Jeremiah 18:14

KJV

Will [a man] leave the snow of Lebanon [which cometh] from the rock of the field? [or] shall the cold flowing waters that come from another place be forsaken?

KJV (with Strong's)

Will a man leave {H5800} the snow {H7950} of Lebanon {H3844} which cometh from the rock {H6697} of the field {H7704}? or shall the cold {H7119} flowing {H5140} waters {H4325} that come from another place {H2114} be forsaken {H5428}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Does the snow of the L'vanon disappear from the mountain crags? Do the cold waters of foreign lands ever run dry?

Berean Standard Bible

Does the snow of Lebanon ever leave its rocky slopes? Or do its cool waters flowing from a distance ever run dry?

American Standard Version

Shall the snow of Lebanon fail from the rock of the field? or shall the cold waters that flow down from afar be dried up?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 18:14 presents a profound rhetorical question, designed to expose the utter irrationality and unnaturalness of Judah's spiritual apostasy. Through vivid imagery of essential and reliable natural resources—the snow-fed waters of Lebanon and cold, flowing springs—the prophet Jeremiah underscores the incomprehensible folly of a people who have abandoned their life-giving God, the true and unwavering source of sustenance and blessing, for empty and unreliable alternatives.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a broader prophetic discourse (Jeremiah 18:1-17) that immediately follows God's illustrative lesson at the potter's house. In [Jeremiah 18:1-12](/jeremiah/18-1-12 "Jeremiah 18:1-12 - The Potter and the Clay"), God demonstrates His sovereign right to reshape nations, just as a potter reshapes clay, based on their repentance or continued rebellion. Despite this powerful visual parable and a direct call to repentance, Judah stubbornly refuses to change their ways, declaring, "We will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart" ([Jeremiah 18:12](/jeremiah/18-12 "Jeremiah 18:12 - Judah's Stubborn Refusal")). Jeremiah 18:13-17 then serves as God's lament and accusation against His people for their unprecedented and unnatural forsaking of Him, with verse 14 employing natural imagery to highlight the absurdity of their spiritual infidelity. The imagery of reliable water sources here contrasts sharply with Judah's decision to pursue foreign gods and practices, which are ultimately unreliable and destructive, a theme echoed earlier in [Jeremiah 2:13](/jeremiah/2-13 "Jeremiah 2:13 - Broken Cisterns").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Judah, situated in a semi-arid region, understood the critical importance of reliable water sources. The mountains of Lebanon, to the north, were renowned for their high peaks perpetually capped with snow, which melted to feed the region's rivers and springs, providing a consistent and pure water supply. This natural phenomenon was a well-known symbol of purity, constancy, and life-giving provision in the ancient Near East. "Cold flowing waters" from springs were highly prized in the hot climate, representing refreshment and vitality. The act of "forsaking" such vital resources would be considered suicidal folly. Spiritually, Judah had entered into a covenant relationship with Yahweh, who had consistently provided for them, delivered them, and established them in the land. Their turning to foreign deities and pagan practices was not merely a theological error but a profound betrayal of this covenant, akin to abandoning life-sustaining water for barren desert.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme is the **unnatural apostasy** of Judah. The rhetorical question highlights the sheer absurdity of their spiritual infidelity; just as no sane person would abandon a reliable source of fresh, cold water in a desert climate, it is incomprehensible that God's people would forsake Him, the true source of life and blessing, for worthless idols and practices. This underscores the depth of their rebellion and spiritual blindness, which is presented as an act against nature itself. Another key theme is **God's unfailing reliability**. The "snow of Lebanon" and "cold flowing waters" represent natural, constant, and life-sustaining provisions. By analogy, God is presented as the utterly reliable and life-giving source for His people, in stark contrast to the emptiness of idolatry and the futility of their chosen paths, which are likened to "broken cisterns that can hold no water" in [Jeremiah 2:13](/jeremiah/2-13 "Jeremiah 2:13 - Forsaking the Fountain of Living Waters"). Finally, the verse implicitly condemns the profound **spiritual folly** inherent in choosing what is fleeting and false over what is eternal and true, demonstrating a severe lack of wisdom in Judah's national choices.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **leave (Hebrew, _ʻâzab'_):** This primitive root means to loosen, relinquish, permit, etc.; commit self, fail, forsake, fortify, help, leave (destitute, off), refuse, [idiom] surely. In this context, it denotes the act of abandoning or neglecting something vital. The rhetorical question implies that no rational person would willingly "leave" or abandon such a crucial and beneficial resource as the snow-fed waters of Lebanon. Its use here underscores the unnaturalness of Judah's spiritual abandonment of God.
