Jeremiah 14:18

KJV

If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not.

KJV (with Strong's)

If I go forth {H3318} into the field {H7704}, then behold the slain {H2491} with the sword {H2719}! and if I enter {H935} into the city {H5892}, then behold them that are sick {H8463} with famine {H7458}! yea, both the prophet {H5030} and the priest {H3548} go about {H5503} into a land {H776} that they know {H3045} not.

Complete Jewish Bible

If I go out in the field, I see those slain with the sword. If I enter the city, I see the victims of famine. Meanwhile, prophets and cohanim ply their trade in the land, knowing nothing.'"

Berean Standard Bible

If I go out to the country, I see those slain by the sword; if I enter the city, I see those ravaged by famine! For both prophet and priest travel to a land they do not know.’”

American Standard Version

If I go forth into the field, then, behold, the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then, behold, they that are sick with famine! for both the prophet and the priest go about in the land, and have no knowledge.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 14:18 offers a poignant and devastating prophetic vision of Judah's impending judgment, as witnessed and lamented by Jeremiah. It graphically portrays a nation utterly consumed by divine discipline, where the countryside is littered with those slain by the sword, and the cities are ravaged by the slow, agonizing death of famine. This comprehensive devastation culminates in the forced exile and profound disorientation of even the nation's spiritual leaders—the prophets and priests—underscoring the inescapable consequences of persistent national sin and covenant unfaithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 14:18 is the climactic verse of a profound lament (Jeremiah 14:1-18) that begins with a vivid description of a severe drought and famine afflicting Judah. The chapter unfolds with the people's desperate cries to God ([Jeremiah 14:2-6](/jeremiah/14-2-6 "Jeremiah 14:2-6 - Judah's Distress During Drought")), followed by their confession of sin ([Jeremiah 14:7-9](/jeremiah/14-7-9 "Jeremiah 14:7-9 - Confession and Plea")). However, God responds with a firm declaration of judgment, explicitly stating His refusal to hear their prayers due to their deep-seated idolatry and reliance on false prophets ([Jeremiah 14:10-12](/jeremiah/14-10-12 "Jeremiah 14:10-12 - God's Rejection of Judah's Prayers")). Jeremiah then intercedes, questioning the Lord about the false prophets' assurances of peace ([Jeremiah 14:13](/jeremiah/14-13 "Jeremiah 14:13 - Jeremiah's Intercession")), to which God sternly condemns these deceivers and promises that both the false prophets and those who believed them will perish by sword and famine ([Jeremiah 14:14-16](/jeremiah/14-14-16 "Jeremiah 14:14-16 - Condemnation of False Prophets")). Jeremiah 14:17-18 then shifts to the prophet's personal sorrow and lament, where he weeps over the inevitable and comprehensive destruction, summarizing the national catastrophe that will encompass war, famine, and the exile of all, including the spiritual leadership. Thus, verse 18 serves as a chilling and comprehensive summary of the judgment's reach.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting for Jeremiah's prophetic ministry is the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, a period of immense geopolitical upheaval for the Kingdom of Judah. During this time, Judah found itself precariously positioned between the waning power of the Assyrian Empire, the ascendant might of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, and a resurgent Egypt. Judah's kings, often swayed by political expediency rather than divine counsel, vacillated between alliances and rebellion, consistently failing to place their trust solely in Yahweh. The specific calamities described in Jeremiah 14:18—death by sword and famine—are direct allusions to the Babylonian invasions and subsequent sieges of Jerusalem, particularly those culminating in 597 BCE and 586 BCE (as detailed in [2 Kings 24](/2_kings/24 "2 Kings 24 - Jehoiachin's Reign and First Deportation") and [2 Kings 25](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem")). These sieges led to horrific conditions within the city, with widespread starvation and disease, while the surrounding countryside was ravaged by military campaigns. The phrase "land that they know not" explicitly refers to the forced deportation of Judahites to Babylon, a common imperial strategy to dismantle national identity and prevent rebellion by uprooting conquered populations. The inclusion of prophets and priests among the exiled underscores the total disruption of Judah's religious, social, and political order, a direct and severe consequence of their collective and persistent unfaithfulness to the Mosaic Covenant.

* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 14:18 powerfully contributes to several foundational themes prevalent throughout the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic corpus. Firstly, it emphatically highlights the theme of **Divine Judgment for Covenant Unfaithfulness**. The widespread suffering depicted is not arbitrary but a direct and inevitable consequence of Judah's persistent idolatry, social injustice, and rejection of God's revealed word, precisely as warned in the covenant curses of [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15-68 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience"). Secondly, the verse underscores the theme of **Comprehensive Desolation and Inescapable Consequences**, illustrating that the impending catastrophe will spare no one, regardless of their location (field or city) or their social and spiritual status (common citizen, prophet, or priest). This pervasive destruction emphasizes the totality of God's discipline. Thirdly, the verse brings into sharp focus the **Failure of Spiritual Leadership**. The fact that "both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not" is a profound indictment. It reveals the spiritual bankruptcy of a nation whose appointed guides either actively misled them with false prophecies of peace (as condemned in [Jeremiah 14:14](/jeremiah/14-14 "Jeremiah 14:14 - False Prophecies Condemned")) or failed to effectively intercede and call the people to genuine repentance. This leadership vacuum and spiritual corruption significantly contributed to the nation's downfall and the severity of the divine discipline.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **slain (Hebrew, _châlâl'_):** From H2491, meaning "pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted." This term vividly describes those who have met a violent end, typically in battle or through execution by the "sword" (H2719, _chereb_). It carries a strong connotation of desecration, emphasizing the horror and indignity of death in the open field, often without proper burial. The use of this word underscores the brutal and immediate impact of warfare as a tool of divine judgment.
* **famine (Hebrew, _râʻâb'_):** From H7458, meaning "hunger (more or less extensive); dearth." This word denotes a severe lack of food, leading to widespread starvation, weakness, and disease. In the context of a besieged city, famine was a devastating and prolonged weapon, slowly debilitating the population. The phrase "sick with famine" (H8463, _tachălûwʼ_, "malady") further emphasizes the debilitating illness and eventual death that results from prolonged hunger, presenting a different, yet equally horrific, form of suffering compared to the sword.
* **know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** From H3045, a primitive root meaning "to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition)." In the phrase "a land that they know not," this word conveys profound disorientation, a loss of identity, and the terror of being in an alien, unfamiliar place without the security of home, land, or community. It speaks to the existential displacement of exile, where one's entire frame of reference and sense of belonging are shattered.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword!":** This opening clause presents a chilling vision of the devastation in the rural areas and open countryside. Jeremiah, in his prophetic lament, imagines himself surveying the land and immediately encountering the gruesome sight of those who have been violently killed by military action—whether in direct battle, by marauding bands, or during widespread massacres. This emphasizes the pervasive violence and the immediate, brutal consequences of war that spare no one, even outside the fortified cities.
* **"and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine!":** The focus here shifts to the urban centers, particularly Jerusalem, which would endure prolonged and brutal sieges. In contrast to the swift death by sword in the field, the primary cause of death within the city is the slow, agonizing process of starvation and debilitating disease brought on by the lack of food and sanitation during a siege. The prophet envisions the inhabitants suffering from profound sicknesses caused by extreme hunger, highlighting a different, yet equally horrific, manifestation of God's judgment.
