Jeremiah 14:6

KJV

And the wild asses did stand in the high places, they snuffed up the wind like dragons; their eyes did fail, because [there was] no grass.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the wild asses {H6501} did stand {H5975} in the high places {H8205}, they snuffed up {H7602} the wind {H7307} like dragons {H8577}; their eyes {H5869} did fail {H3615}, because there was no grass {H6212}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The wild donkeys standing on the bare heights gasp for air like jackals; their eyes grow dim from trying to spot any vegetation."

Berean Standard Bible

Wild donkeys stand on barren heights; they pant for air like jackals; their eyes fail for lack of pasture.”

American Standard Version

And the wild asses stand on the bare heights, they pant for air like jackals; their eyes fail, because there is no herbage.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 14:6 offers a profoundly poignant and graphic depiction of the devastating drought afflicting Judah, showcasing the extreme suffering endured by even the most resilient of creatures—the wild asses. These animals, typically adapted to harsh, arid environments, are portrayed in a state of utter desperation: standing on barren heights, gasping for non-existent moisture, and succumbing to the effects of starvation and dehydration. This vivid imagery serves to underscore the severity of God's judgment upon a disobedient people, demonstrating how their persistent sin has tangible and widespread repercussions, extending even to the natural world.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 14:6 is intricately woven into a significant section of Jeremiah's prophecy, specifically chapters 14-15, often identified as the "drought laments" or "famine sermon." This passage commences with a visceral description of the land's distress, as articulated in [Jeremiah 14:1](/jeremiah/14-1 "Jeremiah 14:1 - The Great Drought Begins"), and meticulously details the escalating suffering across various societal strata—from the nobility and farmers to the common populace and, ultimately, the animal kingdom. The prophet Jeremiah earnestly intercedes on behalf of the people, as seen in [Jeremiah 14:7](/jeremiah/14-7 "Jeremiah 14:7 - Jeremiah's Plea for Mercy"), yet his pleas are met with God's unwavering resolve for judgment, a consequence of Judah's persistent idolatry and flagrant rejection of His covenant. The suffering of the wild asses in verse 6 functions as a powerful climax to the description of the natural world's agony, powerfully emphasizing the pervasive and indiscriminate reach of divine judgment, leaving no part of creation untouched by its devastating effects.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The era of Jeremiah's prophetic ministry, spanning the late 7th to early 6th century BCE, was characterized by profound political instability, marked by the decline of the formidable Assyrian empire, the ascendance of Babylon, and, most critically, Judah's precipitous spiritual decline. Despite incessant warnings from prophets like Jeremiah, the people of Judah stubbornly persisted in idolatry and social injustice, thereby fracturing their sacred covenant with Yahweh. In ancient Israelite understanding, agricultural prosperity and the blessing of rainfall were inextricably linked to covenant faithfulness, a principle vividly outlined in covenant texts such as [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses of the Covenant"). Consequently, drought was not merely a natural phenomenon but a recognized and potent form of divine judgment for disobedience, a direct and severe consequence of turning away from God. The stark imagery of wild asses, renowned for their exceptional resilience in arid regions, powerfully underscores the extreme nature of this particular drought, suggesting that conditions were so dire that even these hardy creatures could not survive, serving as a stark cultural indicator of profound national crisis and divine displeasure.
* **Key Themes:** This verse profoundly contributes to several overarching theological and narrative themes prevalent within the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it powerfully exemplifies **Divine Judgment and Consequences**, illustrating with vivid clarity that God's justice is an undeniable reality and that human sin carries tangible, severe repercussions, not solely for humanity but for the entire created order. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Extreme Suffering and Despair**, utilizing the agonizing plight of the animals to convey the profound depth of the crisis and the utter helplessness faced by all life in the land. The imagery of gasping and failing eyes paints a harrowing picture of impending death from starvation and dehydration. Finally, it highlights **Nature's Groaning** or the intricate interconnectedness of creation, demonstrating how the natural world itself suffers when humanity rebels against God. The distress of the animals serves as a powerful and silent witness to the broken covenant and the desperate spiritual and physical state of the land, echoing the profound lament found in [Romans 8:22](/romans/8-22 "Romans 8:22 - Creation Groaning for Redemption").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wild asses (Hebrew, _pereʼ'_):** This term refers to the onager, a species of wild ass highly esteemed for its remarkable hardiness and inherent ability to thrive in desolate, arid regions. Their specific inclusion in this verse is profoundly significant, as it dramatically emphasizes the extreme severity of the drought. If even these exceptionally resilient creatures, inherently adapted to harsh desert conditions, are suffering to this extent, it unequivocally underscores the catastrophic nature of the famine and the widespread, indiscriminate devastation it has wrought. Their visible desperation highlights the absolute and total lack of sustenance available in the land.
