Jeremiah 14:3

1 The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the dearth.

2 Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish; they are black unto the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up.

And their nobles have sent their little ones to the waters: they came to the pits, and found no water; they returned with their vessels empty; they were ashamed and confounded, and covered their heads.

4 Because the ground is chapt, for there was no rain in the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they covered their heads.

5 Yea, the hind also calved in the field, and forsook it, because there was no grass.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
The nobles send their servants for water; they go to the cisterns, but find no water; their jars return empty. They are ashamed and humiliated; they cover their heads.
KJV
And their nobles have sent their little ones to the waters: they came to the pits, and found no water; they returned with their vessels empty; they were ashamed and confounded, and covered their heads.
WEB
Their nobles send their little ones to the waters. They come to the cisterns, and find no water. They return with their vessels empty. They are disappointed and confounded, and cover their heads.
ASV
And their nobles send their little ones to the waters: they come to the cisterns, and find no water; they return with their vessels empty; they are put to shame and confounded, and cover their heads.
DARBY
And their nobles send their little ones for water: they come to the pits, they find no water; they return with their vessels empty; they are ashamed, they are confounded, and have covered their heads.
BLB
And their nobles have sent their young for water; they went to the cisterns, they did not find water. They returned with their vessels empty; they were ashamed and humiliated, and they covered their heads.
ÅB
De fornemme blant dem sender sine tjenere etter vann; de kommer til brønnene, men finner intet vann; deres kar vender tomme tilbake; de blir skuffet og nedslått og tilhyller sitt hode.
OTB
De fornemme sender sine tjenere etter vann; de går til brønnene, men finner ikke vann. De kommer tilbake med sine kar tomme, til skamme og ydmyket, de dekker sine hoder.
B1930
De fornemme blandt dem sender sine tjenere efter vann; de kommer til brønnene, men finner intet vann; deres kar vender tomme tilbake; de blir skuffet og nedslått og tilhyller sitt hode.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 2 Samuel 15:30

    And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 40:14

    Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.

    Read in context
  • 2 Kings 18:31

    Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me, and then eat ye every man of his own vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his cistern:

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 2:13

    For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

    Read in context
  • Amos 4:8

    So two or three cities wandered unto one city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 14:4

    Because the ground is chapt, for there was no rain in the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they covered their heads.

    Read in context
  • Esther 6:12

    And Mordecai came again to the king’s gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 2:26–27

    As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets,

    Read in context