Jeremiah 14:8

8 You who are the hope of Israel, its Savior in times of distress, why are you like a stranger in the land, like a traveler who stays only a night?

Jeremiah 14:8 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
8 O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?
English Standard Version (ESV)
8 O you hope of Israel, its savior in time of trouble, why should you be like a stranger in the land, like a traveler who turns aside to tarry for a night?
New Living Translation (NLT)
8 O Hope of Israel, our Savior in times of trouble, why are you like a stranger to us? Why are you like a traveler passing through the land, stopping only for the night?
The Message Bible (MSG)
8 Hope of Israel! Our only hope! Israel's last chance in this trouble! Why are you acting like a tourist, taking in the sights, here today and gone tomorrow?
American Standard Version (ASV)
8 O thou hope of Israel, the Saviour thereof in the time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a sojourner in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
8 You are Israel's hope, the one who saves it in times of trouble. Why should you be like a stranger in the land, like a traveler who stays only one night?
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
8 Hope of Israel, its Savior in time of distress, why are You like an alien in the land, like a traveler stopping only for the night?
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
8 You are Israel's only hope. You save us when we're in trouble. Why are you like a stranger to us? Why are you like a traveler who stays for only one night?

Jeremiah 14:8 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 14:8

O the hope of Israel
The author, object, ground, and foundation of hope of all good things, both here and hereafter; in whom Israel had been used to hope in times past, and had great encouragement so to do, ( Psalms 130:7 ) or, "the expectation of Israel" F6; whom they looked for to come: the Saviour thereof in time of trouble;
the Saviour of all men in a way of providence, but especially of the true Israel of God, of them that believe; who, though they have their times of trouble and affliction, by reason of sin, Satan, and wicked men, and other things, yet the Lord saves and delivers them out of them all in due time: why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land;
or, a "sojourner" F7; who abides but for a while; and it not being his native place, is not so solicitous for the welfare of it. Jerome interprets this of Christ when here on earth, who was as a stranger, and unknown by men; see ( Psalms 69:9 ) ( Matthew 8:20 ) ( 25:43 ) and the other characters; of the hope of Israel,
and the Saviour, well agree with him, ( 1 Timothy 1:1 ) ( Colossians 1:27 ) ( Acts 13:23 ) and as a wayfaring man;
or "traveller" F8: that turnest aside to tarry for a night?
that turns into an inn to lodge there for a night, and that only; and so is unconcerned what becomes of it, or the people in it; he is only there for a night, and is gone in the morning. Thus the prophet represents the Lord by these metaphors, as if he was, or at least seemed, careless of his people; and therefore expostulates with him upon it, as the disciples with our Lord, ( Mark 4:38 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F6 (larvy hwqm) "expectatio Israel", Pagninus, Montanus, Cocceius.
F7 (rgk) "quasi colonus", Grotius; "advena", Gataker.
F8 (xrak) "tanquam viator", Pagninus, Montanus, Schmidt.

Jeremiah 14:8 In-Context

6 Wild donkeys stand on the barren heights and pant like jackals; their eyes fail for lack of food.”
7 Although our sins testify against us, do something, LORD, for the sake of your name. For we have often rebelled; we have sinned against you.
8 You who are the hope of Israel, its Savior in times of distress, why are you like a stranger in the land, like a traveler who stays only a night?
9 Why are you like a man taken by surprise, like a warrior powerless to save? You are among us, LORD, and we bear your name; do not forsake us!
10 This is what the LORD says about this people: “They greatly love to wander; they do not restrain their feet. So the LORD does not accept them; he will now remember their wickedness and punish them for their sins.”

Cross References 3

  • 1. S Psalms 9:18; Jeremiah 17:13; Jeremiah 50:7
  • 2. Psalms 18:46; S Isaiah 25:9
  • 3. Psalms 46:1
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