Jeremiah 8:15

15 We hoped for peace, but there was nothing good; for a time of healing, but there was only terror.^[a]

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 gather them and bring them to an end. [This is]*The bracketed text has been added for clarity. the Lord's declaration. There will be no grapes on the vine, no figs on the fig 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 enter the fortified cities and there suffer our fate, for the Lord our God has condemned us. He has given us poisoned water to drink, because we have sinned against the Lord.

15 We hoped for peace, but there was nothing good; for a time of healing, but there was only terror.

16 From Dan is heard the snorting of horses. 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 its residents.

17 Indeed, I am about to send snakes among you, poisonous vipers that cannot be charmed. They will bite you. [This is] the Lord's declaration.

Footnotes

• [a]. Jr 14:19; 33:9