The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought:
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Hebrew word for "dearth" here is more literally translated as "withholdings," pointing not just to a lack of food but specifically to God holding back the rain itself. This emphasizes that the drought, and the resulting famine, is a direct act of divine discipline. It’s not just bad weather; it’s a powerful message from God.
The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought:
English Standard Version (ESV)
The LORD sends Jeremiah a message about a severe drought plaguing the land, a consequence of Judah's sin. This prophecy unfolds through verses describing the parched earth, the suffering of animals and people, and the prophet's intercession, which God ultimately rejects due to the people's unrepented wickedness. The context highlights the deep connection between obedience to God and the land's fertility, showing how sin brings devastating natural consequences.
Before any judgment falls, God speaks. Jeremiah wasn't just observing a problem; he was receiving a divine message.
Jeremiah 14:1 is the clear marker of a new prophetic message. The phrase "The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah" isn't just a casual introduction. It signifies a direct impartation of divine truth, a specific assignment from God. This wasn't Jeremiah's opinion or a cultural observation; it was God speaking through him about a coming crisis. This highlights the prophetic office: to be a conduit for God's voice, especially when difficult truths need to be revealed.
A drought isn't just a lack of rain; it's a profound sign of God's displeasure and a terrifying disruption of life.
The "dearth" mentioned here, often translated from a Hebrew word that can mean "withholdings" or "restraints," points specifically to God's active withholding of rain. This wasn't a natural climate fluctuation; it was a judgment. In a land so dependent on seasonal rains for agriculture and survival, the stopping of rain meant cracked earth, failing crops, thirsty livestock, and ultimately, famine. The text hints that this drought affected all of Judea, not just a single city, underscoring its severity as a national crisis directly linked to God's actions.
Understand the original words
Ask a follow-up
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenant-keeping God of Israel who revealed Himself to Moses. He is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, characterized by holiness, faithfulness, and moral authority.
baṣṣōreṯ · Hebrew Noun
A prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall leading to a shortage of water. In Scripture, it is frequently depicted as a sign of divine judgment or a consequence of covenant disobedience.
This prophecy concerning a devastating drought likely occurred during the tumultuous reign of King Jehoiakim, a period of political instability and spiritual decline when Judah was caught between Egypt and the rising power of Babylon.
Late 7th century BC
Jeremiah's prophetic ministry begins
Jeremiah begins his prophetic ministry under King Josiah, a time of religious reform but with underlying societal issues.
609 BC
Death of King Josiah
King Josiah is killed in battle, leading to political instability and a shift away from his reforms under subsequent kings.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar deports elite Judeans, including Daniel, to Babylon, signaling growing Babylonian power over Judah.
c. 604-598 BC— this verse
Reign of King Jehoiakim
Judah becomes a vassal of Babylon. Jehoiakim's reign is marked by corruption and resistance to God's word, leading to increased judgment.
c. 601 BC
Extraordinary Fast Proclaimed
King Jehoiakim proclaims a public fast, possibly due to a severe drought and the anxieties of political turmoil, though it is not met with God's favor.
597 BC
Second Babylonian Deportation
Following a revolt, Nebuchadnezzar deports King Jehoiachin and more of Judah's population to Babylon, further weakening the kingdom.
This passage describes how God can withhold the rain, leading to drought and famine, directly paralleling the context of Jeremiah's prophecy.
1 Kings 18:5This chapter vividly portrays a severe drought in Israel and Elijah's role, showing that such environmental crises were significant events in biblical history.
Joel 1:20This verse from Joel also speaks of a drought's devastating impact on the land and its creatures, highlighting the ecological and spiritual distress caused by such a calamity.
Luke 21:25Jesus speaks of 'signs in sun and moon and stars, and on earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves,' which can encompass ecological disasters like widespread drought.
barnesJeremiah 14:1: "The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the dearth."
The dearth - Really, the drought,
pooleJeremiah 14:1: "The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the dearth."
A grievous famine prophesied; its miseries, Jeremiah 14:1-6 . The prophet prayeth, but God will not be entreated for them, Jeremiah 14:7-12 . Lying prophets no excuse for them, Jeremiah 14:13-16 . The prophet’s complaint, Jeremiah 14:17-22 . What dearth we are not told, nor when it happened; some think that it was in the time of the siege of Jerusalem; others, that it was in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah…
The Hebrew word for "dearth" here is more literally translated as "withholdings," pointing not just to a lack of food but specifically to God holding back the rain itself. This emphasizes that the drought, and the resulting famine, is a direct act of divine discipline. It’s not just bad weather; it’s a powerful message from God.
The LORD sends Jeremiah a message about a severe drought plaguing the land, a consequence of Judah's sin. This prophecy unfolds through verses describing the parched earth, the suffering of animals and people, and the prophet's intercession, which God ultimately rejects due to the people's unrepented wickedness. The context highlights the deep connection between obedience to God and the land's fertility, showing how sin brings devastating natural consequences.
The LORD sends Jeremiah a message about a severe drought plaguing the land, a consequence of Judah's sin. This prophecy unfolds through verses describing the parched earth, the suffering of animals and people, and the prophet's intercession, which God ultimately rejects due to the people's unrepented wickedness. The context highlights the deep connection between obedience to God and the land's fertility, showing how sin brings devastating natural consequences.
"The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought:" — The Hebrew word for "dearth" here is more literally translated as "withholdings," pointing not just to a lack of food but specifically to God holding back the rain itself. This emphasizes that the dr…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026