* **snow (Hebrew, _sheleg'_):** From שָׁלַג; snow (probably from its whiteness); snow(-y). In the context of Lebanon, it points to the perpetually snow-capped peaks that served as a consistent and pure source of water for the region's rivers and springs. This imagery evokes purity, constancy, and life-sustaining provision, making the idea of abandoning it all the more preposterous.
* **forsaken (Hebrew, _nâthash'_):** A primitive root; to tear away; destroy, forsake, pluck (out, up, by the roots), pull up, root out (up), [idiom] utterly. It carries a stronger connotation than "leave," implying a deliberate and destructive act of abandonment. When applied to the "cold flowing waters," it emphasizes the utter perversity and self-destructive nature of Judah's choice to "tear away" from their divine source of life, highlighting the severity of their apostasy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Will [a man] leave the snow of Lebanon [which cometh] from the rock of the field?":** This rhetorical question establishes the first part of the analogy. It posits an absurd scenario: would anyone abandon the pure, constant, and life-giving water derived from the melting snows of Lebanon's high mountains, which flow from the rocky terrain? The implied answer is a resounding "No," as such an act would be utterly irrational and self-destructive in an arid land where water is life. This imagery represents God's consistent and reliable provision for His people.
* **"[or] shall the cold flowing waters that come from another place be forsaken?":** The second part of the rhetorical question reinforces the first, broadening the imagery to include any naturally cold, flowing spring waters. The phrase "from another place" (Hebrew, _zûwr_) can imply waters that are perhaps distant or from a foreign source, yet still reliable and refreshing. The use of "forsaken" (Hebrew, _nâthash_) emphasizes a deliberate and complete abandonment. Again, the implied answer is "No," highlighting the sheer illogicality of turning away from such vital sustenance. This part of the question further underscores the unnaturalness of Judah's choice to abandon their God, the true source of refreshment, for foreign, unreliable idols.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 18:14 is rich in literary devices that amplify its prophetic message. The primary device is a **Rhetorical Question**, which expects a self-evident "No" as an answer, thereby highlighting the utter illogicality and unnaturalness of Judah's actions. This question serves to condemn their spiritual apostasy by comparing it to an act of physical suicide. **Imagery** is powerfully employed through the vivid descriptions of "the snow of Lebanon" and "cold flowing waters." These images evoke purity, constancy, refreshment, and life—qualities inherently associated with reliable water sources in an arid climate. By juxtaposing these indispensable natural elements with the idea of "leaving" or "forsaking" them, Jeremiah utilizes **Analogy** to draw a direct parallel between the physical necessity of water and the spiritual necessity of God. The absurdity of abandoning the former underscores the even greater absurdity and perversity of abandoning the latter. This also functions as a form of **A fortiori Argument**, implying that if it is unthinkable to abandon natural, life-sustaining water, how much more unthinkable is it to abandon the living God, the ultimate source of life.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 18:14 powerfully articulates the theological truth that God is the ultimate, unfailing source of life, sustenance, and blessing for His people, and that turning away from Him is an act of profound spiritual irrationality. The imagery of reliable water sources underscores God's steadfast character and His covenant faithfulness, even when His people are unfaithful. Judah's apostasy is depicted not merely as disobedience but as a suicidal act of forsaking their very lifeblood, choosing spiritual drought over divine abundance. This highlights the deep spiritual blindness that results from rebellion, where the people prioritize their own "devices" and "evil heart" over the wisdom and provision of the Creator.

