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Home › Berean Standard Bible  › Lamentations 2  › Lamentations 2:14

Lamentations 2:14

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Lamentations 2:14 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

The visions of your prophets were empty and deceptive; they did not expose your guilt to ward off your captivity. The burdens they envisioned for you were empty and misleading.

King James Version KJV

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.

American Standard Version ASV

Thy prophets have seen for thee false and foolish visions; And they have not uncovered thine iniquity, to bring back thy captivity, But have seen for thee false oracles and causes of banishment.

Bible in Basic English BBE

The visions which your prophets have seen for you are false and foolish; they have not made clear to you your sin so that your fate might be changed: but they have seen for you false words, driving you away.

Free Bible Version FBV

The visions of your prophets were false and worthless; they didn't point out your guilt to prevent you being taken into captivity. Instead they presented to you visions that were false and deceptive.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Thy Prophets haue looked out vayne, and foolish things for thee, and they haue not discouered thine iniquitie, to turne away thy captiuitie, but haue looked out for thee false prophesies, and causes of banishment.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

Thy prophets have seen for thee a false and insipid thing, And have not revealed concerning thine iniquity, To turn back thy captivity, And they see for thee false burdens and causes of expulsion.

World English Bible WEB

Your prophets have seen false and foolish visions for you. They have not uncovered your iniquity, to reverse your captivity, but have seen for you false revelations and causes of banishment.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Nun. Thy prophets have seen false and foolish things for thee: and they have not laid open thy iniquity, to excite thee to penance: but they have seen for thee false revelations and banishments.

Translation for Translators T4T

The prophets among you claimed that they had seen visions from Yahweh, but what they said was false and worthless. They did not save you from being ◄exiled/forced to go to other countries►, because they did not proclaim that you had sinned. Instead, the messages that they gave you deceived you because they were not true.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Lamentations 2:14

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Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Lamentations 2:14 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB נְבִיאַ֗יִ/ךְ חָ֤זוּ לָ/ךְ֙ שָׁ֣וְא וְ/תָפֵ֔ל וְ/לֹֽא גִלּ֥וּ עַל עֲוֺנֵ֖/ךְ לְ/הָשִׁ֣יב שבית/ך שְׁבוּתֵ֑/ךְ וַ/יֶּ֣חֱזוּ לָ֔/ךְ מַשְׂא֥וֹת שָׁ֖וְא וּ/מַדּוּחִֽים
נְבִיאַ֗יִ/ךְ nâbîyʼ H5030 prophet N-mp | Suff
חָ֤זוּ châzâh H2372 to see V-Qal-Perf-3cp
לָ/ךְ֙ Prep | Suff
שָׁ֣וְא shâvᵉʼ H7723 vanity N-ms
וְ/תָפֵ֔ל tâphêl H8602 insipid Conj | Adj
וְ/לֹֽא lôʼ H3808 not Conj | Part
גִלּ֥וּ gâlâh H1540 to reveal V-Piel-Perf-3cp
עַל ʻal H5921 upon Prep
עֲוֺנֵ֖/ךְ ʻâvôn H5771 iniquity N-cs | Suff
לְ/הָשִׁ֣יב shûwb H7725 to return Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a
שבית/ך shᵉbûwth H7622 captivity N-fs | Suff
שְׁבוּתֵ֑/ךְ shᵉbûwth H7622 captivity N-fs | Suff
וַ/יֶּ֣חֱזוּ châzâh H2372 to see Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
לָ֔/ךְ Prep | Suff
מַשְׂא֥וֹת masʼêth H4864 tribute N-fp
שָׁ֖וְא shâvᵉʼ H7723 vanity N-ms
וּ/מַדּוּחִֽים maddûwach H4065 enticement Conj | N-mp
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Lamentations 2:14

