Jeremiah 14:18
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What's easy to miss here is the utter helplessness of even the spiritual leaders. Jeremiah describes a scene of devastation so complete that both the prophets and priests are forced to wander aimlessly, desperately seeking sustenance in unfamiliar lands. This isn't just about exile; it's about their authority and knowledge failing them, leaving them as lost as everyone else.
If I go out into the field, behold, those pierced by the sword! And if I enter the city, behold, the diseases of famine! For both prophet and priest ply their trade through the land and have no knowledge.’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jeremiah paints a grim picture of inescapable destruction, first describing the slain in the fields by enemy swords and then the starving within the cities, implying that there is no safe refuge. He then laments that even the religious leaders, the prophets and priests, are not exempt from this devastation and must wander into exile in a foreign land, unaware of their fate or where to turn.
Imagine standing at the edge of your homeland, only to see destruction everywhere you look. Jeremiah paints a grim picture of inescapable doom.
Jeremiah vividly describes the complete collapse of Judah. Whether one ventures into the open fields or seeks refuge within the city walls, there is no safety.
This dual image emphasizes that there is no safe haven. The land is utterly consumed by disaster, leaving its people with nowhere to turn.
Even the spiritual leaders, meant to guide and protect, are caught in the same devastating reality. What does this say about their role?
The verse doesn't just describe physical destruction; it points to a spiritual and moral failure. Both prophets and priests, who should have had insight and knowledge of God's ways, are described as being lost.
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This highlights a tragic irony: those entrusted with spiritual leadership and knowledge are themselves in a state of confusion and ignorance, contributing to the people's downfall rather than offering a way out.
Understand the original words
nābî' · Hebrew Noun
A generic term for spiritual leaders or prophets; in this context, it refers to those who claim to speak for God but operate without divine understanding or authority.
kōhēn · Hebrew Noun
An office established by God to represent the people before Him through sacrifices and intercession; failure in this role leads to spiritual blindness and national decay.
This verse vividly portrays the devastating aftermath of Jerusalem's destruction. The imagery of the slain in fields and the sick within cities, alongside the exiled prophets and priests, underscores the complete collapse of social order and spiritual leadership.
701 BC
Sennacherib's Siege of Jerusalem
Assyrian King Sennacherib's campaign into Judah, leading to the siege of Jerusalem. This event, though Jerusalem was spared, devastated surrounding areas and caused significant fear and upheaval.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Under King Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian army conquers Jerusalem, exiling members of the royal family and the educated elite, including figures like Daniel.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Another wave of exiles, including King Jehoiachin and many more prominent citizens and artisans, are taken to Babylon. This event significantly weakened the kingdom.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar completely destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, carrying off most of the remaining population into exile. This marks the end of Judah as an independent kingdom.
c. 586-539 BC
Exile in Babylon
The majority of the Judean population lives in exile in Babylon, maintaining their identity but separated from their homeland and religious practices.
This passage also highlights a societal collapse where leadership, specifically the 'support and sustenance' (like prophets and priests), is removed, leading to widespread distress and confusion.
Lamentations 4:4-5This vivid description of the consequences of famine and societal breakdown directly parallels Jeremiah's imagery of starvation and suffering within the city.
Ezekiel 7:26This verse speaks of a time when vision (from prophets) will fail and the law (taught by priests) will be absent, reflecting the 'no knowledge' aspect of Jeremiah's description of spiritual leaders.
Jeremiah 23:9-10This passage criticizes the unfaithfulness of prophets and priests who cause people to stumble, echoing Jeremiah's lament about their lack of genuine understanding and their role in the nation's downfall.
calvinJeremiah 14:18: "If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not."
If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not.
Si exiero in agrum, ecce (copula…
ellicottJeremiah 14:18: "If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not."
(18) Them that are sick with famine. —Literally, with even a more awful force, as summing all individual sufferings in one collective unity, the sickness of famine— the pestilence that follows on starvation. Go about into a land that they know not.—Literally, g…
What's easy to miss here is the utter helplessness of even the spiritual leaders. Jeremiah describes a scene of devastation so complete that both the prophets and priests are forced to wander aimlessly, desperately seeking sustenance in unfamiliar lands. This isn't just about exile; it's about their authority and knowledge failing them, leaving them as lost as everyone else.
Jeremiah paints a grim picture of inescapable destruction, first describing the slain in the fields by enemy swords and then the starving within the cities, implying that there is no safe refuge. He then laments that even the religious leaders, the prophets and priests, are not exempt from this devastation and must wander into exile in a foreign land, unaware of their fate or where to turn.
Jeremiah paints a grim picture of inescapable destruction, first describing the slain in the fields by enemy swords and then the starving within the cities, implying that there is no safe refuge. He then laments that even the religious leaders, the prophets and priests, are not exempt from this devastation and must wander into exile in a foreign land, unaware of their fate or where to turn.
"If I go out into the field, behold, those pierced by the sword! And if I enter the city, behold, the diseases of famine! For both prophet and priest ply their trade through the land and have no knowledge.’”" — What's easy to miss here is the utter helplessness of even the spiritual leaders. Jeremiah describes a scene of devastation so complete that both the prophets and priests are forced to wander aimle…
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Last reviewed October 2026
