Jeremiah 14:5 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 14:5 mean?

Jeremiah 14:5 describes how even a wild deer (a hind) gives birth in the open field but then abandons her newborn because there is no grass for food. The verse uses this image to show how severe the drought and suffering have become in the land.

In this chapter, God is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to the people of Judah during a time of devastating drought. The verse highlights the desperation of the situation: even animals known for their care of their young are forced to abandon them because the land is so barren. This vivid picture helps the reader grasp just how dire and unnatural the conditions have become.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 14:5

• hind (אַיָּלָה, 'ayyalah): This word refers to a female deer, an animal often associated with gentleness and maternal care. The fact that even such a creature abandons her calf underlines the extremity of the crisis.
• forsook (עָזַב, 'azav): This word means to leave or abandon. The use here emphasizes the unnaturalness of the situation, as a mother animal would not normally leave her newborn unless absolutely forced.
• grass (דֶּשֶׁא, deshe'): This word means fresh grass or green vegetation. Its absence is the direct cause of the abandonment, showing that the drought has stripped the land of even the most basic food sources.

Why Jeremiah 14:5 matters

• Jeremiah 14:5 clears up any idea that the drought affected only people; it shows that even wildlife, which usually survives harsh conditions, is suffering greatly.
• The verse emphasizes the unnaturalness and severity of the disaster, using the image of a hind abandoning her calf to evoke a sense of tragedy and loss.
• This detail connects to the wider chapter, where Jeremiah is describing the consequences of the people's actions and the seriousness of God's judgment through the drought.