Jeremiah 14:8

KJV

O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man [that] turneth aside to tarry for a night?

KJV (with Strong's)

O the hope {H4723} of Israel {H3478}, the saviour {H3467} thereof in time {H6256} of trouble {H6869}, why shouldest thou be as a stranger {H1616} in the land {H776}, and as a wayfaring man {H732} that turneth aside {H5186} to tarry for a night {H3885}?

Complete Jewish Bible

You, hope of Isra'el, its savior in time of trouble, why should you be like a stranger in the land, like a traveler turning aside for the night?

Berean Standard Bible

O Hope of Israel, its Savior in times of distress, why are You like a stranger in the land, like a traveler who stays but a night?

American Standard Version

O thou hope of Israel, the Saviour thereof in the time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a sojourner in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 14:8 encapsulates a profound lament from the prophet Jeremiah on behalf of a suffering Judah, grappling with a severe drought and famine. This verse articulates the agonizing tension between Israel's historical understanding of God as their ultimate hope and deliverer in times of crisis, and their present experience of His apparent distance and inaction. It voices a desperate plea for God to act according to His covenant character, questioning why He seems to be behaving like a transient visitor rather than a steadfast, indwelling presence in their land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within a series of laments and prophetic pronouncements regarding a devastating drought and famine that has gripped Judah, vividly described from [Jeremiah 14:1-10](/jeremiah/14-1-10 "Jeremiah 14:1-10 - The Drought and Jeremiah's Lament"). The preceding verses paint a stark picture of the parched land, the dying animals, and the desperate state of the people, emphasizing the severity of the crisis and its impact on all creation. Jeremiah's lament in [Jeremiah 14:7-9](/jeremiah/14-7-9 "Jeremiah 14:7-9 - Jeremiah's Prayer of Confession and Plea") functions as an intercessory prayer, where the prophet, identifying with his people, acknowledges their collective sins while simultaneously appealing to God's covenant faithfulness and His reputation among the nations. The rhetorical questions employed in this lament express the deep spiritual anguish, confusion, and sense of abandonment felt by the people in the face of perceived divine inaction.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah's prophetic ministry spanned a tumultuous period in Judah's history, roughly from the late 7th to the early 6th century BCE. This era was characterized by significant geopolitical shifts, including the decline of the mighty Assyrian Empire, the rise of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, and Judah's precarious position caught between these dominant powers. Judah frequently vacillated in its political alliances and, more critically, in its loyalty to Yahweh, often failing to heed the warnings issued through prophets like Jeremiah. The severe drought described in this chapter was not merely an ecological disaster but was understood within the covenant framework as a tangible manifestation of God's judgment for disobedience, a common curse outlined in the Mosaic Law (cf. [Deuteronomy 28:23-24](/deuteronomy/28-23-24 "Deuteronomy 28:23-24 - Curses for Disobedience")). In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a prolonged drought signified divine displeasure, leading to widespread suffering, societal collapse, and a profound crisis of faith. The imagery of a "stranger" or "wayfaring man" would have resonated deeply with an audience for whom hospitality was a sacred duty; a guest's fleeting presence sharply contrasted with the permanent, protective, and intimate presence expected of their covenant God.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 14:8 powerfully articulates several key themes pervasive throughout the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic corpus. Firstly, it underscores the profound theme of **God's covenant faithfulness versus Israel's unfaithfulness**. Despite Israel's persistent idolatry, social injustice, and covenant disobedience, Jeremiah appeals to God's intrinsic character as the "hope of Israel" and their "saviour," a foundational truth established through historical acts of deliverance, such as the Exodus and wilderness wanderings (e.g., [Exodus 15:2](/exodus/15-2 "Exodus 15:2 - The Lord is my strength and song")). Secondly, the verse highlights the **tension between theological truth and lived experience**. The people intellectually affirm God's saving power and steadfast love, yet their current suffering and the severity of the drought make His presence feel profoundly distant, leading to a deep, agonizing lament. This tension is a recurring motif in the Psalms, where the worshiper grapples with divine silence or apparent abandonment (e.g., [Psalm 22:1](/psalms/22-1 "Psalm 22:1 - My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?")). Finally, the lament implicitly introduces the theme of **divine judgment and its redemptive purpose**. While the drought is clearly a judgment for sin, the lament itself, with its plea for God to restore His active, saving presence, demonstrates that even in judgment, God desires His people to turn back to Him in repentance and renewed trust, as seen in the call to return in [Jeremiah 3:12-14](/jeremiah/3-12-14 "Jeremiah 3:12-14 - Return, faithless Israel")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **hope (Hebrew, _miqveh'_):** (H4723) This word signifies "something waited for, i.e. confidence (objective or subjective)." Intriguingly, it can also refer to a "collection of water" or a "pool." In the context of a devastating drought, this dual meaning adds a poignant layer to the lament. Israel's spiritual confidence and their desperate literal need for water converge in this appeal to God as their ultimate source of both. He is the one in whom they place their expectation and trust, the reservoir of their future well-being and sustenance.
