Jeremiah 5:14 Meaning and Explanation
“Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God tells Jeremiah that His words will become fire consuming the people who reject them, like fire consuming wood.
The Context of Jeremiah 5:14
God empowers Jeremiah, promising that His words in the prophet's mouth will become fire that consumes the resistant people.
What Does Jeremiah 5:14 Mean?
God directly addresses Jeremiah and empowers him for his prophetic mission. Despite the people's rejection, God will place His words in Jeremiah's mouth, and those words will become fire. This metaphor transforms the prophet's message from something the people can dismiss as wind into an active, consuming force. Fire is a biblical symbol of God's judgment, purifying what is worthy and destroying what is worthless.
The people are likened to wood—fuel for the fire of God's word. Because they have rejected truth and hardened themselves against correction, God's judgment will consume them. This is not arbitrary punishment but the natural consequence of rejecting God's word. Jeremiah's role is crucial: he becomes the vessel through which God's word-fire speaks and judges. The commission gives Jeremiah authority and assurance that despite rejection, his message carries divine power.
Jeremiah 5:14 in the Original Language
esh (אֵשׁ), 'fire' — divine judgment, purification, and consuming power; here applied metaphorically to God's word.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 5:14
What does Jeremiah 5:14 mean?
God tells Jeremiah that His words will become fire consuming the people who reject them, like fire consuming wood.
What is the context of Jeremiah 5:14?
God empowers Jeremiah, promising that His words in the prophet's mouth will become fire that consumes the resistant people.