* **"yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not.":** This final clause underscores the comprehensive and inescapable nature of the judgment, extending even to the spiritual leaders of the nation. It signifies the complete breakdown of Judah's societal and religious order. The "prophet" (God's messenger, encompassing both true and false prophets) and the "priest" (responsible for Temple service, sacrifices, and instruction in the Law) are depicted as being swept away into exile, disoriented and displaced in a foreign land. This highlights the severity of the judgment and the profound failure of leadership that contributed to the nation's downfall, as even those entrusted with guiding the people spiritually are now themselves lost and disoriented.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 14:18 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of widespread desolation and despair. **Parallelism** is a prominent feature, particularly in the two contrasting yet complementary scenarios presented: "If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword!" and "if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine!" This antithetical parallelism emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the judgment, demonstrating that no place, whether rural or urban, is immune. **Vivid Imagery** is utilized to paint a grim and visceral picture, with phrases like "slain with the sword" and "sick with famine" evoking immediate and powerful responses of horror and pity from the reader. The concluding phrase, "go about into a land that they know not," is a poignant example of **Pathos**, appealing directly to the reader's emotions by highlighting the profound disorientation, loss of identity, and terror experienced by the exiled leaders. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony** in this final statement, as those who were meant to guide the people in the knowledge of God and His ways are themselves led into a foreign land where they "know not," underscoring their spiritual failure and the ultimate futility of their false assurances.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 14:18 powerfully articulates the theological principle that God's covenant warnings are not empty threats but carry real and devastating consequences for persistent disobedience. It unequivocally demonstrates that divine judgment, though painful and severe, is an act of God's justice, holiness, and faithfulness to His own character and covenant promises. The comprehensive nature of the suffering—affecting all places and all people, including the spiritual leadership—underscores the depth of Judah's apostasy and the inescapable reach of God's discipline. This judgment serves as a stark reminder that true spiritual security and well-being lie not in religious rituals, national identity, or positions of authority, but in genuine repentance, humble submission, and faithful adherence to God's revealed word. The scene foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment of the covenant curses pronounced in the Pentateuch.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15-68 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Leviticus 26:23-39](/leviticus/26-23-39 "Leviticus 26:23-39 - Consequences of Disobedience")
* [Lamentations 2:20-21](/lamentations/2-20-21 "Lamentations 2:20-21 - Jerusalem's Suffering")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 14:18 serves as a profound and sobering reminder that persistent actions, particularly those of rebellion against divine truth, have grave consequences, not only for individuals but for entire communities and nations. It challenges us to deeply consider the gravity of spiritual rebellion and the pervasive impact of unfaithfulness. The suffering depicted, affecting both the common people and those in spiritual authority, underscores the principle that accountability extends to all, and that those entrusted with spiritual leadership bear an even greater responsibility to faithfully proclaim God's word, embody His truth, and lead by righteous example. This verse compels us to a rigorous self-examination: Are we truly heeding God's warnings in our own lives and communities? Are we pursuing genuine repentance when confronted with our sin, or are we complacent in our disobedience, perhaps relying on false assurances or empty rituals? It calls us to actively pray for and support faithful spiritual leadership, and to be vigilant against any form of spiritual compromise or deception that could lead to collective downfall. Ultimately, Jeremiah 14:18 points to the absolute necessity of a humble and wholehearted return to the Lord as the only true path to healing, restoration, and enduring security, recognizing that God's justice is always intertwined with His gracious call to repentance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does the comprehensive nature of the judgment (affecting field and city, prophet and priest) in this verse teach us about the pervasive and inescapable consequences of sin?**
* **How does the failure of the prophet and priest in this passage challenge contemporary spiritual leaders and congregations regarding their responsibility to faithfully declare God's truth?**
* **In what ways might we, individually or as a community, be "going about into a land that [we] know not" due to spiritual disorientation, disobedience, or reliance on false narratives?**
* **How can understanding God's justice, as powerfully depicted here, deepen our appreciation for His mercy and the pathway to repentance He graciously provides?**

