Jeremiah 14:17 Meaning and Explanation
“Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jeremiah is to tell the people that he weeps constantly for them, as their nation is shattered by a terrible wound.
The Context of Jeremiah 14:17
Jeremiah is commanded to visibly mourn for his shattered people.
What Does Jeremiah 14:17 Mean?
God commands Jeremiah to communicate through his own emotional witness. The weeping is unceasing ('night and day') and uncontrollable ('let them not cease'), expressing the depth of loss. 'The virgin daughter of my people' is a tender image for Judah—once pure and whole, now broken by a 'great breach.' The national trauma is imaged as a catastrophic wound.
Jeremiah becomes the embodiment of God's grief over judgment. His tears are not weakness but prophetic testimony to the reality of what is happening. By sharing in the sorrow, he validates both the people's pain and the necessity of the judgment. His role is not to comfort falsely but to witness truthfully.
Jeremiah 14:17 in the Original Language
breach (שֵׁבֶר), 'breach' or 'breaking' — a fracture or violent wound to the body.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 14:17
What does Jeremiah 14:17 mean?
Jeremiah is to tell the people that he weeps constantly for them, as their nation is shattered by a terrible wound.
What is the context of Jeremiah 14:17?
Jeremiah is commanded to visibly mourn for his shattered people.