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Jeremiah 14:4

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 14:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Because of the ground which is cracked, for that no rain hath been in the land, the plowmen are put to shame, they cover their heads.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Because of the ground which is cracked, for that no rain hath been in the land, the plowmen are put to shame, they cover their heads.
Jeremiah 14:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 14

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1The word of Jehovah that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought.
2Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish, they sit in black upon the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up.
3And their nobles send their little ones to the waters: they come to the cisterns, and find no water; they return with their vessels empty; they are put to shame and confounded, and cover their heads.
4Because of the ground which is cracked, for that no rain hath been in the land, the plowmen are put to shame, they cover their heads.
5Yea, the hind also in the field calveth, and forsaketh [her young], because there is no grass.
6And the wild asses stand on the bare heights, they pant for air like jackals; their eyes fail, because there is no herbage.
7Though our iniquities testify against us, work thou for thy name`s sake, O Jehovah; for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee.
← Jeremiah 14:3Jeremiah 14:5 →
← Full Chapter 14 Jeremiah Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Because the ground is chapt, etc.] Through the violent heat of the sun, and want of rain; or, is brokenf288; and crumbles into dust. The Targum is, “because of sins, the inhabitants of the earth are broken:” for there was no rain in the earth; this was the reason of the dearth, and of the famine, and why there was no water in the pits, and the ground was parched. It is to be understood of the land of Judea only, not of the whole earth: the ploughmen were ashamed; because they could not work the earth with their plough; were obliged to sit still, could do no work, or go on with their husbandry; nothing could be done for want of rain: they covered their heads; as before; (See Gill on…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Is chapt - Rather, is dismayed. “The ground” is used metaphorically for the people who until the ground. In the earth - i. e., “in the land.” return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“14:4-6 Both people and animals were helpless in the drought. • The farmers would cover their heads with coarse burlap to express shame, humiliation, and mourning.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the ground: Lev 26:19, Lev 26:20; Deu 28:23, Deu 28:24, Deu 29:23; Joe 1:19, Joe 1:20 the plowmen: Joe 1:11, Joe 1:17 Jeremiah 14:5”
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Related study paths

Read Jeremiah 14 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification