Behold the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people because of them that dwell in a far country: [Is] not the LORD in Zion? [is] not her king in her? Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven images, [and] with strange vanities?
Behold the voice {H6963} of the cry {H7775} of the daughter {H1323} of my people {H5971} because of them that dwell in a far {H4801} country {H776}: Is not the LORD {H3068} in Zion {H6726}? is not her king {H4428} in her? Why have they provoked me to anger {H3707} with their graven images {H6456}, and with strange {H5236} vanities {H1892}?
Listen to my people's cry of distress out of a distant land: "Is ADONAI no longer in Tziyon? Is her king no longer there?" "Why do they provoke me with their idols and their futile foreign gods?"
Listen to the cry of the daughter of my people from a land far away: “Is the LORD no longer in Zion? Is her King no longer there?” “Why have they provoked Me to anger with their carved images, with their worthless foreign idols?”
Behold, the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people from a land that is very far off: is not Jehovah in Zion? is not her King in her? Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven images, and with foreign vanities?
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Isaiah 39:3
Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country unto me, [even] from Babylon. -
Isaiah 13:5
They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, [even] the LORD, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land. -
Joel 2:32
And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call. -
Isaiah 52:1
¶ Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean. -
Psalms 135:21
Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD. -
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 4:31
For I have heard a voice as of a woman in travail, [and] the anguish as of her that bringeth forth her first child, the voice of the daughter of Zion, [that] bewaileth herself, [that] spreadeth her hands, [saying], Woe [is] me now! for my soul is wearied because of murderers.
Jeremiah 8:19 captures the prophet Jeremiah's deep anguish over the impending judgment on Judah and God's righteous indignation at their persistent idolatry. It presents a poignant dialogue between the suffering people and their grieving God, revealing the spiritual decay that led to their downfall.
Historical and Cultural Context
The prophet Jeremiah, often called the "weeping prophet," ministered during a tumultuous period leading up to the Babylonian exile. The "daughter of my people" refers to the nation of Judah, facing imminent invasion and displacement by a powerful foreign empire ("them that dwell in a far country"). Despite centuries of covenant relationship with God and the presence of His Temple in Zion (Jerusalem), the people had repeatedly turned away from Him. Their cry, though born of distress, is met with God's question, exposing their profound spiritual blindness and misplaced trust.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "daughter of my people" (Hebrew: בַּת־עַמִּי, bat-'ammi) is a tender, poetic expression used by Jeremiah to convey his deep, personal identification with and sorrow for his fellow Israelites. The term "strange vanities" (Hebrew: הַבְלֵי נֵכָר, havlei nekhar) is particularly insightful. Havlei (vanities) comes from the root for "breath" or "vapor," emphasizing the utter emptiness, futility, and worthlessness of idols, contrasting sharply with the living God. Nekhar (strange) highlights their foreign origin, showing how Judah had adopted practices from surrounding pagan nations, defiling their unique covenant relationship with the Lord.
Practical Application
Jeremiah 8:19 serves as a timeless warning against spiritual complacency and superficial faith. It challenges us to examine where our true trust lies. Are we relying on outward religious forms, traditions, or even past blessings, while neglecting genuine obedience and devotion to God? The "graven images" and "strange vanities" of today may not be physical idols, but anything that takes God's rightful place in our hearts – wealth, status, pleasure, or self-reliance. This verse reminds us that true security comes only from a faithful relationship with the Lord, and that disregarding His commands inevitably leads to spiritual and often tangible consequences. It calls us to humble ourselves and turn back to God with all our hearts, recognizing His supreme authority and enduring love.