נְבִיאַ֗יִ/ךְ nâbîyʼ H5030 "prophet" N-mp | Suff
A prophet is someone who speaks for God, like a spokesperson. This word is used in the Bible to describe true and false prophets, like those in 1 and 2 Kings.
Definition: 1) spokesman, speaker, prophet 1a) prophet 1b) false prophet 1c) heathen prophet Aramaic equivalent: ne.vi (נְבִיא "prophet" H5029)
Usage: Occurs in 288 OT verses. KJV: prophecy, that prophesy, prophet. See also: Genesis 20:7; 2 Kings 24:2; Psalms 51:2.
חָ֤זוּ châzâh H2372 "to see" V-Qal-Perf-3cp
Chazah means to see or perceive, and can also mean to have a vision or prophesy. It is used to describe seeing something with your eyes or in your mind.
Definition: 1) to see, perceive, look, behold, prophesy, provide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to see, behold 1a2) to see as a seer in the ecstatic state 1a3) to see, perceive 1a3a) with the intelligence 1a3b) to see (by experience) 1a3c) to provide Aramaic equivalent: cha.zah (חֲזָה "to see" H2370)
Usage: Occurs in 47 OT verses. KJV: behold, look, prophesy, provide, see. See also: Exodus 18:21; Proverbs 24:32; Psalms 11:4.
לָ/ךְ֙ "" Prep | Suff
שָׁ֣וְא shâvᵉʼ H7723 "vanity" N-ms
Vanity or falsehood, this word describes something empty, useless, or deceitful, like the idols worshipped by the Israelites in Isaiah 41:29, or the lies and false promises spoken by false prophets in Jeremiah 23:25.
Definition: : false 1) emptiness, vanity, falsehood 1a) emptiness, nothingness, vanity 1b) emptiness of speech, lying 1c) worthlessness (of conduct) Also means: shav (שָׁוְא ": vain" H7723H)
Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: false(-ly), lie, lying, vain, vanity. See also: Exodus 20:7; Isaiah 1:13; Psalms 12:3.
וְ/תָפֵ֔ל tâphêl H8602 "insipid" Conj | Adj
This word means to whitewash or plaster something, often used to describe covering up flaws. It can also mean frivolous or foolish things.
Definition: adj 1) foolish, insipid 2) (BDB) tasteless, unseasoned
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: foolish things, unsavoury, untempered. See also: Job 6:6; Ezekiel 13:11; Ezekiel 22:28.
וְ/לֹֽא lôʼ H3808 "not" Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
גִלּ֥וּ gâlâh H1540 "to reveal" V-Piel-Perf-3cp
This Hebrew word means to reveal or uncover something, often in a way that's embarrassing or shameful. It can also mean to exile someone, forcing them to leave their home. In some cases, it's used to describe God revealing himself to people.
Definition: : reveal[information] 1) to uncover, remove 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to uncover 1a2) to remove, depart 1a3) to go into exile 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) (reflexive) 1b1a) to uncover oneself 1b1b) to discover or show oneself 1b1c) to reveal himself (of God) 1b2) (passive) 1b2a) to be uncovered 1b2b) to be disclosed, be discovered 1b2c) to be revealed 1b3) to be removed 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to uncover (nakedness) 1c1a) nakedness 1c1b) general 1c2) to disclose, discover, lay bare 1c3) to make known, show, reveal 1d) (Pual) to be uncovered 1e) (Hiphil) to carry away into exile, take into exile 1f) (Hophal) to be taken into exile 1g) (Hithpael) 1g1) to be uncovered 1g2) to reveal oneself
Usage: Occurs in 167 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] advertise, appear, bewray, bring, (carry, lead, go) captive (into captivity), depart, disclose, discover, exile, be gone, open, [idiom] plainly, publish, remove, reveal, [idiom] shamelessly, shew, [idiom] surely, tell, uncover. See also: Genesis 9:21; Job 38:17; Psalms 18:16.
עַל ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
עֲוֺנֵ֖/ךְ ʻâvôn H5771 "iniquity" N-cs | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means moral evil or sin, like the kind God sees in people's hearts. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Psalms. This concept is key to understanding human nature.
Definition: : crime 1) perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity 1a) iniquity 1b) guilt of iniquity, guilt (as great), guilt (of condition) 1c) consequence of or punishment for iniquity
Usage: Occurs in 215 OT verses. KJV: fault, iniquity, mischeif, punishment (of iniquity), sin. See also: Genesis 4:13; Psalms 107:17; Psalms 18:24.
לְ/הָשִׁ֣יב shûwb H7725 "to return" Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back
Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.
שבית/ך shᵉbûwth H7622 "captivity" N-fs | Suff
This word refers to captivity or being held prisoner. It appears in 2 Kings 25:11 and Jeremiah 52:15, describing the Babylonian exile. The KJV translates it as 'captive' or 'captivity'.
Definition: 1) captivity, captives 2) defeat, reversed fortunes
Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: captive(-ity). See also: Deuteronomy 30:3; Jeremiah 33:26; Psalms 14:7.
שְׁבוּתֵ֑/ךְ shᵉbûwth H7622 "captivity" N-fs | Suff
This word refers to captivity or being held prisoner. It appears in 2 Kings 25:11 and Jeremiah 52:15, describing the Babylonian exile. The KJV translates it as 'captive' or 'captivity'.
Definition: 1) captivity, captives 2) defeat, reversed fortunes
Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: captive(-ity). See also: Deuteronomy 30:3; Jeremiah 33:26; Psalms 14:7.
וַ/יֶּ֣חֱזוּ châzâh H2372 "to see" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
Chazah means to see or perceive, and can also mean to have a vision or prophesy. It is used to describe seeing something with your eyes or in your mind.
Definition: 1) to see, perceive, look, behold, prophesy, provide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to see, behold 1a2) to see as a seer in the ecstatic state 1a3) to see, perceive 1a3a) with the intelligence 1a3b) to see (by experience) 1a3c) to provide Aramaic equivalent: cha.zah (חֲזָה "to see" H2370)
Usage: Occurs in 47 OT verses. KJV: behold, look, prophesy, provide, see. See also: Exodus 18:21; Proverbs 24:32; Psalms 11:4.
לָ֔/ךְ "" Prep | Suff
מַשְׂא֥וֹת masʼêth H4864 "tribute" N-fp
This word signifies a tribute or offering, often given as a gift or contribution. In the Bible, it can also mean a burden or utterance. The KJV translates it as burden, collection, or gift.
Definition: 1) uprising, utterance, burden, portion, uplifting 1a) that which rises, uprising, uplifting, signal, rising 1b) utterance, oracle 1c) burden 1d) portion, present, largesse, gift, contribution, offering, tribute
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: burden, collection, sign of fire, (great) flame, gift, lifting up, mess, oblation, reward. See also: Genesis 43:34; Psalms 141:2; Jeremiah 6:1.
שָׁ֖וְא shâvᵉʼ H7723 "vanity" N-ms
Vanity or falsehood, this word describes something empty, useless, or deceitful, like the idols worshipped by the Israelites in Isaiah 41:29, or the lies and false promises spoken by false prophets in Jeremiah 23:25.
Definition: : false 1) emptiness, vanity, falsehood 1a) emptiness, nothingness, vanity 1b) emptiness of speech, lying 1c) worthlessness (of conduct) Also means: shav (שָׁוְא ": vain" H7723H)
Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: false(-ly), lie, lying, vain, vanity. See also: Exodus 20:7; Isaiah 1:13; Psalms 12:3.
וּ/מַדּוּחִֽים maddûwach H4065 "enticement" Conj | N-mp
This Hebrew word means enticement or seduction, often leading to trouble or banishment, as seen in various KJV translations. It refers to something that draws people away from what is right. In the Bible, it appears in contexts of warning against temptation.
Definition: seduction, enticement, a thing to draw aside
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: cause of banishment. See also: Lamentations 2:14.

Study Notes — Lamentations 2:14

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Ezekiel 22:28 Her prophets whitewash these deeds by false visions and lying divinations, saying, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’ when the LORD has not spoken.
2 Isaiah 58:1 “Cry aloud, do not hold back! Raise your voice like a ram’s horn. Declare to My people their transgression and to the house of Jacob their sins.
3 Jeremiah 5:31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority. My people love it so, but what will you do in the end?
4 Ezekiel 22:25 The conspiracy of the princes in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing its prey. They devour the people, seize the treasures and precious things, and multiply the widows within her.
5 Micah 3:5–7 This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths: Therefore night will come over you without visions, and darkness without divination. The sun will set on these prophets, and the daylight will turn black over them. Then the seers will be ashamed and the diviners will be disgraced. They will all cover their mouths because there is no answer from God.”
6 Jeremiah 8:10–11 Therefore I will give their wives to other men and their fields to new owners. For from the least of them to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; from prophet to priest, all practice deceit. They dress the wound of the daughter of My people with very little care, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace at all.
7 Jeremiah 2:8 The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the LORD?’ The experts in the law no longer knew Me, and the leaders rebelled against Me. The prophets prophesied by Baal and followed useless idols.
8 Micah 2:11 If a man of wind were to come and say falsely, “I will preach to you of wine and strong drink,” he would be just the preacher for this people!
9 Jeremiah 23:11–17 “For both prophet and priest are ungodly; even in My house I have found their wickedness,” declares the LORD. “Therefore their path will become slick; they will be driven away into the darkness and fall into it. For I will bring disaster upon them in the year of their punishment,” declares the LORD. “Among the prophets of Samaria I saw an offensive thing: They prophesied by Baal and led My people Israel astray. And among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: They commit adultery and walk in lies. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns his back on wickedness. They are all like Sodom to Me; the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah.” Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts says concerning the prophets: “I will feed them wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink, for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land.” This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are filling you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD. They keep saying to those who despise Me, ‘The LORD says that you will have peace,’ and to everyone who walks in the stubbornness of his own heart, ‘No harm will come to you.’
10 Jeremiah 23:31–34 “Yes,” declares the LORD, “I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and proclaim, ‘The LORD declares it.’” “Indeed,” declares the LORD, “I am against those who prophesy false dreams and retell them to lead My people astray with their reckless lies. It was not I who sent them or commanded them, and they are of no benefit at all to these people,” declares the LORD. “Now when this people or a prophet or priest asks you, ‘What is the burden of the LORD?’ you are to say to them, ‘What burden? I will forsake you, declares the LORD.’ As for the prophet or priest or anyone who claims, ‘This is the burden of the LORD,’ I will punish that man and his household.

