Old Testament

Jeremiah 14:8

The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English

At a Glance

In this verse, the speaker addresses God, recognizing Him as the source of hope and salvation for Israel, especially in difficult times.

Author: Jeremiah the prophet, with Baruch
Written: Around 600 BC
Genre: Prophecy
Original Audience: Judah before and during the Babylonian exile

CBTClear Bible Translation

"You are the hope of Israel, the one who saves us in times of trouble. Why do you act like a stranger passing through the land, like a traveler who only stops for one night?"

KJVKing James Version

O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In this verse, the speaker addresses God, recognizing Him as the source of hope and salvation for Israel, especially in difficult times. The speaker expresses confusion and concern, questioning why God seems distant and uninvolved, like a traveler who only briefly stops in a place. This metaphor highlights feelings of abandonment and a longing for God's presence and intervention. The imagery of a stranger suggests that the speaker feels as if God is not fully engaged with His people, which raises doubts about His commitment to their plight. The verse captures a deep emotional struggle, reflecting the tension between faith in God's promises and the reality of suffering and silence during crises. It emphasizes the need for reassurance of God's constant presence and support, especially when facing challenges.

Key themes

Related Bible verses

How to apply Jeremiah 14:8 to your life

In times of trouble, we may feel abandoned or distant from God. This verse encourages us to seek His presence actively and remind ourselves of His promises. We can pray for reassurance and trust that He is always with us, even when we feel alone.

Curated for this public verse page. Jeremiah Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Jeremiah 14:8 mean about God's presence?

Jeremiah 14:8 expresses a deep longing for God's presence during difficult times. The speaker acknowledges God as the hope and savior of Israel but feels as if God is distant, like a traveler who only briefly visits. This highlights the emotional struggle of feeling abandoned while still holding onto faith in God's promises. It serves as a reminder that even when we feel alone, we can seek God's reassurance and trust in His unwavering support.

How can I apply Jeremiah 14:8 in my life?

To apply Jeremiah 14:8, recognize that in times of trouble, it's common to feel distant from God. Use this verse as a prompt to actively seek God's presence through prayer, meditation, or reading scripture. Remind yourself of His promises and past faithfulness. Engage in community support, as sharing your struggles can help reinforce your faith. This verse encourages you to trust that God is always with you, even when His presence feels hidden.

What emotions are expressed in Jeremiah 14:8?

Jeremiah 14:8 conveys feelings of confusion, abandonment, and longing. The speaker feels that God, despite being the source of hope and salvation, seems distant and uninvolved during a time of crisis. This emotional tension reflects the struggle between faith and the reality of suffering, highlighting the human experience of questioning God's presence and commitment during hardships.

Why does the speaker compare God to a traveler in Jeremiah 14:8?

The comparison of God to a traveler in Jeremiah 14:8 symbolizes the speaker's perception of God's distance and temporary involvement in their lives. It suggests that the speaker feels as if God is not fully engaged with His people, leading to feelings of abandonment. This metaphor emphasizes the desire for a more constant and reassuring presence from God, especially in times of trouble.

Book Summary

The Book of Jeremiah

Jeremiah 1: The Call of Jeremiah

The words of Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah, a priest from Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, are recorded. The word of the LORD comes to him in the thirteenth year of King Josiah's reign over Judah. It continues to come to him through the reign of King Jehoiakim and until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah, when Jerusalem is carried into captivity. The LORD states that before He formed Jeremiah in the womb, He knew him and ordained him as a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah responds that he cannot speak because he is a child. The LORD commands him not to say he is a child, for he will go where the LORD sends him and speak what the LORD commands.

The LORD promises to be with Jeremiah to deliver him and tells him not to be afraid of the people's faces. Then, the LORD touches Jeremiah's mouth and puts His words in it. He sets Jeremiah over nations and kingdoms to root out, pull down, destroy, throw down, build, and plant. The LORD shows Jeremiah a vision of a rod from an almond tree, signifying that He will hasten His word to perform it. In a second vision, Jeremiah sees a seething pot with its face toward the north, and the LORD explains that evil will break forth from the north upon all the inhabitants of the land. The LORD declares He will call the families of the kingdoms of the north to set their thrones at the gates of Jerusalem. He will utter His judgments against His people for their wickedness, for forsaking Him, burning incense to other gods, and worshipping the works of their own hands. The LORD commands Jeremiah to arise and speak all that He commands, making him a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land, its kings, priests, and people, who will fight against him but not prevail, for the LORD is with him to deliver him. Jeremiah 2: Israel's Faithlessness The word of the LORD comes to Jeremiah, telling him to cry in the ears of Jerusalem. The LORD says He remembers the kindness of Israel's youth and their love when they followed Him in the wilderness. Israel was holiness to the LORD, the firstfruits of His increase, and all who devoured him would be held guilty. The LORD asks the house of Jacob what iniquity their fathers found in Him that they have gone far from Him, walking after vanity. They did not ask, "Where is the LORD who brought us out of Egypt?" The LORD brought them into a plentiful country, but they defiled His land and made His heritage an abomination. The priests did not ask where the LORD was, those who handle the law did not know Him, the pastors transgressed against Him, and the prophets prophesied by Baal.

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