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Jeremiah 14:6

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 14:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the wild asses stand on the bare heights, they pant for air like jackals; their eyes fail, because there is no herbage.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the wild asses stand on the bare heights, they pant for air like jackals; their eyes fail, because there is no herbage.
Jeremiah 14:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 14

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
8O thou hope of Israel, the Saviour thereof in the time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a sojourner in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?
9Why shouldest thou be as a man affrighted, as a mighty man that cannot save? yet thou, O Jehovah, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not.
← Jeremiah 14:5Jeremiah 14:7 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the wild asses did stand in the high places, etc.] To see where any grass was to be had, or where the wind blows more freely and cooly, to draw it in; as follows. The Targum renders it, “by the brooks”; and so Jarchi interprets it brooks of water; whither they came as usual to drink, and found them now dried up; and where they stood distressed and languishing, not knowing where to go for any: they snuffed up the wind like dragons: which, being of a hot nature, open their mouths, and draw in the wind and air to cool them. Aelianusf291 reports of the dragons in Phrygia, that they open their mouths, and not only draw in the air, but even birds flying. The word used for dragons signifies…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“wild asses--They repair to "the high places" most exposed to the winds, which they "snuff in" to relieve their thirst. dragons--jackals [HENDERSON]. eyes--which are usually most keen in detecting grass or water from the "heights," so much so that the traveller guesses from their presence that there must be herbage and water near; but now "their eyes fail." Rather the reference is to the great boas and python serpents which raise a large portion of their body up in a vertical column ten or twelve feet high, to survey the neighborhood above the surrounding bushes, while with open jaws they drink in the air. These giant serpents originated the widely spread notions which typified the deluge and…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Like dragons - “Like jackals” Jeremiah 9:11. No grass - The keen sight of the wild donkey is well known, but they look around in vain for herb. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The wild asses - The wild asses wanting water, got upon high places, where was the coolest air, and sucked in the wind; and this it is said they did like dragons, of whom Aristotle and Pliny report, that they ordinarily stand upon high places sucking in the cool air. Jeremiah 14:7”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the wild: Jer 2:24; Job 39:5, Job 39:6 they: They sucked in the air, for want of water, to cool their internal heat. their: Sa1 14:29; Lam 4:17, Lam 5:17; Joe 1:18 Jeremiah 14:7”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification