Jeremiah 14:2

Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish; they are black unto the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up.

Judah {H3063} mourneth {H56}, and the gates {H8179} thereof languish {H535}; they are black {H6937} unto the ground {H776}; and the cry {H6682} of Jerusalem {H3389} is gone up {H5927}.

"Y'hudah is mourning, her gates are languishing; they sit on the ground in gloom; Yerushalayim sends up a cry of anguish.

“Judah mourns and her gates languish. Her people wail for the land, and a cry goes up from Jerusalem.

Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish, they sit in black upon the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up.

Jeremiah 14:2 paints a poignant picture of national distress and despair in the ancient kingdom of Judah. This verse, part of a larger lament concerning a severe drought, highlights the profound suffering experienced by the people as a direct consequence of their spiritual rebellion against God.

Context of Jeremiah 14:2

The prophet Jeremiah served during a tumultuous period leading up to the Babylonian exile. Chapter 14 specifically describes a devastating drought, which in the Old Testament was often interpreted as a sign of divine judgment for national sin. The imagery used in this verse conveys the widespread impact of this calamity on all aspects of life in Judah and its capital, Jerusalem. The prophet Jeremiah vividly portrays the dire consequences of national disobedience, serving as a stark warning to the people.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Widespread Despair: The phrase "Judah mourneth" immediately establishes a tone of deep national grief. This isn't localized sorrow but a pervasive lament affecting the entire kingdom.
  • Societal Collapse: "The gates thereof languish" is highly symbolic. City gates were vital centers for commerce, justice, public assembly, and social life. Their "languishing" signifies a complete breakdown of societal order and public despair, echoing similar laments found in Lamentations 1:4. It indicates that normal life has ceased, and the very fabric of society is weakened.
  • Profound Suffering: "They are black unto the ground" is a vivid image conveying extreme desolation and physical suffering. This could refer to the parched, cracked earth, or the people themselves, darkened and shriveled by famine and drought, bowing in deep mourning. It speaks to the intensity of their affliction.
  • Desperate Plea: "And the cry of Jerusalem is gone up" emphasizes the collective anguish and desperate plea of the people. This is not a quiet sorrow but a loud, desperate wail rising from the capital city, indicating widespread and acute distress. This cry often reached God in times of distress, highlighting their desperate need for divine intervention.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "mourneth" is 'aval (אָבַל), meaning to mourn, lament, or be in grief, often accompanied by outward signs of sorrow. "Languish" comes from 'umlal (אֻמְלַל), signifying to wither, fade, or be feeble, perfectly capturing the decaying state of the city's vital points. The phrase "black unto the ground" uses the verb qadar (קָדַר), which means to be dark, to mourn, or to be gloomy, powerfully conveying the deep sorrow and desolation experienced by the people.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 14:2 serves as a timeless reminder of the consequences of spiritual rebellion and the reality of suffering in a world disconnected from God. It highlights:

  • The interconnectedness of sin and its societal consequences.
  • The importance of national and individual repentance when facing hardship, as this drought was a direct result of Judah's widespread idolatry.
  • That even in the midst of judgment, God hears the cries of His people, prompting a call for them to turn back to Him.

This verse encourages reflection on how societal woes might point to deeper spiritual issues and the ongoing need for humility and a return to God's ways.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 3:26

    And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she [being] desolate shall sit upon the ground.

  • Jeremiah 8:21

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

  • 1 Samuel 5:12

    And the men that died not were smitten with the emerods: and the cry of the city went up to heaven.

  • Zechariah 7:13

    Therefore it is come to pass, [that] as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:

  • Lamentations 4:8

    Their visage is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the streets: their skin cleaveth to their bones; it is withered, it is become like a stick.

  • Lamentations 4:9

    [They that be] slain with the sword are better than [they that be] slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for [want of] the fruits of the field.

  • Jeremiah 11:11

    ¶ Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them.

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