Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The ground is cracked because there is no rain in the land; the farmers are dismayed and cover their heads. New Living Translation The ground is parched and cracked for lack of rain. The farmers are deeply troubled; they, too, cover their heads. English Standard Version Because of the ground that is dismayed, since there is no rain on the land, the farmers are ashamed; they cover their heads. Berean Standard Bible The ground is cracked because no rain has fallen on the land. The farmers are ashamed; they cover their heads. Berean Literal Bible Because the ground is parched, for there was no rain in the land, the plowmen were ashamed; they covered their heads. King James Bible Because the ground is chapt, for there was no rain in the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they covered their heads. New King James Version Because the ground is parched, For there was no rain in the land, The plowmen were ashamed; They covered their heads. New American Standard Bible Because the ground is cracked, For there has been no rain on the land. The farmers have been put to shame, They have covered their heads. NASB 1995 “Because the ground is cracked, For there has been no rain on the land; The farmers have been put to shame, They have covered their heads. NASB 1977 “Because the ground is cracked, For there has been no rain on the land; The farmers have been put to shame, They have covered their heads. Legacy Standard Bible Because the ground is dismayed, For there has been no rain on the land, The farmers have been put to shame; They have covered their heads. Amplified Bible “The ground is cracked Because there has been no rain on the land; The farmers are distressed, And they have covered their heads [in shame]. Berean Annotated Bible The ground is cracked because no rain has fallen on the land. The farmers are ashamed; they cover their heads. Christian Standard Bible The ground is cracked since no rain has fallen on the land. The farmers are ashamed; they cover their heads. Holman Christian Standard Bible The ground is cracked since no rain has fallen on the land. The farmers are ashamed; they cover their heads. American Standard Version Because of the ground which is cracked, for that no rain hath been in the land, the plowmen are put to shame, they cover their heads. Contemporary English Version There has been no rain, and farmers feel sick as they watch cracks appear in the dry ground. English Revised Version Because of the ground which is chapt, for that no rain hath been in the land, the plowmen are ashamed, they cover their heads. GOD'S WORD® Translation The ground is cracked because there has been no rain in the land. The farmers are disappointed. They cover their heads. Good News Translation Because there is no rain and the ground is dried up, the farmers are sick at heart; they hide their faces. International Standard Version The ground is cracked, because there has been no rain in the land. The farmers are disappointed, and they cover their heads in shame. NET Bible They are dismayed because the ground is cracked because there has been no rain in the land. The farmers, too, are dismayed and bury their faces in their hands. New Heart English Bible Because of the ground which is cracked, because no rain has been in the land, the plowmen are disappointed, they cover their heads. Webster's Bible Translation Because the ground is chapt, for there was no rain on the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they covered their heads. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThe ground is cracked because no rain has fallen on the land. The farmers are ashamed; they cover their heads. World English Bible Because of the ground which is cracked, because no rain has been in the land, the plowmen are disappointed. They cover their heads. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionBecause the ground has been broken, "" For there has been no rain in the land, "" Farmers have been ashamed, "" They have covered their head. Berean Literal Bible Because the ground is parched, for there was no rain in the land, the plowmen were ashamed; they covered their heads. Young's Literal Translation Because the ground hath been broken, For there hath been no rain in the land, Ashamed have been husbandmen, They have covered their head. Smith's Literal Translation For the land was broken, for there was no rain in the land; the husbandmen were ashamed, they covered their head. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor the destruction of the land, because there came no rain upon the earth, the husbandmen were confounded, they covered their heads. Catholic Public Domain Version Because of the devastation of the earth, because rain did not fall upon the earth, the farmers were confounded; they covered their heads. New American Bible because of the ruined soil; Because there is no rain in the land the farmers are confounded, they cover their heads. New Revised Standard Version because the ground is cracked. Because there has been no rain on the land the farmers are dismayed; they cover their heads. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBecause of the evil deeds of the land, the ground is parched, no rain has fallen upon it; the farmers are ashamed, they covered their heads. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Because of the deeds of the land there was no rain. The farmers were disgraced and they covered their heads OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Because of the ground which is cracked, For there hath been no rain in the land, The plowmen are ashamed, they cover their heads. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the labours of the land failed, because there was no rain: the husbandmen were ashamed, they covered their heads. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Drought, Famine, Sword, Pestilence…3The nobles send their servants for water; they go to the cisterns, but find no water; their jars return empty. They are ashamed and humiliated; they cover their heads. 4 The ground is cracked because no rain has fallen on the land. The farmers are ashamed; they cover their heads. 5Even the doe in the field deserts her newborn fawn because there is no grass.… Cross References The ground is cracked Psalm 107:33-35 He turns rivers into deserts, springs of water into thirsty ground, / and fruitful land into fields of salt, because of the wickedness of its dwellers. / He turns a desert into pools of water and a dry land into flowing springs. Isaiah 24:4-7 The earth mourns and withers; the world languishes and fades; the exalted of the earth waste away. / The earth is defiled by its people; they have transgressed the laws; they have overstepped the decrees and broken the everlasting covenant. / Therefore a curse has consumed the earth, and its inhabitants must bear the guilt; the earth’s dwellers have been burned, and only a few survive. … Joel 1:17-20 The seeds lie shriveled beneath the clods; the storehouses are in ruins; the granaries are broken down, for the grain has withered away. / How the cattle groan! The herds wander in confusion because they have no pasture. Even the flocks of sheep are suffering. / To You, O LORD, I call, for fire has consumed the open pastures and flames have scorched all the trees of the field. … because no rain has fallen on the land. 1 Kings 8:35-36 When the skies are shut and there is no rain because Your people have sinned against You, and they pray toward this place and confess Your name, and they turn from their sins because You have afflicted them, / then may You hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, so that You may teach them the good way in which they should walk. May You send rain on the land that You gave Your people as an inheritance. Deuteronomy 11:16-17 But be careful that you are not enticed to turn aside to worship and bow down to other gods, / or the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you. He will shut the heavens so that there will be no rain, nor will the land yield its produce, and you will soon perish from the good land that the LORD is giving you. 2 Chronicles 7:13 If I close the sky so there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send a plague among My people, The farmers are ashamed; Joel 1:11 Be dismayed, O farmers, wail, O vinedressers, over the wheat and barley, because the harvest of the field has perished. Jeremiah 12:13 They have sown wheat but harvested thorns. They have exhausted themselves to no avail. Bear the shame of your harvest because of the fierce anger of the LORD.” Haggai 1:6-11 You have planted much but harvested little. You eat but never have enough. You drink but never have your fill. You put on clothes but never get warm. You earn wages to put into a bag pierced through.” / This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Consider carefully your ways. / Go up into the hills, bring down lumber, and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified, says the LORD. … they cover their heads. 2 Samuel 15:30 But David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went up. His head was covered, and he was walking barefoot. And all the people with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they went. Esther 6:12 Then Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief. Lamentations 2:10 The elders of the Daughter of Zion sit on the ground in silence. They have thrown dust on their heads and put on sackcloth. The young women of Jerusalem have bowed their heads to the ground. Joel 1:10-12 The field is ruined; the land mourns. For the grain is destroyed, the new wine is dried up, and the oil fails. / Be dismayed, O farmers, wail, O vinedressers, over the wheat and barley, because the harvest of the field has perished. / The grapevine is dried up, and the fig tree is withered; the pomegranate, palm, and apple—all the trees