impending desolation of Judah. This verse encapsulates the deep anguish felt by God for His covenant people, who, despite their privileged status as the "virgin daughter," have become utterly shattered by their persistent rebellion and the resultant divine judgment, manifesting as a catastrophic "breach" and "grievous blow." It is a lament that highlights the tragic consequences of sin and the compassionate, yet just, heart of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a section of Jeremiah (chapters 14-15) that primarily addresses a severe drought and famine afflicting Judah, which is understood as a direct consequence of their widespread idolatry and spiritual apostasy. The preceding verses detail God's firm refusal to answer the people's prayers for rain, declaring instead that He will bring further judgments of sword, famine, and pestilence (`/jeremiah/14-12 "Jeremiah 14:12 - God's Refusal to Hear"`) because of their unrepentant sin. Jeremiah 14:17 thus functions as a prophetic lament, a divinely ordained expression of grief that mirrors God's own heartache. It marks a turning point where the focus shifts from the people's lament and false prophecies to God's unyielding sorrow and the prophet's mandated participation in that grief. The command for Jeremiah to weep is a direct response to the nation's spiritual brokenness and the inevitability of judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, a tumultuous period leading up to the Babylonian exile. Judah, particularly Jerusalem, was facing immense political pressure from rising empires (Egypt and Babylon). Spiritually, the nation was steeped in syncretism and idolatry, having largely abandoned the covenant with Yahweh. Despite the reforms under King Josiah, the people quickly reverted to their wicked ways after his death. The drought mentioned in this chapter was a severe natural disaster, but in the biblical worldview, such calamities were often interpreted as divine judgment for covenant infidelity, as outlined in the curses of the Mosaic Covenant (`/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"`) for disobedience. The concept of "daughter of my people" (often "virgin daughter of Zion") was a tender, familial term for Jerusalem or Judah, emphasizing their unique relationship with God, making their brokenness all the more tragic.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 14:17 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Grief and Lament**, revealing a God who is not distant or indifferent to His people's suffering, but one who deeply grieves over their spiritual condition and the self-inflicted wounds of sin. This divine sorrow is so profound that the prophet is commanded to embody it. Secondly, the verse highlights the **Consequences of Covenant Disobedience**. The "great breach" and "grievous blow" are direct results of Judah's persistent unfaithfulness and rejection of God's commands, demonstrating that sin inevitably leads to devastating national and spiritual ruin. This aligns with Jeremiah's broader message of impending judgment due to unrepentant sin (`/jeremiah/7 "Jeremiah 7 - The Temple Sermon"`). Thirdly, it speaks to the **Role of the Prophet as a Mediator of God's Heart**. Jeremiah, often known as the "weeping prophet," is not merely delivering messages but is called to personally experience and express the divine pathos, serving as a living embodiment of God's sorrow and judgment. His tears are not just personal anguish but a prophetic sign of God's broken heart over His beloved but rebellious people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **virgin (Hebrew, _bᵉthûwlâh'_):** From an unused root meaning "to separate," this term denotes a virgin, often implying purity and privacy. Figuratively, it refers to a city or state, here specifically Judah/Jerusalem. Its application to "the daughter of my people" emphasizes the nation's original covenant purity and unique, intimate relationship with God, making their current state of brokenness all the more tragic and lamentable. The loss of this "virgin" status signifies a profound spiritual defilement and betrayal of their covenant vows.
* **broken (Hebrew, _shâbar'_):** A primitive root meaning "to burst," "to break (down, off, in pieces, up)," or "to crush." This word conveys a sense of severe, irreparable damage. In this context, it signifies the utter spiritual, social, and national collapse of Judah, not merely a superficial wound but a fundamental shattering of their identity and integrity as God's people. It suggests a state of being completely undone.
* **blow (Hebrew, _makkâh'_):** From the root `nâkâh` (to strike), this noun signifies a "blow," "wound," "plague," or "slaughter." It denotes a forceful impact resulting in severe injury or destruction. Coupled with "great breach" and "very grievous," `makkâh` underscores the overwhelming and devastating nature of the judgment that has befallen Judah, emphasizing the physical and spiritual wounds inflicted by their sin and God's subsequent, just discipline.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them;"**: This opening clause establishes the divine imperative. Jeremiah is not speaking his own thoughts but delivering a direct message, a "word" (`dâbâr`) from God. The "Therefore" links this command to the preceding declarations of judgment, indicating that this lament is a consequence of Judah's unrepentance.
* **"Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease:"**: This is the core of the prophetic lament. The "mine eyes" refers to Jeremiah's eyes, but prophetically, they represent God's own sorrow. The imagery of ceaseless tears, "night and day," conveys an overwhelming and persistent grief, a profound and unending anguish over the state of His people. It is a hyperbole emphasizing the depth of sorrow.
* **"for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow."**: This clause provides the reason for the intense weeping. "The virgin daughter of my people" is a tender, affectionate, yet tragic appellation for Judah, highlighting their privileged covenant relationship with God and their subsequent fall. The nation is described as "broken" (`shâbar`), indicating a complete shattering. This brokenness is further qualified by "a great breach" (`sheber`), signifying a deep, irreparable fissure, and "a very grievous blow" (`makkâh`), emphasizing the severity and pain of the wound. The repetition and intensity of these terms underscore the catastrophic nature of Judah's spiritual and national devastation.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 14:17 is rich with **Pathos**, evoking deep emotion, primarily sorrow and grief. The command for Jeremiah's eyes to "run down with tears night and day" is a powerful example of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the extreme and unending nature of the lament, which is both personal to the prophet and representative of God's own anguish. The phrase "the virgin daughter of my people" employs **Personification**, presenting Judah as a young woman, which adds a layer of tenderness and tragedy to her "broken" state. This also functions as a **Metaphor** for the nation's defilement and loss of spiritual integrity. The terms "great breach" and "very grievous blow" are vivid **Imagery** that convey the extent of the devastation, suggesting deep wounds and irreparable damage, both physical and spiritual. The overall tone is one of **Lament**, a literary genre characterized by expressions of sorrow, mourning, and distress, often in response to suffering or disaster.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly reveals the heart of God, demonstrating that divine judgment is not a cold, detached act but is accompanied by immense sorrow over the necessity of such discipline due to humanity's rebellion. God's grief for His "virgin daughter" underscores His covenant faithfulness and His deep love, even in the face of their unfaithfulness. It challenges any notion of a stoic or unfeeling deity, portraying instead a God who is intimately invested in the well-being of His people and who laments their self-inflicted wounds. The brokenness described here is not merely physical or political but a spiritual catastrophe, a rupture in the sacred covenant relationship, which causes God Himself to weep through His prophet.

