Jeremiah 30:14

All thy lovers have forgotten thee; they seek thee not; for I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one, for the multitude of thine iniquity; [because] thy sins were increased.

All thy lovers {H157} have forgotten {H7911} thee; they seek {H1875} thee not; for I have wounded {H5221} thee with the wound {H4347} of an enemy {H341}, with the chastisement {H4148} of a cruel one {H394}, for the multitude {H7230} of thine iniquity {H5771}; because thy sins {H2403} were increased {H6105}.

All your friends have forgotten you, they no longer seek you out. I have struck you down as an enemy would, punished as a cruel man would, because of your great wickedness, because of your many sins.

All your lovers have forgotten you; they no longer seek you, for I have struck you as an enemy would, with the discipline of someone cruel, because of your great iniquity and your numerous sins.

All thy lovers have forgotten thee; they seek thee not: for I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one, for the greatness of thine iniquity, because thy sins were increased.

Jeremiah 30:14 is a poignant verse from the prophet Jeremiah, illustrating God's severe judgment upon His people, Judah, due to their persistent unfaithfulness and escalating sins. It speaks to the painful consequences of abandoning divine covenant for worldly alliances.

Context

This verse is part of the "Book of Comfort" (Jeremiah 30-33), which, despite its overarching theme of restoration, begins by reiterating the reasons for God's anger and the impending exile. Prophet Jeremiah prophesied during a tumultuous period before the Babylonian exile, warning Judah of impending destruction due to their idolatry and disobedience. Here, God addresses Judah (often personified as a woman) who had sought "lovers" (alliances with foreign nations like Egypt or Assyria) instead of trusting in Him. These nations, once sought for protection, have now abandoned Judah in their time of need, leaving them vulnerable to God's disciplinary hand. The immediate context of chapter 30 is the promise of future restoration, but this verse grounds that hope in the reality of their present judgment.

Key Themes

  • Divine Chastisement: God Himself is the one inflicting the "wound of an enemy" and "chastisement of a cruel one," signifying that the suffering of Judah is not random misfortune but a direct, painful consequence of their actions and a demonstration of God's justice. This divine discipline is for their correction, not ultimate destruction.
  • Consequences of Sin: The verse explicitly states that the severity of the wound is "for the multitude of thine iniquity; because thy sins were increased." It highlights the direct link between widespread, escalating sin and severe judgment.
  • Unreliable Alliances: The "lovers" represent the foreign nations Judah trusted in for security. Their abandonment underscores the futility and danger of relying on human strength or political maneuvering instead of God's sovereign protection.
  • God's Sovereignty in Judgment: Even in their suffering, it is God, not merely external forces, who is orchestrating the pain. This emphasizes His control over history and His unwavering commitment to His covenant, even when it involves painful correction.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "wound of an enemy" (Hebrew: makkath oyev) emphasizes the severity and pain, likening God's discipline to the blow of an adversary. It highlights the depth of their suffering. The term "chastisement" (Hebrew: musar) often carries the connotation of discipline, instruction, or correction, suggesting that even in this harsh judgment, there is a pedagogical purpose from God.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 30:14 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today about the seriousness of sin and the consequences of spiritual unfaithfulness. It warns against seeking security or solutions outside of God, whether through worldly systems, human power, or questionable alliances. True security is found in Him alone. It teaches that God's discipline, though painful, is always purposeful. Like a loving parent, He chastens those He loves (Hebrews 12:6) to bring about repentance and spiritual growth. This verse encourages self-examination and confession. When facing difficulties, it prompts us to consider if there are unconfessed sins or misplaced trusts that need to be addressed, leading to a deeper reliance on God's grace and mercy, which is also abundant in the Book of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 30:17).

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.

  • Job 30:21

    Thou art become cruel to me: with thy strong hand thou opposest thyself against me.

  • Lamentations 1:2

    She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears [are] on her cheeks: among all her lovers she hath none to comfort [her]: all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies.

  • Jeremiah 5:6

    Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, [and] a wolf of the evenings shall spoil them, a leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many, [and] their backslidings are increased.

  • Jeremiah 22:20

    ¶ Go up to Lebanon, and cry; and lift up thy voice in Bashan, and cry from the passages: for all thy lovers are destroyed.

  • Jeremiah 2:36

    Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way? thou also shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast ashamed of Assyria.

  • Jeremiah 4:30

    And [when] thou [art] spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; [thy] lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life.

  • Jeremiah 30:15

    Why criest thou for thine affliction? thy sorrow [is] incurable for the multitude of thine iniquity: [because] thy sins were increased, I have done these things unto thee.

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