Jeremiah 14:5

5 The doe in the countryside, giving birth, abandons her young for lack of grass.

Jeremiah 14:5 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 14:5

Yea, the hind also calved in the field
Or brought forth her young in the field; of which see ( Job 39:1-4 ) , and which they sometimes did through fear, particularly when frightened with thunder and lightning; and which are common in a time of heat and drought, which is the case here; see ( Psalms 29:9 ) of these sort of creatures there were great plenty in Judea and the parts adjacent. Aelianus ^F26 says, the harts in Syria are bred on the highest mountains, Amanus, Lebanon, and Carmel; which were mountains on the borders of the land of Canaan; and the flesh of these was much used for food by the Jews; see ( Deuteronomy 12:15 Deuteronomy 12:22 ) ( Deuteronomy 14:4 Deuteronomy 14:5 ) ( 15:22 ) : and forsook it;
which, as it is a loving creature to its mate, so very careful of its young, and provident for it, and nourishes it, as Pliny

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FOOTNOTES:

F1 observes. The reason of such uncommon usage follows: because there was no grass;
for the hind to feed upon, and so had no milk to suckle its young with; and therefore left it to seek for grass elsewhere, that it might have food for itself, and milk for its young.
F26 De Anima. l. 5. c. 56.
F1 Nat. Hist. l. 8. c. 32.

Jeremiah 14:5 In-Context

3 Her nobles send their servants for water; they go to the cisterns but find no water, so they return with empty jars. Ashamed and dismayed, they cover their heads.

4 Because of the ground, which is cracked, since it has not rained in the land, the farmers are ashamed; they cover their heads.

5 The doe in the countryside, giving birth, abandons her young for lack of grass.

6 The wild donkeys standing on the bare heights gasp for air like jackals; their eyes grow dim from trying to spot any vegetation."

7 Although our crimes witness against us, take action, ADONAI, for your name's sake; for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against you.