Jeremiah 8:15

15 We hoped for peace, but no good has come, for a time of healing, but there was only terror.

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 take away their harvest, declares the LORD. There will be no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the tree, and even the leaf will wither. Whatever I have given them will be lost to them.”

14 Why are we just sitting here? Gather together, let us flee to the fortified cities and perish there, for the LORD our God has doomed us. He has given us poisoned water to drink, because we have sinned against the LORD.

15 We hoped for peace, but no good has come, for a time of healing, but there was only terror.

16 The snorting of enemy horses is heard from Dan. At the sound of the neighing of mighty steeds, the whole land quakes. They come to devour the land and everything in it, the city and all who dwell in it.

17 “For behold, I will send snakes among you, vipers that cannot be charmed, and they will bite you,” declares the LORD.