* [Jeremiah 2:13](/jeremiah/2-13 "Jeremiah 2:13 - Forsaking the Fountain of Living Waters")
* [Psalm 36:9](/psalms/36-9 "Psalm 36:9 - God as the Fountain of Life")
* [Proverbs 14:14](/proverbs/14-14 "Proverbs 14:14 - The Backslider's Ways")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 18:14 serves as a timeless mirror, inviting us to critically examine the "sources" from which we seek satisfaction, security, and identity in our own lives. The rhetorical question challenges us: are we, like ancient Judah, turning away from the reliable, life-giving "fountain of living waters" (God Himself) to pursue fleeting, broken cisterns of worldly approval, material possessions, fleeting pleasures, or self-sufficiency? The verse exposes the profound illogicality of forsaking the One who is truly constant, pure, and life-giving. When we chase after things that cannot truly satisfy, we act against our own spiritual well-being, choosing spiritual thirst over abundant spiritual water. This passage calls us to a radical re-evaluation of our priorities, urging us to reaffirm our dependence on God as our constant and true source of spiritual nourishment, wisdom, and life. It is a powerful reminder that in Him alone can we find lasting peace, satisfaction, and purpose, and that any deviation from Him is a path toward spiritual desolation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "broken cisterns" in my life that I sometimes turn to instead of God, the "fountain of living waters"?**
* **In what ways do my choices reflect a spiritual illogicality, prioritizing temporary satisfaction over eternal truth?**
* **How can I more consistently and intentionally draw from God as my true source of life, wisdom, and refreshment?**
* **What practical steps can I take to deepen my dependence on God and resist the temptation to "forsake" Him for worldly pursuits?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of "the snow of Lebanon" in this verse?**

Answer: The "snow of Lebanon" refers to the high mountains of Lebanon, which were perpetually snow-capped. The melting snow served as a consistent and pure source of water for rivers and springs in the region, making it a well-known symbol of purity, constancy, and life-giving provision in the ancient Near East. In [Jeremiah 18:14](/jeremiah/18-14 "Jeremiah 18:14 - The Snow of Lebanon"), it represents a reliable and essential natural resource, making the idea of abandoning it utterly absurd. This imagery highlights the profound irrationality of Judah's decision to abandon God, who is the ultimate and unfailing source of life and blessing.

**How does this verse relate to God's character?**

Answer: This verse implicitly highlights God's character as utterly reliable, constant, and the ultimate source of life and provision. Just as the snow-fed waters of Lebanon and cold flowing springs are dependable and life-sustaining, so too is God presented as the unwavering source of spiritual nourishment for His people. The rhetorical question underscores that to forsake such a God is not only disobedient but also profoundly illogical and self-destructive, emphasizing His essential nature as the one true and faithful provider, in stark contrast to the emptiness of idolatry. This theme is also evident in [Psalm 36:9](/psalms/36-9 "Psalm 36:9 - God as the Fountain of Life"), which states, "For with thee is the fountain of life."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 18:14, with its lament over Judah's forsaking of the life-giving source, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. The "snow of Lebanon" and "cold flowing waters" symbolize the pure, constant, and life-sustaining provision that God offers. While Israel rejected this divine wellspring, Jesus Himself declares, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink" ([John 7:37](/john/7-37 "John 7:37 - Jesus' Invitation to Drink")). He is the true "fountain of living waters" that Judah abandoned, as prophesied in [Jeremiah 2:13](/jeremiah/2-13 "Jeremiah 2:13 - Broken Cisterns"). Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well in [John 4](/john/4 "John 4 - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman") powerfully illustrates this, as He offers "living water" that, once drunk, will become "a well of water springing up into everlasting life" ([John 4:10](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - Jesus Offers Living Water") and [John 4:14](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - Everlasting Life")). Humanity's natural inclination is to forsake the true source for broken cisterns, but Christ, through His atoning sacrifice and the gift of the Holy Spirit, restores access to this life-giving flow. He is the Lamb of God who leads His flock to "springs of living water" ([Revelation 7:17](/revelation/7-17 "Revelation 7:17 - The Lamb Leads to Living Waters")), offering spiritual sustenance that truly satisfies and never runs dry, perfectly fulfilling the longing for the pure, unforsakable source that Jeremiah's rhetorical question implies.

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

John 6:68

Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.