* **Snuffed up (Hebrew, _shâʼaph'_):** This primitive root verb signifies "to inhale eagerly," "to pant," or "to gasp." This word vividly portrays the frantic and desperate action of the wild asses. They are not merely breathing; rather, they are frantically inhaling, attempting to extract any trace of moisture or relief from the dry, dusty, and oppressive air. This desperate action is a clear indicator of extreme thirst and impending suffocation, presenting a visceral and agonizing image of their struggle for survival in a land utterly devoid of water.
* **Did fail (Hebrew, _kâlâh'_):** This root verb carries the meaning "to end," "to cease," "to be finished," or "to perish." When applied specifically to their eyes, it signifies that their vision is dimming, their physical strength is rapidly giving out, and they are on the very precipice of death. It implies a complete exhaustion and depletion of their vital life force, representing a final, critical stage of suffering before inevitable collapse. The failing eyes are a stark physical manifestation of their internal, systemic breakdown, directly attributable to a complete and prolonged lack of nourishment and hydration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the wild asses did stand in the high places":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the desolate and desperate scene. It depicts the wild asses not in their customary foraging grounds but positioned on "high places"—likely barren hills, elevated plateaus, or exposed rocky outcrops. This specific location signifies their desperate and futile search for any elusive sign of green vegetation or water, or perhaps a vain attempt to catch a faint, cooling breeze. It also powerfully suggests their profound vulnerability and exposure, as these elevated areas are clearly not places of refuge, sustenance, or relief.
* **"they snuffed up the wind like dragons;":** This is a profoundly powerful and unsettling simile. The wild asses are portrayed as so utterly parched and desperate for moisture that they are seen gasping and panting at the empty wind, futilely hoping to draw in any latent humidity or provide some measure of relief to their parched throats. The comparison to "dragons" (Hebrew: _tannîyn_, a term often translated as jackals, serpents, or large sea monsters, frequently associated with desolate places or monstrous, fearsome forms) emphasizes the raw, guttural, and almost terrifying nature of their gasping. It conveys a sound and appearance of extreme distress, perhaps a deep, rasping inhalation, vividly reflecting their parched throats and rapidly failing bodies, transforming them into grotesque figures of suffering.
* **"their eyes did fail, because [there was] no grass.":** This concluding clause devastatingly reveals the ultimate and inevitable consequence of the prolonged drought. The "failing eyes" unequivocally indicate a complete physical breakdown, a clear and dire sign of advanced starvation and dehydration that is rapidly leading to blindness or imminent death. The direct and unambiguous cause is then explicitly stated: "because there was no grass." This highlights the total and absolute absence of food and water, the most fundamental necessities for sustaining life, thereby confirming that the wild asses' profound suffering is a direct and inescapable outcome of the utter barrenness of the land.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 14:6 is exceptionally rich in **Imagery**, painting a vivid, distressing, and unforgettable picture of the drought's pervasive and destructive impact. The initial image of the "wild asses... in the high places" immediately conveys a sense of desolation, vulnerability, and profound desperation, especially given that these animals are typically robust and resilient. The most striking and impactful device employed is the **Simile**, "they snuffed up the wind like dragons." This comparison is extraordinarily effective, evoking a sense of monstrous, desperate, and guttural gasping, thereby emphasizing the extreme suffering and the raw, horrifying sounds of animals on the very brink of death. The term "dragons" (_tannîyn_) itself carries potent **Symbolism**, often associated with desolate wildernesses, chaos, or powerful, frightening creatures, thereby amplifying the horror and grotesque nature of the scene. Furthermore, the entire verse functions as a powerful **Synecdoche**, where the acute suffering of these specific wild asses represents the widespread, pervasive, and indiscriminate suffering of all life in Judah, including its human inhabitants, directly attributable to the severe and relentless drought. This **Pathos**-laden description is masterfully crafted to elicit a strong emotional response from the reader, underscoring with devastating clarity the severity of God's righteous judgment and the dire consequences of persistent sin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 14:6 profoundly illustrates the enduring biblical principle that human sin has far-reaching and devastating consequences, extending far beyond humanity to impact the created order itself. This verse stands as a stark and sobering reminder of the covenant curses meticulously outlined in the Torah, where agricultural blight and severe drought were explicitly promised as direct results of disobedience to God's commands. The agonizing suffering of the wild asses serves as a powerful and undeniable testimony to the broken relationship between God and His people, demonstrating with chilling clarity that when humanity defiantly rejects its Creator, the very fabric of creation groans and suffers under the immense weight of that rebellion. It underscores God's absolute sovereignty over nature and His divine prerogative to utilize natural phenomena as potent instruments of judgment, meticulously designed to call His people to profound repentance and a renewed, humble understanding of their utter dependence on Him for all provision and sustenance.