Lamentations 2:14 Summary

[This verse is saying that the prophets in Jerusalem were not telling the people the truth about their sin, and instead were giving them false messages, as stated in Lamentations 2:14. This is similar to what happened in Jeremiah 6:14, where the prophets were saying 'peace, peace' when there was no peace. The people needed to hear the truth about their sin so they could turn back to God, as seen in 1 John 1:9, where it says that if we confess our sins, God will forgive us and purify us. Instead, the prophets were leading them further away from God, and this ultimately led to the people's captivity.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean that the visions of the prophets were empty and deceptive?

This means that the prophets in Jerusalem were giving false messages, not warning the people of their sin and the consequences of it, as seen in Lamentations 2:14, and instead were leading them further away from God, much like the false prophets in Deuteronomy 18:20-22.

How did the prophets fail to expose the guilt of the people?

The prophets failed to preach the truth about the people's sin, and instead gave them false hope, as stated in Lamentations 2:14, which is similar to the way the prophets acted in Ezekiel 13:10, where they did not repair the wall or warn the people of their sin.

What were the burdens that the prophets envisioned for the people?

The burdens envisioned by the prophets were empty and misleading, according to Lamentations 2:14, which means they were not from God, but rather the result of the prophets' own imagination, as seen in Jeremiah 23:16, where the Lord warns against listening to the prophets who speak from their own hearts.

Why is it important for prophets to speak the truth and expose sin?

It is crucial for prophets to speak the truth and expose sin, as seen in Lamentations 2:14, because it allows the people to repent and turn back to God, as stated in 2 Chronicles 7:14, where the Lord says that if His people will humble themselves and turn from their wicked ways, He will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways that I may be listening to 'empty and deceptive' visions or messages in my own life, and how can I discern the truth?
  2. In what ways can I, like the prophets, fail to expose sin and instead give false hope to those around me?
  3. How can I ensure that I am speaking the truth and warning others of their sin, while still showing them love and compassion?
  4. What are some 'burdens' that I may be envisioning for myself or others that are 'empty and misleading', and how can I replace them with a biblical perspective?

Gill's Exposition on Lamentations 2:14

Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee,.... Not the prophets of the Lord; but false prophets, as the Targum; which were of the people's choosing, and were acceptable to them;

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Lamentations 2:14

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.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Lamentations 2:14

Not the Lord’ s prophets in thee, but those prophets to whom you chose rather to hearken, and whom you believed rather than me and others sent by God to reveal his will unto you, came and told you idle and vain stories, that those who were carried into captivity should after two years return, &c. And by telling you such smooth and pleasant things, tickled your humours instead of discovering your sins, which were bringing these judgments upon you; whereas they ought to have dealt freely and faithfully with you, and have made you sensible of your sins, and this might have prevented your miserable captivity. But they rather spent their breath in telling you false stories to encourage you in your sinful courses, and so proved to you the causes of your banishment; or else they told you false stories, which they pretended to be the causes of the captivity of your brethren, in the mean time concealing the true causes, and suffering you to run on in the same errors, till you came to be more miserable than those that went into captivity before you.

