Jeremiah 14:5

KJV

Yea, the hind also calved in the field, and forsook [it], because there was no grass.

KJV (with Strong's)

Yea, the hind {H365} also calved {H3205} in the field {H7704}, and forsook {H5800} it, because there was no grass {H1877}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The doe in the countryside, giving birth, abandons her young for lack of grass.

Berean Standard Bible

Even the doe in the field deserts her newborn fawn because there is no grass.

American Standard Version

Yea, the hind also in the field calveth, and forsaketh her young, because there is no grass.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 14:5 powerfully depicts the devastating impact of a severe drought and famine upon the land of Judah, illustrating extreme desperation through the unnatural behavior of a hind. In this poignant image, a female deer, typically fiercely protective of its young, abandons its newborn calf in the parched field, driven by the absolute absence of grass and sustenance. This verse serves as a stark testament to the profound suffering inflicted by divine judgment, highlighting how the consequences of human unfaithfulness can disrupt even the most fundamental natural instincts and bring the entire creation to the brink of collapse.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 14:5 is deeply embedded within a significant lament (Jeremiah 14:1-15:9) that vividly details a catastrophic drought afflicting Judah. This section opens with a declaration of the "great drought" in [Jeremiah 14:1](/jeremiah/14-1 "Jeremiah 14:1 - The Great Drought"), immediately setting the somber stage for a series of harrowing descriptions of suffering across all strata of society and creation. The prophet Jeremiah acts as an intercessor, pleading with God on behalf of the people, even as God emphatically declares His judgment. The suffering of the animals, as depicted in this verse and further emphasized in [Jeremiah 14:6](/jeremiah/14-6 "Jeremiah 14:6 - Wild Donkeys Gasping for Air"), underscores the pervasive and indiscriminate nature of the calamity, emphasizing that the entire ecosystem is groaning under the weight of divine displeasure. This lament is a direct response to Judah's persistent idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness, a pervasive theme that runs throughout the entire [Book of Jeremiah](/jeremiah/1 "The Book of Jeremiah").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Jeremiah's prophecy is the tumultuous late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, a period marked by profound political instability and spiritual decline for the Kingdom of Judah, ultimately leading to the Babylonian exile. Droughts were a common and devastating threat in the ancient Near East, directly impacting agricultural societies that relied heavily on consistent rainfall. However, in the prophetic tradition, severe natural disasters like famine and drought were often interpreted not merely as random occurrences but as direct divine judgments for covenant disobedience, as explicitly outlined in the curses of the Mosaic Covenant (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28:23-24](/deuteronomy/28-23 "Deuteronomy 28:23-24 - Curses of Drought for Disobedience")). The image of a hind abandoning its calf would have been particularly shocking and horrifying to an ancient audience, as maternal instincts, especially among wild animals, were understood to be incredibly strong and sacred. This unnatural act underscores the unparalleled severity of the famine, demonstrating that basic survival instincts had overridden even the most fundamental biological bonds.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the prophetic literature of Jeremiah and beyond. Firstly, it highlights **Extreme Desperation**, vividly portraying how the dire lack of water and vegetation pushed even wild animals to unnatural acts of self-preservation, serving as a stark and heartbreaking image of the dire conditions in Judah. Secondly, it emphasizes the **Impact on Creation**, illustrating that the consequences of human sin extend far beyond humanity itself, affecting the entire natural world and demonstrating the profound interconnectedness of all life with God's sustaining provision. The suffering of the animals, therefore, serves as a tangible and undeniable sign of the broken covenant. Thirdly, and implicitly, it reinforces the theme of **Consequences of Disobedience**. While not explicitly stating the cause in this single verse, the broader context of [Jeremiah 14](/jeremiah/14 "Jeremiah 14 - The Great Drought and Lament") and the overarching prophetic message consistently link such calamities to the nation's spiritual rebellion and idolatry, serving as a powerful and visceral illustration of the severe repercussions of unfaithfulness to God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **hind (Hebrew, _ʼayeleth'_):** From H365, this term specifically refers to a female deer or doe. In ancient Near Eastern literature and culture, hinds were often depicted as graceful, swift, and, crucially, as possessing exceptionally strong maternal instincts, fiercely protective of their young. The deliberate choice of the hind in this verse intensifies the pathos of the scene, as its abandonment of its calf signifies a level of desperation so profound that it overrides even the most fundamental natural affections and biological drives.