* [Psalm 119:136](/psalms/119-136 "Psalm 119:136 - Tears for Disobedience")
* [Luke 19:41](/luke/19-41 "Luke 19:41-42 - Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem")
* [Romans 9:1](/romans/9-1 "Romans 9:1-3 - Paul's Anguish for Israel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 14:17 calls us to confront the profound reality of sin's destructive power, not just on individuals but on communities and nations, and to recognize the deep grief it causes in the heart of God. It compels us to cultivate a compassionate heart that laments over spiritual brokenness and societal decay, mirroring God's own sorrow. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that true faith involves not only celebrating God's blessings but also mourning over the consequences of disobedience and actively seeking repentance and restoration. It encourages us to intercede for those who are spiritually adrift and to strive for righteousness, knowing that our choices have far-reaching implications, affecting not only ourselves but also the very heart of our Creator.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jeremiah's mandated weeping challenge your perception of God's character and His response to human sin?**
* **In what ways do you see the "virgin daughter of my people" (the church, your community, your nation) broken today, and how might you respond with God's heart of lament?**
* **What specific "breaches" or "blows" in your own life or in the world around you are a result of unrepentant sin, and how can this verse prompt you to prayer and action?**

### FAQ
**Why is Jeremiah often called the "weeping prophet"?**

Answer: Jeremiah is known as the "weeping prophet" because his book is filled with expressions of deep personal sorrow and lament over the sins of Judah and the impending judgment. This verse, [Jeremiah 14:17](/jeremiah/14-17 "Jeremiah 14:17"), is a prime example, where he is commanded by God to weep ceaselessly. His tears are not merely personal anguish but a prophetic embodiment of God's own profound grief over His rebellious people. Throughout the book, Jeremiah often expresses his distress and pain, making his prophetic ministry uniquely characterized by lament and empathy for the suffering of his nation, as seen also in `/jeremiah/9-1 "Jeremiah 9:1 - Oh that my head were waters"` and the entire book of `/lamentations/1 "Lamentations 1 - How Lonely Sits the City"`, traditionally attributed to him.

**What does "the virgin daughter of my people is broken" signify?**

Answer: The phrase "the virgin daughter of my people" is a tender and affectionate appellation for Judah, particularly Jerusalem, emphasizing their unique and intimate covenant relationship with God, likened to a pure maiden in a sacred bond. The declaration that she "is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow" signifies a profound spiritual, moral, and national devastation. It indicates that the nation has lost its purity and integrity through idolatry and disobedience, resulting in irreparable damage and impending destruction. This brokenness is not merely physical but a deep spiritual wound that affects the very identity and destiny of God's chosen people, as a result of their persistent rebellion against Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 14:17, with its portrayal of divine and prophetic lament over a broken people, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person of Jesus Christ. The tears of Jeremiah, mirroring God's grief, foreshadow the tears of Jesus who, as the Son of God, truly embodied the Father's heart. Just as Jeremiah wept over Jerusalem's impending destruction due to sin, so too did Jesus weep over Jerusalem, foreseeing its desolation because its inhabitants "did not know the time of [their] visitation" (`/luke/19-41 "Luke 19:41 - Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem"`). The "great breach" and "grievous blow" that shattered the "virgin daughter of my people" point to the devastating consequences of sin, a breach that only Christ could ultimately heal. His crucifixion was the ultimate "blow" taken on behalf of humanity, bearing the full weight of sin's consequences, yet it was through this suffering that the "breach" between God and humanity was mended (`/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - By His Wounds We Are Healed"`). The brokenness of Judah, stemming from their unfaithfulness, finds its counterpoint in the perfect faithfulness of Christ, who, though "broken" for us, offers wholeness and restoration. He is the true "Lamb of God" (`/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"`) whose sacrifice overcomes the "grievous blow" of sin, offering a new covenant where hearts of stone are replaced with hearts of flesh, capable of true repentance and reconciliation with God (`/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31 - The New Covenant"`). Through Him, the "daughter of Zion" can be truly healed and restored, no longer broken but made new in His grace.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 8:21

For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me.

Lamentations 1:15

The Lord hath trodden under foot all my mighty [men] in the midst of me: he hath called an assembly against me to crush my young men: the Lord hath trodden the virgin, the daughter of Judah, [as] in a winepress.

Lamentations 1:16

For these [things] I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water, because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me: my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed.

Lamentations 2:13

What thing shall I take to witness for thee? what thing shall I liken to thee, O daughter of Jerusalem? what shall I equal to thee, that I may comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Zion? for thy breach [is] great like the sea: who can heal thee?

Jeremiah 9:1

¶ Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!

Jeremiah 13:17

But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for [your] pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive.

Micah 6:13

Therefore also will I make [thee] sick in smiting thee, in making [thee] desolate because of thy sins.