### FAQ
**Why is God's judgment depicted as so severe in this passage?**

Answer: The severity of God's judgment in [Jeremiah 14:18](/jeremiah/14-18 "Jeremiah 14:18 - Comprehensive Judgment") reflects the profound and persistent unfaithfulness of Judah to its covenant with Yahweh. For generations, the people had embraced idolatry, social injustice, and rejected the warnings of true prophets, relying instead on the deceptive assurances of peace from false prophets (as highlighted in [Jeremiah 14:14](/jeremiah/14-14 "Jeremiah 14:14 - False Prophets Condemned")). As a righteous and holy sovereign, God cannot simply overlook such rebellion. The Mosaic Law, particularly the covenant curses outlined in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses") and [Leviticus 26](/leviticus/26 "Leviticus 26 - Blessings and Curses"), explicitly warned of famine, sword, and exile as consequences for disobedience. Thus, the judgment is not arbitrary cruelty but a just and necessary act of divine discipline, intended to bring His people to repentance, uphold His holiness, and demonstrate His covenant faithfulness. It underscores that God takes sin seriously and that His warnings are not idle threats.

**What does it mean that "both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not"?**

Answer: This phrase signifies the complete breakdown of Judah's social, political, and, most critically, its religious order, coupled with the profound disorientation of exile. The prophet was God's direct messenger, conveying divine revelation and warnings, while the priest served as an intermediary in worship, offering sacrifices, and providing instruction in the Law. Their forced deportation to a foreign land, specifically Babylon, meant the loss of their sacred duties, their connection to the Temple in Jerusalem, and their very identity within Israelite society. It highlights the severity of the judgment—that even those entrusted with spiritual leadership were not exempt from the consequences of national sin. Furthermore, it subtly underscores the failure of many of these leaders, particularly the false prophets, who had misled the people and contributed to their spiritual decline, ultimately sharing in the fate they had helped bring upon the nation. Their exile to a "land they know not" symbolizes not only their physical displacement but also their spiritual blindness and the loss of their spiritual bearings, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of God's judgment on a faithless nation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 14:18, with its stark portrayal of comprehensive judgment, widespread suffering by sword and famine, and the ultimate failure and disorientation of Old Covenant leadership, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament. The devastating consequences of humanity's sin and rebellion against God, so graphically depicted here, point directly to the reality that Jesus Christ came to address. While Judah's prophets and priests often failed to lead their people away from judgment and were themselves swept into exile, Jesus Christ stands as the true and faithful Prophet who perfectly declared God's will and revealed the Father ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God")). He is the perfect High Priest who offered Himself as the ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice for sin, making atonement where the Old Covenant sacrifices could not ([Hebrews 7:27](/hebrews/7-27 "Hebrews 7:27 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). The "land they know not" for the exiled leaders foreshadows the spiritual lostness and alienation of humanity apart from Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, leading us directly to the Father and into a secure, eternal inheritance ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way")). Through His atoning death on the cross, Jesus bore the full weight of God's righteous judgment against sin, taking upon Himself the "sword" of divine wrath and the "famine" of spiritual separation, so that all who believe in Him might escape eternal condemnation and enter into a new "land" of spiritual abundance, a heavenly country that is truly known and eternally secure in Him ([Hebrews 11:16](/hebrews/11-16 "Hebrews 11:16 - A Better Homeland")).

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

Ezekiel 7:15

The sword [is] without, and the pestilence and the famine within: he that [is] in the field shall die with the sword; and he that [is] in the city, famine and pestilence shall devour him.

Lamentations 1:20

Behold, O LORD; for I [am] in distress: my bowels are troubled; mine heart is turned within me; for I have grievously rebelled: abroad the sword bereaveth, at home [there is] as death.

Jeremiah 8:10

Therefore will I give their wives unto others, [and] their fields to them that shall inherit [them]: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.

Deuteronomy 28:36

The LORD shall bring thee, and thy king which thou shalt set over thee, unto a nation which neither thou nor thy fathers have known; and there shalt thou serve other gods, wood and stone.

Jeremiah 6:13

For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one [is] given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.

Jeremiah 5:31

The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love [to have it] so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

Jeremiah 52:6

And in the fourth month, in the ninth [day] of the month, the famine was sore in the city, so that there was no bread for the people of the land.