Jeremiah 14:22 Meaning and Explanation
“Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O LORD our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Only God controls the rain and heavens; the idols of other nations cannot help; so the people place their hope in God alone.
The Context of Jeremiah 14:22
The people conclude that only God controls the rain; they resolve to trust in Him alone.
What Does Jeremiah 14:22 Mean?
The final petition turns to the source of the original problem—the drought. No idol among the pagan nations can bring rain. The heavens alone give showers, and they are not subject to human command or to false gods. This affirmation rules out all alternatives. The people acknowledge that if anyone can break the drought, it is God alone.
By confessing God as Creator ('thou hast made all these things'), the people align themselves with truth. They declare their intent to 'wait upon thee'—to trust God despite continued suffering. This conclusion moves from lamentation through confession to renewed trust. It affirms that hope belongs with the true God, not with false prophets or idle gods.
Jeremiah 14:22 in the Original Language
vanities (הֶבֶל), 'vanities' — idols and worthless things; literally 'vapor' or 'breath,' emptiness.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 14:22
What does Jeremiah 14:22 mean?
Only God controls the rain and heavens; the idols of other nations cannot help; so the people place their hope in God alone.
What is the context of Jeremiah 14:22?
The people conclude that only God controls the rain; they resolve to trust in Him alone.