Jeremiah 14:1-2
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This verse, though brief, highlights that the message isn't just about a drought, but specifically the "withholdings" of rain, emphasizing God's direct action in restraining the very source of life for the land. It hints that this isn't just a natural disaster, but a divine response, a deliberate withholding that carries a profound spiritual message.
The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought: “Judah mourns, and her gates languish; her people lament on the ground, and the cry of Jerusalem goes up.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Lord declares He has a message for Jeremiah regarding a severe drought plaguing Judah, a hardship that has left the land parched and the people desperate. This drought isn't just a natural disaster; it's a divine judgment, a consequence of their sin that has led to the withholding of rain. The verses that follow vividly describe the misery caused by this lack of water, setting the stage for Jeremiah's heartfelt plea to God on behalf of his people.
Ever felt like the heavens just shut down on you? Jeremiah's message starts with a powerful image of divine silence.
Jeremiah 14:1 opens with 'The word of the LORD... concerning the dearth.' The Hebrew word used here is fascinating. It literally speaks of 'restraints' or 'withholdings.' This isn't just a natural drought; it's God actively restraining the rain.
God's Active Hand
Think about it: the earth needs rain to live. When it doesn't rain, it's not just an unfortunate circumstance; it's a sign that God, who holds the skies in His hands, has paused His provision. This 'withholding' is a powerful form of divine communication, a judgment that impacts the very lifeblood of the land and its people.
More Than Just Weather
This drought wasn't merely a lack of rain; it was a message. It spoke of God's displeasure and the consequences of His people's disobedience. The land itself, so dependent on God's timing and generosity, was crying out under His restraint.
This wasn't just a dry spell; it was a crisis that threatened the survival of an entire nation. Imagine the desperation.
The commentators note that this drought was widespread, affecting 'all Judea,' not just the city of Jerusalem. This sets the stage for the profound suffering and widespread impact that Jeremiah’s prophecy describes.
From Fields to Famine
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The immediate consequence of God withholding rain is the failure of crops and the drying up of water sources. This impacts everyone: farmers can't sow or reap, livestock suffer, and people face starvation. The very foundations of daily life and sustenance are threatened.
A Public Call to Fasting
The severity of this drought was so great that it eventually led to public acts of repentance, like the extraordinary fast proclaimed by King Jehoiakim mentioned in Jeremiah 36. While these outward displays might have been performed, the prophecy shows that God was not pleased with their actions because their hearts were not truly turned to Him.
Understand the original words
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.
ʾāḇal · Hebrew Verb
To express deep sorrow, grief, or distress, often in the context of bereavement, national calamity, or repentance before God.
ʾāmal · Hebrew Verb
To become weak, feeble, or to wither away, often due to lack of sustenance or hope. In this context, it signifies the cessation of activity and life-giving vitality.
This prophecy concerning drought likely occurred during the turbulent reign of Jehoiakim, before the final destruction of Jerusalem, possibly connected to a national fast called by the king. The "withholdings" refer to God stopping the rain, a direct consequence of their sin that brought widespread suffering and famine to all of Judah.
c. 609-598 BC— this verse
Reign of Jehoiakim
During this period, Judah experienced political turmoil and increasing pressure from the Babylonian Empire, setting a backdrop for Jeremiah's prophecies.
c. 604 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar deports Jewish leaders and skilled workers to Babylon, including figures like Daniel, intensifying the sense of crisis in Judah.
c. 601 BC
Jehoiakim Proclaims a Fast
A great public fast is proclaimed by King Jehoiakim, possibly in response to a severe drought and famine, indicating widespread distress in the land.
c. 598 BC
Reign of Zedekiah Begins
Jehoiakim's son Zedekiah becomes king, continuing to face the Babylonian threat and internal divisions within Judah.
c. 588 BC
Siege of Jerusalem Begins
The Babylonians lay siege to Jerusalem, leading to extreme famine and suffering within the city as supplies are cut off.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
Jerusalem is conquered, the Temple is destroyed, and the majority of the population is exiled to Babylon, marking the end of the kingdom of Judah.
This passage describes how the Lord can withhold the heavens and prevent rain, directly paralleling the cause of the drought mentioned in Jeremiah.
1 Kings 17:1This narrative shows Elijah declaring a drought upon Israel as a consequence of disobedience, illustrating a historical precedent for God using drought as a form of judgment.
Joel 1:19-20Joel vividly describes the devastation caused by drought, with livestock crying out and fields being scorched, mirroring the plight described in Jeremiah's prophecy.
Luke 4:25Jesus references the time of great drought in Elijah's day, confirming that such events were understood as divine actions within Israel's history.
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…
This verse, though brief, highlights that the message isn't just about a drought, but specifically the "withholdings" of rain, emphasizing God's direct action in restraining the very source of life for the land. It hints that this isn't just a natural disaster, but a divine response, a deliberate withholding that carries a profound spiritual message.
The Lord declares He has a message for Jeremiah regarding a severe drought plaguing Judah, a hardship that has left the land parched and the people desperate. This drought isn't just a natural disaster; it's a divine judgment, a consequence of their sin that has led to the withholding of rain. The verses that follow vividly describe the misery caused by this lack of water, setting the stage for Jeremiah's heartfelt plea to God on behalf of his people.
The Lord declares He has a message for Jeremiah regarding a severe drought plaguing Judah, a hardship that has left the land parched and the people desperate. This drought isn't just a natural disaster; it's a divine judgment, a consequence of their sin that has led to the withholding of rain. The verses that follow vividly describe the misery caused by this lack of water, setting the stage for Jeremiah's heartfelt plea to God on behalf of his people.
"The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought: “Judah mourns, and her gates languish; her people lament on the ground, and the cry of Jerusalem goes up." — This verse, though brief, highlights that the message isn't just about a drought, but specifically the "withholdings" of rain, emphasizing God's direct action in restraining the very source of life…
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Last reviewed October 2026
