Because the ground is chapt Through the violent heat of the sun, and want of rain; or, is broken F25; 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 Jeremiah 14:3). FOOTNOTES:
2
Judah mourns; her gates languish. [Her people] are on the ground in mourning; Jerusalem's cry rises up.
3
Their nobles send their servants for water. They go to the cisterns; they find no water; their containers return empty. They are ashamed and humiliated; they cover their heads.
4
The ground is cracked since no rain [has fallen] on the land. The farmers are ashamed; they cover their heads.
5
Even the doe in the field gives birth and abandons [her fawn] since there is no grass.
6
Wild donkeys stand on the barren heights panting for air like jackals. Their eyes fail because there are no green plants.