Jeremiah 8:19 Meaning and Explanation
“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?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Judah cries out in distress, questioning God's presence while having provoked Him through idolatry.
The Context of Jeremiah 8:19
Jerusalem's anguished cry, acknowledging their idolatry as the cause of God's withdrawal.
What Does Jeremiah 8:19 Mean?
The 'daughter of my people' cries out—Jerusalem personified in desperate agony. From exile or under siege, the people ask: 'Is not the LORD in Zion? Is not her king in her?'—a wailing question whether God still dwells among them. Where is the protection promised to David's line?
Yet the answer follows immediately: they provoked God 'with their graven images, and with strange vanities.' The cry is just—God is present—but it comes from a people who abandoned Him for idols. Their anguish is real, but it stems from their own rebellion, not God's absence.
Jeremiah 8:19 in the Original Language
pesel (פֶּסֶל), 'graven images'—carved idols that violate the second commandment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 8:19
What does Jeremiah 8:19 mean?
Judah cries out in distress, questioning God's presence while having provoked Him through idolatry.
What is the context of Jeremiah 8:19?
Jerusalem's anguished cry, acknowledging their idolatry as the cause of God's withdrawal.