Trapp's Commentary on Lamentations 2:14

Lamentations 2:14 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.Ver. 14. Thy prophets.] Thine, and not mine; for thou art miserable by thine own election, accessary to thine own ruin. Have seen vain and foolish things for thee.] Visions of vanity, sapless and savourless stuff; the fruit, or rather froth, of their own fancies. And they have not discovered thine iniquity.] Conviction maketh way for conversion, and so preventeth utter subversion. But have seen for thee false burdens,] viz., Against Babylon, in confidence whereof thou hast been hardened and heartened in thy sinful practices, to thine utter undoing. And causes of banishment,] scil., Eventually, and as it hath proved.

Ellicott's Commentary on Lamentations 2:14

(14) Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things.—The words are eminently characteristic of Jeremiah, whose whole life had been spent in conflict with the false prophets (Jeremiah 2:8; Jeremiah 5:13; Jeremiah 6:13; Jeremiah 8:10; Jeremiah 14:14; Jeremiah 28:9, and elsewhere), who spoke smooth things, and prophesied deceit. They did not call men to repent of their iniquity. False burdens.—The noun is used, as in Jeremiah 23:33, with a touch of irony, as being that in which the false prophets delighted. What they uttered, however, as a vision of God, did not tend to restoration, but was itself a “cause of banishment,” and tended to perpetuate and aggravate the miseries of exile.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Lamentations 2:14

Verse 14. They have not discovered thine iniquity] They did not reprove for sin, they flattered them in their transgressions; and instead of turning away thy captivity, by turning thee from thy sins, they have pretended visions of good in thy favour, and false burdens for thy enemies.

Cambridge Bible on Lamentations 2:14

14. The thought that the false prophets are worthy of condemnation for buoying the people up with vain hopes is distinctly in Jeremiah’s manner (cp. Ezekiel 12:24; Ezekiel 13:6 f., Ezekiel 22:28). It is true that we here wholly lack the vehement rebukes which he administered to the people and the priests for their disloyalty to Jehovah. But it is not necessarily fatal to the prophet’s authorship that the writer bestows unqualified pity on his fellow-countrymen. We can hardly look for invective in a sorrowful lament. foolishness] i.e. what is meaningless, worthless. discovered] uncovered, revealed (to thee), a sense now obsolete. Cp. “Go, draw aside the curtains, and discover The several caskets to this noble prince.” Merch. of Ven. Act II. Sc. 7. to bring again thy captivity] See on Jeremiah 29:14. burdens (better as mg. oracles) of vanity] i.e. false oracles. See on Jeremiah 23:33 ff. causes of banishment] or (less well) mg. things to draw thee aside, i.e. from Jehovah to idols. The Heb. word for “banishment” is not elsewhere found. It here points to the consequences which followed the teaching of the false prophets. Cp. Jeremiah 27:10; Jeremiah 27:15.

Barnes' Notes on Lamentations 2:14

Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee - The Septuagint and Vulgate give the true meaning, “stupidity” (see Jeremiah 23:13 note).

Whedon's Commentary on Lamentations 2:14

14. Thy prophets — This is in continuation of the preceding verse. The false prophets had indeed cried “Peace, peace,” but there was no peace.

Sermons on Lamentations 2:14

SermonDescription
Carter Conlon Prayer for a Desperate Hour by Carter Conlon This sermon emphasizes the power of prayer in desperate times, calling for a revival of prayer and seeking God's intervention in the nation. Drawing from Ezekiel 22:28-30, the mess
David Wilkerson A Great Apostasy by David Wilkerson In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of maintaining a childlike trust and confidence in God. He criticizes the modern methods and techniques used in churches and
Alan Redpath God Seeks a Man of Prayer by Alan Redpath In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the lack of justice and salvation in the world, drawing parallels to historical events such as the Vietnam War, the tragedy of the boat peop
Alan Redpath Christian Growth - Part 4 by Alan Redpath In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the state of the world and compares it to the biblical verses that describe a lack of justice and salvation. He specifically mentions the tr
David Wilkerson Hatching Snake Eggs by David Wilkerson In this sermon, the preacher addresses the issue of putting off seeking deliverance from sin and turning back to God. He calls on those who have been injured or run away from God t
Alan Redpath Repairing the Breach by Alan Redpath In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that the convention is not a time for religious entertainment, but rather a time for serious reflection on one's spiritual journey. The messa
Laurence White The Sin of Silence by Laurence White In this sermon, the speaker urges Christians in America to take action against evil and fight for righteousness. He references the story of the White Rose, a group of university st
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