of the orchard—are withered. Surely the joy of mankind has dried up. Amos 4:7-8 “I also withheld the rain from you when the harvest was three months away. I sent rain on one city but withheld it from another. One field received rain; another without rain withered. / People staggered from city to city for water to drink, but they were not satisfied; yet you did not return to Me,” declares the LORD. Isaiah 5:6 I will make it a wasteland, neither pruned nor cultivated, and thorns and briers will grow up. I will command the clouds that rain shall not fall on it.” Deuteronomy 28:23-24 The sky over your head will be bronze, and the earth beneath you iron. / The LORD will turn the rain of your land into dust and powder; it will descend on you from the sky until you are destroyed. Treasury of Scripture Because the ground is beat down, for there was no rain in the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they covered their heads. the ground. Leviticus 26:19,20 And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass: … Deuteronomy 28:23,24 And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron… Deuteronomy 29:23 And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath: the plowmen. Joel 1:11,17 Be ye ashamed, O ye husbandmen; howl, O ye vinedressers, for the wheat and for the barley; because the harvest of the field is perished… Jump to Previous Ashamed Cover Covered Covering Cracked Disappointed Dismayed Earth Farmers Fear Ground Head Heads Husbandmen Plowmen Rain Shame Shamed WorkJump to Next Ashamed Cover Covered Covering Cracked Disappointed Dismayed Earth Farmers Fear Ground Head Heads Husbandmen Plowmen Rain Shame Shamed WorkJeremiah 14 1. The grievous famine,7. causes Jeremiah to pray. 10. The Lord will not be entreated for the people. 13. false prophets are no excuse for them. 17. Jeremiah is moved to complain for them. The ground is cracked This phrase highlights the severe drought conditions affecting the land. In the ancient Near East, agriculture was heavily dependent on seasonal rains. Cracked ground signifies extreme dryness and a lack of moisture necessary for crops to grow. This imagery is often used in the Bible to symbolize spiritual barrenness and judgment from God (e.g., Isaiah 24:4). because no rain has fallen on the land. The farmers are ashamed; they cover their heads. Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah. His ministry was marked by deep personal suffering and a profound sense of duty to God's word. 2. Judah The southern kingdom of Israel, which was facing severe drought and impending judgment due to its persistent idolatry and disobedience to God. 3. The Farmers Representing the people of Judah, they are depicted as being in a state of shame and despair due to the drought, which symbolizes the spiritual barrenness of the nation. 4. The Drought A physical manifestation of God's judgment on Judah for their sins, serving as a call to repentance and a return to faithfulness. 5. The Land The physical territory of Judah, which is suffering due to the lack of rain, symbolizing the spiritual desolation of the people. Teaching Points Spiritual Drought and RepentanceJust as physical drought leads to cracked ground, spiritual drought results from a lack of connection with God. Believers are called to examine their lives for areas of spiritual dryness and seek God's forgiveness and renewal. Shame and Humility The farmers' shame reflects the appropriate response to sin. True repentance involves acknowledging our failures and humbling ourselves before God. Dependence on God The drought reminds us of our dependence on God for both physical and spiritual sustenance. In times of need, we must turn to Him as our ultimate provider. The Consequences of Disobedience The drought serves as a tangible reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's commands. It encourages believers to remain faithful and obedient to His word. Hope in Restoration While the drought signifies judgment, it also points to the hope of restoration. God desires to heal and restore His people when they turn back to Him. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 14:4?2. How does Jeremiah 14:4 illustrate the consequences of turning away from God? 3. What can we learn about God's judgment from Jeremiah 14:4's drought imagery? 4. How does Jeremiah 14:4 connect with other biblical warnings about disobedience? 5. In what ways can we apply Jeremiah 14:4 to modern spiritual droughts? 6. How should believers respond to God's discipline as seen in Jeremiah 14:4? 7. What historical events might Jeremiah 14:4 be referencing regarding drought and famine in ancient Judah? 8. How does Jeremiah 14:4 reflect God's judgment and mercy in the Old Testament? 9. What theological implications does the drought in Jeremiah 14:4 have on understanding divine punishment? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 14? 