Jeremiah 5:14

The Lord Proclaims Judgment

14 Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of hosts: “Because you have spoken this word, behold, ¹I am making my words in your mouth ²a fire, and this people wood, and the fire shall consume them.

Jeremiah 5:14 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 5:14

Wherefore thus saith the Lord God of hosts, because ye speak
this word
That it is not the Lord; it is not he that speaks; it is no prophecy of him, and therefore shall become wind, and come to nothing: behold, I will make my word in thy mouth fire:
it shall have its effect, and a dreadful one; it shall not become wind, but be as fire, not to enlighten the understanding, to purify the conscience, and warm the heart; but to torture, distress, and destroy, as the fire of the word out of the mouths of the two witnesses, ( Revelation 11:5 ) : and this people wood, and it shall devour them;
as wood is devoured by fire, so shall this people be destroyed by sword and famine, as the word of the prophecy has declared they should; and which was done by the following means.

Jeremiah 5:14 In-Context

12 They have spoken falsely of the Lord and have said, ‘He will do nothing; no disaster will come upon us, nor shall we see sword or famine.

13 The prophets will become wind; the word is not in them. Thus shall it be done to them! ’”

14 Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of hosts: “Because you have spoken this word, behold, I am making my words in your mouth a fire, and this people wood, and the fire shall consume them.

15 Behold, I am bringing against you a nation from afar, O house of Israel, declares the Lord. It is an enduring nation; it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language you do not know, nor can you understand what they say.

16 Their quiver is like an open tomb; they are all mighty warriors.

Cross References

• 1. 5:14 [ch. 1:9, 10]
• 2. 5:14 [Obad. 18; Zech. 12:6; Rev. 11:5]