Jeremiah 6:14

They have healed also the hurt [of the daughter] of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when [there is] no peace.

They have healed {H7495} also the hurt {H7667} of the daughter {H1323} of my people {H5971} slightly {H7043}, saying {H559}, Peace {H7965}, peace {H7965}; when there is no peace {H7965}.

they dress the wound of my people, but only superficially, saying, 'There is perfect shalom,' when there is no shalom.

They dress the wound of My people with very little care, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace at all.

They have healed also the hurt of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.

Commentary

Context

Jeremiah 6:14 is a powerful indictment delivered by the prophet Jeremiah during a tumultuous period in the Kingdom of Judah, roughly in the late 7th to early 6th century BC. Jeremiah's ministry was characterized by urgent warnings of impending divine judgment due to Judah's widespread idolatry, moral corruption, and social injustice. Despite these dire warnings, many of the nation's leaders, including priests and prophets, offered false assurances of peace and security, downplaying the severity of the people's sins and the imminent threat from Babylon. This verse encapsulates their superficial approach to a deeply rooted spiritual and national crisis.

Key Themes

  • False Security and Deception: The verse highlights the dangerous illusion of safety created by those who proclaimed "Peace, peace" when God's judgment was at the door. This was a direct contradiction to God's revealed truth through Jeremiah, leading the people further astray.
  • Superficial Healing: The phrase "healed... slightly" (or "superficially" in some translations) points to remedies that address symptoms without confronting the underlying disease. The spiritual and moral wounds of the people were deep, requiring genuine repentance and turning back to God, not empty words of comfort.
  • Prophetic Responsibility: It underscores the severe responsibility of spiritual leaders to speak truth, even uncomfortable truth, rather than pandering to popular sentiment or offering misleading hope. This failure contributed significantly to Judah's downfall, as seen in Jeremiah's broader prophecies about the Babylonian captivity.
  • Divine Judgment and Unheeded Warnings: The core message is that without true repentance, there can be no genuine peace, only the certainty of deserved judgment. The false assurances prevented the people from seeking true reconciliation with God.

Linguistic Insights

The repetition of "Peace, peace" emphasizes the insistent, yet hollow, nature of the pronouncements. The Hebrew word for "peace" is shalom (שָׁלוֹם), which is far more comprehensive than merely the absence of conflict. Shalom implies wholeness, well-being, prosperity, health, and security in every aspect of life. By declaring "shalom, shalom" when there was no true shalom, the false prophets were not just lying about the political situation, but fundamentally misrepresenting the people's spiritual state and their relationship with God, who is the ultimate source of true peace (compare with John 14:27).

Practical Application

Jeremiah 6:14 remains highly relevant for believers today, serving as a powerful call to discernment:

  • Discernment of Truth: We must be vigilant against those who offer easy answers or superficial solutions to deep spiritual problems. True peace comes from a right relationship with God, often involving confession and repentance, not from ignoring sin or embracing comforting lies.
  • Authentic Repentance: The verse reminds us that genuine spiritual healing requires addressing the root causes of our issues, particularly sin, rather than merely patching over symptoms. God desires a sincere heart and a complete turning (`teshuvah` in Hebrew) towards Him.
  • Value of God's Word: It emphasizes the critical importance of grounding our understanding of peace and well-being in God's immutable Word, not in popular opinions or soothing rhetoric. We are called to test all teachings against scripture (2 Timothy 3:16).
  • Role of Leaders: It serves as a sober warning to spiritual leaders to speak the full counsel of God, even when it is unpopular, prioritizing truth over comfort or popularity.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 13:10 (13 votes)

    ¶ Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and [there was] no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered [morter]:

  • Jeremiah 23:17 (10 votes)

    They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.

  • Jeremiah 4:10 (7 votes)

    Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! surely thou hast greatly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall have peace; whereas the sword reacheth unto the soul.

  • Lamentations 2:14 (6 votes)

    Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity; but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment.

  • Jeremiah 14:13 (5 votes)

    Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place.

  • 2 Peter 2:18 (4 votes)

    For when they speak great swelling [words] of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, [through much] wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

  • 2 Peter 2:19 (4 votes)

    While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.