Jeremiah 14:5

5 For why and an hind calved in the field, and left her calves, for none herb was (for there was no 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 Greater men sent their less(er) men to (the) water; they came to draw water, and they found no water, (and) they brought again their vessels void; they were shamed and tormented, and they covered their heads,

4 for [the] destroying of the land, for rain came not in the land. (The) Earth-tillers were shamed, (and) they covered their heads.

5 For why and an hind calved in the field, and left her calves, for none herb was (for there was no grass);

6 and wild asses stood in rocks, and drew wind as dragons; their eyes failed, for none herb was. (and the wild donkeys stood on the high rocks, and drew up the wind like jackals; and their eyes failed, for there was no grass.)

7 If our wickednesses answer to us, Lord, do thou for thy name, for our turnings away be many; we have sinned against thee. (Our wickednesses witness against us, Lord, but do thou it for the sake of thy name, even though our turnings away, that is, our sins, be many; yea, we have sinned against thee.)