Jeremiah 8:15

15 We were looking for peace, but no good came; and for a time of well-being, but there is only a great fear.

Jeremiah 8:15 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 8:15

We looked for peace
Outward prosperity, affluence of temporal blessings, peace with enemies, and safety from them, which the false prophets had given them reason to expect; or which last they concluded and hoped for, from their being in the defenced cities: but no good came;
they were disappointed in their expectation; the good that was promised them, and they looked for, never came, but all the reverse: and for a time of health;
or, of healing ^F12; the political wounds of the commonwealth of Israel: and behold trouble!
or "terror" ^F13; at the approach of the enemy, described in the following verses. The Targum is,

``a time of pardon of offences, and, lo, a punishment of sins.''

Healing, in Scripture, signifies pardon of sin; see ( Psalms 41:4 ) ( 103:3 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F12 (hprm) "medelae, [vel] sanationis", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Schmidt.
F13 (hteb) "terror", Pagninus, Montanus, Junius & Tremellius, Schmdit.

Jeremiah 8:15 In-Context

13 I will put an end to them completely, says the Lord: there are no grapes on the vine and no figs on the fig-tree, and the leaf is dry.

14 Why are we seated doing nothing? come together, and let us go to the walled towns, and let destruction overtake us there, for the Lord our God has sent destruction on us, and given us bitter water for our drink, because we have done evil against the Lord.

15 We were looking for peace, but no good came; and for a time of well-being, but there is only a great fear.

16 The loud breathing of the horses comes to our ears from Dan: at the sound of the outcry of his war-horses, all the land is shaking with fear; for they have come, and have made a meal of the land and everything in it; the town and the people living in it.

17 See, I will send snakes and poison-snakes among you, against which the wonder-worker has no power; and they will give you wounds which may not be made well, says the Lord.