* **saviour (Hebrew, _yâshaʻ'_):** (H3467) Derived from a primitive root meaning "to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor." This term emphasizes God's active role as a deliverer, one who brings salvation, rescue, and victory. It speaks directly to His historical acts of intervention on behalf of His people, reinforcing the paradox of His current perceived inaction. The people are appealing to His very nature as the one who consistently provides deliverance in times of distress and brings about safety.
* **stranger (Hebrew, _gêr'_):** (H1616) Properly "a guest; by implication, a foreigner; alien, sojourner." This term denotes someone who is not a native resident, someone without permanent ties or commitment to the land or its people. The lament questions why God, who is bound to Israel by an eternal covenant and has promised to dwell intimately among them, would act like a temporary visitor, detached and seemingly uncommitted to their profound plight.
* **tarry for a night (Hebrew, _lûwn'_):** (H3885) A primitive root meaning "to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense) to be obstinate (especially in words, to complain)." In this context, it highlights the transient nature of a wayfaring person's stay. The imagery emphasizes a fleeting presence, one that offers no lasting security, intervention, or abiding care. It contrasts sharply with the steadfast, abiding presence that Israel desperately needs and expects from their covenant God, who is meant to dwell with them perpetually.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble":** This opening clause serves as both a powerful theological affirmation and an earnest invocation. It directly addresses God, acknowledging His established character and historical role as the ultimate "hope"—the source of their expectation, trust, and future well-being—and their proven "saviour," the deliverer who brings rescue specifically in moments of "trouble," which denotes distress, anguish, or tightness. This sets up the profound tension of the lament that follows, as the people appeal to God's very nature in the face of His apparent absence or inaction.
* **"why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land":** This is the poignant heart of the lament, a rhetorical question expressing deep confusion, pain, and a sense of betrayal. The people perceive God acting like a "stranger"—a foreigner, a temporary resident—in His own land, the land He promised to Israel and where He established His dwelling place. This implies a perceived lack of intimate involvement, care, or commitment, a stark contrast to the covenant relationship where God promised to be ever-present and intimately involved with His people.
* **"and as a wayfaring man [that] turneth aside to tarry for a night?":** This clause further amplifies the imagery of transience, detachment, and lack of lasting commitment. A "wayfaring man" (a traveler) who "turneth aside" (deviates from his main path) merely to "tarry for a night" (lodge temporarily) has no lasting connection or responsibility to the place or its inhabitants. This vivid metaphor conveys the people's agonizing feeling that God is not fully present or engaged with their suffering, merely passing through their distress rather than abiding with them as their permanent, protective Lord.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 14:8 is profoundly rich in literary devices that amplify its emotional and theological impact, conveying the depth of Judah's anguish. The most prominent is **Lament**, a common and vital form in biblical literature where an individual or community expresses deep sorrow, suffering, and a desperate plea for divine intervention. This lament takes the form of a powerful **Rhetorical Question**, "why shouldest thou be as a stranger...?" which is not seeking information but rather expressing profound distress, confusion, and an urgent appeal for God to act consistently with His revealed character and covenant promises. The verse also employs striking **Metaphor** and **Simile**, comparing God's perceived behavior to that of a "stranger" and a "wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night." These comparisons evoke a sense of fleeting presence, detachment, and lack of commitment, sharply contrasting with God's covenant promises of steadfast dwelling and active, compassionate care. The direct address, "O the hope of Israel," is an example of **Apostrophe**, which adds to the pathos, making the appeal intensely personal and direct, as if speaking directly to the absent or silent Divine.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 14:8 encapsulates the profound tension between God's unchanging character and His people's lived experience of His apparent withdrawal, often a consequence of their sin and covenant unfaithfulness. It highlights the biblical truth that while God is inherently faithful, all-powerful, and capable of salvation, His active intervention and blessing can feel distant when His people break covenant and turn away. This lament is not a denial of God's power or identity but a desperate, faith-filled plea for Him to manifest His presence and saving power in a tangible way amidst their suffering. It underscores the critical importance of God's abiding presence as the ultimate source of life, hope, and security, and the devastating spiritual and physical impact when that presence feels withheld. The verse serves as a model for honest, faith-filled questioning in the midst of suffering, demonstrating how believers can express their deepest anguish while simultaneously acknowledging God's identity and appealing to His covenant character, even when circumstances seem to contradict it.