* **forsook (Hebrew, _ʻâzab'_):** From H5800, this primitive root means "to loosen," "relinquish," or "leave destitute." The use of this verb powerfully conveys the shocking and tragic act of abandonment. It implies a complete and desperate severance of the maternal bond, not out of malice or neglect, but out of an overwhelming inability to provide or sustain life. This word encapsulates the tragic reality of survival overriding natural affection in the face of absolute and pervasive scarcity.
* **grass (Hebrew, _desheʼ'_):** From H1877, this word refers to a sprout, or by analogy, tender grass or green herb. Its declared absence signifies the complete desolation and barrenness of the land. Grass is the foundational element of the food chain for many creatures, including hinds. The chilling declaration "because there was no grass" provides the immediate, tangible, and utterly devastating reason for the hind's desperate action, emphasizing the utter lack of sustenance and the pervasive, life-threatening reach of the drought.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Yea, the hind also calved in the field,"**: This initial clause sets the scene, presenting a seemingly natural and life-affirming event—a hind giving birth in its natural habitat, the open field. However, the immediate context of widespread drought and famine signals that this is not a scene of life and flourishing, but one set against a backdrop of desolation. The "field" (Hebrew, _sâdeh'_ H7704), which should be a place of abundant sustenance, is now barren and unforgiving.
* **"and forsook [it],"**: This is the shocking and deeply unnatural act that forms the emotional core of the verse. The hind, an animal renowned for its strong maternal bond and protective instincts, abandons its newborn. The implied "it" refers directly to the helpless calf, making the abandonment a direct, active, and agonizing choice driven by extreme circumstances. This act powerfully conveys the depth of the crisis and the breakdown of natural order.
* **"because there was no grass."**: This final clause provides the chilling and unambiguous explanation for the hind's desperate action. The absolute absence of "grass" (Hebrew, _desheʼ'_ H1877), the basic sustenance for herbivores like the hind, reveals the utter devastation caused by the drought. It underscores the pervasive nature of the famine, leaving no hope for survival for either the mother or the calf, thus forcing an unthinkable and heartbreaking choice.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 14:5 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message of desolation and despair. **Imagery** is central, painting a vivid and visceral picture of a hind giving birth in a parched, barren field and then, against all natural instinct, abandoning its helpless calf due to the complete lack of sustenance. This visual evokes a strong emotional response, highlighting the unnaturalness and horror of the situation. The verse also utilizes **Pathos**, appealing directly and powerfully to the reader's emotions by presenting the suffering of an innocent animal and the heartbreaking breakdown of a fundamental maternal bond. This elicits profound sympathy and underscores the unprecedented severity of the divine judgment. Furthermore, the entire scene functions as potent **Symbolism**. The hind's abandonment of its calf due to lack of sustenance symbolizes the complete collapse of natural order and the extreme desperation brought about by the drought, which itself symbolizes God's severe judgment upon Judah's unfaithfulness. The stark phrase "no grass" is a powerful **Metonymy** for the complete desolation and famine, where the absence of a basic food source represents the entirety of the catastrophic, life-destroying conditions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 14:5, while a poignant picture of natural suffering, carries profound theological weight. It serves as a stark reminder that creation itself groans under the weight of human sin and divine judgment. The drought and famine are not random occurrences but are presented as direct consequences of Judah's persistent idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. This illustrates God's sovereignty over nature and His willingness to use natural calamities as a means of discipline and a severe call to repentance. The breaking of the natural maternal bond in the animal kingdom underscores the profound disruption caused by spiritual rebellion, demonstrating that sin has far-reaching implications that affect the entire created order. It highlights the interconnectedness of all life and our fundamental dependence on God's sustaining provision, emphasizing that when humanity breaks faith with the Creator, the very fabric of creation suffers.

