Jeremiah 14
Irwin1 the dearth. Or, “the drought,” as R.V.
2 the gates thereof. That is, the gates of its cities: meaning those who assemble there: see Job xxix. 7.
They are black unto the ground. i.e., “They sit in black (the garb of mourning) upon the ground,” as R.V.
3 their little ones. Rather, “their servants.”
covered their heads. Like mourners: see Esther vi. 12.
4 the ground is chapt. Rather, “the husbandmen are dismayed.”
plowmen. They could not till the hard earth, nor hope for a harvest if they did so.
6 no grass. No herbage (R.V.) generally: a different word from “grass,” in ver. 5.
7. Do Thou [it]. Rather, and more expressively, “Act Thou.”
8 as a stranger in the land. Who feels no particular interest in it.
10. Therefore the Lord doth not accept them. Words of an earlier prophet (Hos. viii. 13).
12 oblation. Meal offering: minchah, as in the Levitical ordinances.
16 their wickedness. That is, the consequences of their wickedness.
18 go about into a land that they know not. This may be rendered, “go trafficking into the land, and regard not,” i.e., they carry on their deception regardless of God’s judgements: cp. R.V., and marg.
22 that can cause rain. A question suggested by the drought.