* [Deuteronomy 28:23-24](/deuteronomy/28-23 "The Curse of Drought and Barrenness")
* [Hosea 4:3](/hosea/4-3 "Land Mourns, Living Things Languish")
* [Romans 8:22](/romans/8-22 "Creation Groaning in Anticipation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The desperate and harrowing scene depicted in Jeremiah 14:6 serves as a potent spiritual mirror for us today, compelling us to profound introspection. It vividly reminds us that our actions, particularly our rebellion against God and our neglect of His ways, have ripple effects that extend far beyond our immediate selves, impacting the communities we inhabit, the societies we build, and even the natural world around us. This verse calls us to profound humility and earnest self-examination, prompting us to consider what "droughts" we might be experiencing in our contemporary context—be they spiritual barrenness, relational brokenness, societal decay, or ecological distress—and to discern if these are, in fact, consequences of our collective or individual turning away from God. It challenges us to recognize our absolute and unwavering dependence on God as the ultimate source of all life and provision, just as the wild asses were utterly dependent on grass and water for their very existence. Furthermore, it compels us to cultivate a deeper sense of faithful stewardship for creation, understanding that its well-being is intricately and divinely linked to our faithfulness to the Creator. When we bear witness to suffering, whether in humanity or in the natural world, this passage urgently urges us to look beyond immediate, superficial causes to the deeper spiritual realities at play and to respond with genuine repentance, fervent intercession, and a renewed, unwavering commitment to living in alignment with God's perfect will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life or community do I observe signs of "spiritual drought" or profound barrenness?**
* **How might my own actions or the collective actions of society contribute to a "groaning" in creation or a pervasive sense of spiritual desolation?**
* **What does the extreme suffering of the wild asses in this passage reveal about the profound seriousness of sin and the nature of God's judgment?**
* **How can I actively cultivate a deeper and more consistent dependence on God as my ultimate source of life, provision, and spiritual sustenance, rather than relying on fleeting worldly comforts or self-sufficiency?**
* **What tangible steps can I take to respond to suffering, both human and environmental, with a spirit of genuine repentance, earnest intercession, and faithful, responsible stewardship?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the "wild asses" in this verse?**

Answer: The wild asses (onagers) are profoundly significant in this verse because they are renowned for their extreme hardiness and remarkable ability to survive and even thrive in very arid, desolate environments. By depicting even these exceptionally resilient creatures in such a state of utter desperation—standing on barren heights, gasping for air, with their eyes failing—the prophet Jeremiah dramatically emphasizes the unprecedented and catastrophic severity of the drought. It powerfully underscores that the famine is so pervasive and extreme that it has overwhelmed even the most robust forms of life, making the wild asses a potent and distressing symbol of the widespread and inescapable judgment affecting all of Judah.

**Why are the wild asses described as "snuffing up the wind like dragons"?**

Answer: The phrase "snuffed up the wind" vividly portrays their desperate and futile attempt to inhale any moisture or relief from the parched, dusty air, indicating extreme thirst and impending suffocation. The comparison to "dragons" (Hebrew _tannîyn_) is a powerful and unsettling simile. While _tannîyn_ can refer to large sea creatures, serpents, or jackals, in this context, it most likely evokes a monstrous, guttural, and terrifying sound or appearance. It suggests the wild asses are panting and gasping with such intensity and raw desperation that their actions resemble the fearsome, deep breathing of a mythical beast or the eerie, rasping sounds of creatures of desolation. This vivid imagery amplifies the horror and extremity of their suffering, making the scene even more impactful and unforgettable.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 14:6, with its stark and agonizing portrayal of creation groaning under the crushing weight of sin and the righteous judgment of God, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The devastating drought and the agonizing suffering of the wild asses are a tangible and visceral manifestation of the brokenness and curse introduced by human sin, revealing a world desperately longing for redemption. Christ, the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), willingly entered this cursed creation not to bring further judgment, but to bear its full, crushing weight. He is the one who experienced the ultimate "drought" on the cross, crying out in profound agony, "I thirst" ([John 19:28](/john/19-28 "John 19:28 - Jesus' Thirst on the Cross")), thereby absorbing the divine wrath that brings such desolation. Through His perfect and atoning sacrifice, Jesus provides the living water that truly satisfies the soul's deepest thirst ([John 4:10-14](/john/4-10-14 "John 4:10-14 - Jesus, the Living Water")), offering abundant spiritual nourishment where there was once only barrenness and despair. Furthermore, Christ's redemptive work initiates the new creation, promising a glorious future where creation itself will be miraculously liberated from its bondage to decay and futility ([Romans 8:21](/romans/8-21 "Romans 8:21 - Creation's Liberation from Decay")) and where there will be no more thirst, for the Lamb will lead His redeemed people to springs of living water ([Revelation 7:16-17](/revelation/7-16-17 "Revelation 7:16-17 - No More Thirst, Led by the Lamb")). Thus, the despair and desolation vividly depicted in Jeremiah 14:6 powerfully point forward to the ultimate hope and restoration found exclusively in Christ, who perfectly redeems both fallen humanity and groaning creation from the pervasive curse of sin.

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 2:24

A wild ass used to the wilderness, [that] snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure; in her occasion who can turn her away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her.

Job 39:5

Who hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass?

Job 39:6

Whose house I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwellings.

Joel 1:18

How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate.

1 Samuel 14:29

Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.

Lamentations 4:17

As for us, our eyes as yet failed for our vain help: in our watching we have watched for a nation [that] could not save [us].

Lamentations 5:17

¶ For this our heart is faint; for these [things] our eyes are dim.