* [Deuteronomy 28:23-24](/deuteronomy/28-23 "Drought as a Covenant Curse for Disobedience")
* [Hosea 4:3](/hosea/4-3 "Creation Mourns for Human Sin")
* [Romans 8:22](/romans/8-22 "Creation Groaning in Bondage")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 14:5 is a powerful and unsettling image that compels us to reflect on the profound consequences of spiritual unfaithfulness and our deep, inherent dependence on God's provision. The hind's desperate act of abandoning its young due to a complete lack of sustenance serves as a stark reminder that extreme hardship can break down even the most fundamental natural order and expose the fragility of life without divine sustenance. For us today, this verse challenges our assumptions about security and self-sufficiency, urging us to consider how our actions, both individually and corporately, impact the world around us and our relationship with the Creator. It calls us to a deeper awareness of our stewardship over creation and the ripple effects of our spiritual choices. Ultimately, it is a profound call to humility, sincere repentance, and a renewed, unwavering reliance on God as the ultimate source of all life and provision, acknowledging that true flourishing—for humanity and for all creation—is found only in faithful obedience and dependence upon Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does the image of the hind abandoning its calf reveal about the severity of the drought and the depth of the suffering described in Jeremiah?**
* **How does this verse challenge our understanding of the interconnectedness between human spiritual choices and the state of the natural world?**
* **In what ways might we, in our own lives or societies, be contributing to a "famine" (whether spiritual, emotional, or physical) by forsaking our foundational dependence on God?**

### FAQ

**Why does God allow innocent animals to suffer for human sin?**

Answer: This question touches on the complex issue of suffering in a fallen world and the corporate nature of judgment in the Old Testament. While animals are innocent of human sin, the biblical worldview consistently presents creation as intrinsically linked to humanity's spiritual state. When humanity, given dominion over creation and tasked with its stewardship, falls into sin, the entire created order is affected. [Genesis 3:17-18](/genesis/3-17 "The Curse on the Ground") shows the very ground being cursed because of Adam's sin. Similarly, in Jeremiah, the drought is presented as a direct consequence of Judah's covenant unfaithfulness. The suffering of animals, therefore, serves as a powerful, tangible sign of the severity of God's judgment and the pervasive, destructive nature of sin, demonstrating that the consequences of rebellion extend far beyond the human realm to impact the entire ecosystem. It underscores the profound interconnectedness of all life and the gravity of humanity's role as stewards.

**What is the significance of the "hind" specifically, rather than another animal?**

Answer: The choice of the "hind" (female deer) is highly significant due to its cultural associations and natural characteristics. Hinds were known for their grace, agility, and, most importantly, their exceptionally strong maternal instincts and fierce protectiveness over their young. Depicting a hind abandoning its newborn calf is a particularly shocking, unnatural, and emotionally distressing image. It highlights the extreme desperation caused by the famine, suggesting that conditions are so dire that even the strongest natural bonds and instincts are overridden by the desperate struggle for survival. This amplifies the pathos and underscores the unprecedented severity of the judgment, making the suffering even more poignant and memorable than if a less maternally protective animal had been chosen.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 14:5, with its stark depiction of a creation groaning under judgment and the breaking of natural bonds due to the absence of life-sustaining provision, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. The famine described by Jeremiah is a direct consequence of sin, serving as a powerful symbol of humanity's spiritual barrenness and profound separation from God, the true and only source of life. Christ, however, comes as the ultimate **Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!** [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bearing the full weight of divine judgment on the cross. His suffering and death represent the ultimate "abandonment" by God [Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction") for our sake, so that we, His people, might never be truly forsaken. He is the **Bread of Life** [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life") and the **Living Water** [John 4:10](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - Jesus, the Living Water"), providing the spiritual sustenance that was utterly lacking in Jeremiah's day. Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ not only reconciles humanity to God but also initiates the redemption of all creation, which now "waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God" [Romans 8:19](/romans/8-19 "Romans 8:19 - Creation's Eager Expectation"). The brokenness and desperation of Jeremiah's world vividly point to our deep need for the One who restores, provides, and ultimately brings new life and flourishing to all who believe.

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

Psalms 29:9

The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of [his] glory.

Job 39:1

¶ Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? [or] canst thou mark when the hinds do calve?

Job 39:4

Their young ones are in good liking, they grow up with corn; they go forth, and return not unto them.

Isaiah 15:6

¶ For the waters of Nimrim shall be desolate: for the hay is withered away, the grass faileth, there is no green thing.