11. What do 'Latter Rain' and 'Former Rain' mean? 12. Does Jeremiah 12:4's description of a mourning land and withered vegetation align with any verifiable historical or archaeological evidence? 13. Jeremiah 14:1-6: Does any historical or archeological evidence confirm or challenge the account of a severe drought at that time? 14. Could the drought and crop failures (Haggai 1:9-11) be purely natural occurrences rather than direct punishment from God? What Does Jeremiah 14:4 Mean The ground is cracked• Visual evidence of severe drought: fissured soil crying out that something is terribly wrong (Jeremiah 14:2). • A literal picture of the judgment God warned about in Deuteronomy 28:23-24—“the sky over your head shall be bronze, and the earth beneath you iron.” • Similar scenes appear when Elijah prayed for no rain (1 Kings 17:7) and when the Lord withheld showers in Amos 4:7, underscoring that God controls the weather to awaken His people. Because no rain has fallen on the land • The drought is not random; it fulfills covenant warnings that turning from the Lord brings withheld rain (Deuteronomy 11:16-17; 1 Kings 8:35). • By stopping what sustains life, God lovingly disciplines, calling Judah to repent before worse calamity (Jeremiah 5:24-25; Hosea 6:1-3). • The phrase reminds us that every raindrop is mercy from God, and rebellion can interrupt that mercy (Psalm 65:9-10). The farmers are ashamed • In an agrarian society, farmers expect fruit from their toil; failure brings public humiliation (Jeremiah 12:13). • Joel uses the same language: “Be ashamed, O farmers… because the harvest of the field has perished” (Joel 1:11). • Their shame exposes how sin’s ripple effects wound everyday people, not just kings and priests. They cover their heads • Covering the head was a common sign of mourning and disgrace (2 Samuel 15:30; Esther 6:12). • Earlier in this same chapter the water-drawers “covered their heads” when the wells were empty (Jeremiah 14:3), showing communal grief. • The gesture admits helplessness; only God can lift the veil of sorrow (Isaiah 61:3). summary Jeremiah 14:4 paints a literal scene of drought-cracked earth, empty skies, and humiliated farmers. Each detail fulfills covenant warnings that disobedience brings withheld rain. The cracked ground testifies to God’s righteous rule over creation; the farmers’ shame shows sin’s personal cost. Yet even this judgment is a mercy-call: when the people turn back, the God who withholds rain is eager to send showers of blessing (Zechariah 10:1; James 5:18). (4) The ground is chapt.--The word is so vivid as describing the long fissures of the soil in a time of drought that one admits with reluctance that no such meaning is found in the Hebrew word, which simply means is struck with terror. The translators apparently followed Luther, who gives lechzet--"languishes for thirst," "gapes open with exhaustion," and so applied to the earth, "is cracked or chapt."As the "gates" in Jeremiah 14:2 stood for the people of the city, so the "ground" stands here as in visible sympathy with the tillers of the soil, the "plowmen" of the next clause. They covered their heads.--There is a singular, almost awful, pathos in the iteration of this description. Cities and country alike are plunged into the utter blackness of despair. Verse 4. - The ground is chapt. Perhaps: but it is more obvious to render, is dismayed, according to the usual meaning of the word. Words which properly belong to human beings are often, by a "poetic fallacy," applied to inanimate objects (as in Ver. 2). In the earth; rather, in the land.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew The groundהָאֲדָמָה֙ (hā·’ă·ḏā·māh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 127: Ground, land is cracked חַ֔תָּה (ḥat·tāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 2865: To prostrate, to break down, either, by violence, by confusion and fear because כִּ֛י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction no לֹא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no rain גֶ֖שֶׁם (ḡe·šem) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1653: Rain, shower has fallen on the land. בָּאָ֑רֶץ (bā·’ā·reṣ) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land The farmers אִכָּרִ֖ים (’ik·kā·rîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 406: A plowman, husbandman are ashamed; בֹּ֥שׁוּ (bō·šū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 954: To pale, to be ashamed, to be disappointed, delayed they cover חָפ֥וּ (ḥā·p̄ū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 2645: To cover, to veil, to encase, protect their heads. רֹאשָֽׁם׃ (rō·šām) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 7218: The head Links Jeremiah 14:4 NIVJeremiah 14:4 NLT Jeremiah 14:4 ESV Jeremiah 14:4 NASB Jeremiah 14:4 KJV Jeremiah 14:4 BibleApps.com Jeremiah 14:4 Biblia Paralela Jeremiah 14:4 Chinese Bible Jeremiah 14:4 French Bible Jeremiah 14:4 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Jeremiah 14:4 Because of the ground which is cracked (Jer.) |
    |