Behold the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people because of them that dwell in a far country: Is not the LORD in Zion? is not her king in her? Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven images, and with strange vanities?

JEREMIAH 8:19KJV
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Jeremiah 8:19 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 8:19 mean?

Jeremiah 8:19 describes the people of Judah crying out in distress because of suffering and exile, questioning whether God is still present in Zion and why He seems distant. God responds by pointing out that their worship of idols and worthless things has provoked His anger.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking about the pain of his people as they face consequences for turning away from God. The people’s cry comes from being far from their homeland, and they wonder if God has abandoned them. God’s answer makes clear that their own actions—specifically, idol worship—are the reason for their trouble, not God’s absence.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 8:19

  • "Cry" (שַׁוְעַת, shav'at): This word means a loud, desperate call for help, showing the deep anguish and urgency of the people’s situation.
  • "Images" (פֶּסֶל, pesel): This refers to carved idols, highlighting that the people have turned to physical objects for worship instead of the true God.
  • "Vanities" (הֶבֶל, hevel): This word means emptiness or things that are worthless, emphasizing that the idols and foreign practices the people followed have no real value or power.

Why Jeremiah 8:19 matters

  • Jeremiah 8:19 clarifies that the suffering of the people is not because God has abandoned them, but because they have chosen to worship idols and empty things.
  • The verse highlights the deep emotional pain and confusion of the people, showing how turning away from God leads to a sense of distance and loss.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage by showing the consequences of unfaithfulness and the heartbreak it brings, both to the people and to God.

Where else these words appear

“cry” Hebrew H7775 · used in 11 verses

  • Exodus 2:23 And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.
  • Psalms 18:6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.
  • Psalms 40:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

“far” Hebrew H4801 · used in 18 verses

  • 2 Samuel 15:17 And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.
  • Isaiah 10:3 And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?
  • Jeremiah 4:16 Make ye mention to the nations; behold, publish against Jerusalem, that watchers come from a far country, and give out their voice against the cities of Judah.

“images” Hebrew H6456 · used in 23 verses

  • Deuteronomy 7:5 But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire.
  • 2 Chronicles 33:22 But he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as did Manasseh his father: for Amon sacrificed unto all the carved images which Manasseh his father had made, and served them;
  • Isaiah 30:22 Ye shall defile also the covering of thy graven images of silver, and the ornament of thy molten images of gold: thou shalt cast them away as a menstruous cloth; thou shalt say unto it, Get thee hence.

“strange” Hebrew H5236 · used in 35 verses

  • Genesis 17:12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
  • 1 Samuel 7:3 And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.
  • Psalms 144:7 Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children;