* [Psalm 13:1](/psalms/13-1 "Psalm 13:1 - How long, O Lord?")
* [Isaiah 59:2](/isaiah/59-2 "Isaiah 59:2 - Your iniquities have separated you from your God")
* [Hosea 5:15](/hosea/5-15 "Hosea 5:15 - I will return to My place till they acknowledge their offense")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 14:8 offers profound and enduring insights for believers navigating periods of spiritual dryness, intense suffering, or perceived divine silence. It powerfully validates the human experience of lament, affirming that it is not only permissible but also a deeply biblical and healthy response to express our honest anguish, confusion, and questions to God, even when He seems distant or unresponsive. This verse challenges us to anchor our faith deeply in God's unchanging character as our eternal "hope" and faithful "saviour," even when our present circumstances contradict our expectations or when our fervent prayers seem to go unanswered. It calls us to courageous self-examination, prompting us to consider if our own unfaithfulness, disobedience, or spiritual complacency might be contributing to a perceived distance from God, not because He moves, but because we have turned away from His path. Ultimately, this lament is an act of persistent faith, a desperate cry for God to act according to His nature and His covenant promises, trusting that He hears and will respond in His perfect timing and sovereign wisdom, bringing about His purposes even through periods of hardship.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you currently feel God's presence seems distant or His active help withheld, echoing the lament in Jeremiah 14:8?**
* **How does intentionally acknowledging God as your "hope" and "saviour" in times of profound trouble strengthen your faith, even when circumstances appear dire or contradictory?**
* **What might it mean for you to "act like a stranger" to God in your daily life, and what practical steps can you take to draw closer to His abiding, intimate presence?**
* **How can honest lament, like Jeremiah's, be understood not as a sign of doubt or weakness, but as a profound and courageous act of faith and trust in God's character?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean for God to be "as a stranger" in the land?**

Answer: The phrase "as a stranger in the land" (along with the amplifying image of "a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night") is a powerful and deeply poignant metaphor expressing the people's perception of God's behavior during their time of severe distress. It does not imply that God is literally a stranger or has truly abandoned them, but rather that His active, saving, and comforting presence feels absent or withheld. A "stranger" (Hebrew: _gêr'_) or "wayfaring man" is someone who has no permanent ties, no deep commitment, and only a temporary, fleeting presence in a place. For a people who understood God as their covenant Lord, who had promised to dwell intimately among them and be their steadfast protector (e.g., [Exodus 29:45-46](/exodus/29-45-46 "Exodus 29:45-46 - I will dwell among the children of Israel")), His perceived inaction during their severe drought felt like a profound contradiction of His character and covenant promises. It was as if He were merely passing through their land without concern for their plight, rather than abiding with them as their ever-present, faithful God. Thus, it is a cry of anguish, a desperate plea for God to re-engage and manifest His promised presence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 14:8, with its poignant lament for a seemingly distant God and its desperate cry for the "hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The very longing expressed by Judah is definitively answered in Jesus, who is indeed the [true hope of Israel](/colossians/1-27 "Colossians 1:27 - Christ in you, the hope of glory") and the [Savior of the world](/john/4-42 "John 4:42 - Jesus, the Savior of the world"). While Israel lamented God's perceived absence, the Incarnation stands as the supreme demonstration of God's ultimate commitment to dwell among His people, not as a transient visitor, but as [Emmanuel, "God with us"](/matthew/1-23 "Matthew 1:23 - Emmanuel, God with us"). In Christ, God did not merely "tarry for a night" or pass through; He took on human flesh, lived among us in full solidarity with our suffering, and offered Himself as the ultimate, perfect sacrifice for sin, thereby bridging the chasm of perceived distance caused by human unfaithfulness (cf. [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word became flesh and dwelt among us")). Furthermore, Jesus Himself experienced the ultimate divine abandonment on the cross, crying out, "[My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' cry of dereliction")", so that those who believe in Him would never truly be forsaken or left alone (cf. [Hebrews 13:5](/hebrews/13-5 "Hebrews 13:5 - I will never leave you nor forsake you")). Through His death, resurrection, and ascension, Christ secured a permanent, indwelling presence with His people through the Holy Spirit (cf. [John 14:16-18](/john/14-16-18 "John 14:16-18 - The Spirit of Truth will abide with you")), ensuring that the lament of a "stranger in the land" is forever transformed into the joyous reality of "Christ in you, the hope of glory" ([Colossians 1:27](/colossians/1-27 "Colossians 1:27 - Christ in you, the hope of glory")), a constant, abiding, and saving presence.

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 17:13

O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, [and] they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.

Jeremiah 50:7

All that found them have devoured them: and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of justice, even the LORD, the hope of their fathers.

Isaiah 43:3

For I [am] the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt [for] thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.

Psalms 50:15

And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

Joel 3:16

The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD [will be] the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.

Psalms 37:39

But the salvation of the righteous [is] of the LORD: [he is] their strength in the time of trouble.

Psalms 37:40

And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.