Jeremiah 18:14

Translations

Modern

Does the snow of Lebanon ever leave its rocky slopes? Or do its cool waters flowing from a distance ever run dry?

Traditional

Will a man leave the snow of Lebanon which cometh from the rock of the field? or shall the cold flowing waters that come from another place be forsaken?

Literal

Does it leave its rocky slopes—the snow of Lebanon? Or from a distance be forsaken the cold flowing waters?

Latin

Numquid deficiet de petra agri nix Libani? aut evelli possunt aquæ erumpentes frigidæ, et defluentes?

Original

Hebrew

English

Does the snow of Lebanon ever leave its rocky slopes? Or do its cool waters flowing from a distance ever run dry?

Notes

Jeremiah 18:14–15

The answer to these two rhetorical questions was “No.” The snow and streams of the mountaintops of Lebanon were always reliable. In contrast, the Lord’s people were not reliable.
The ancient highways represented a life of faithfulness to the covenant (Jeremiah 6:16), while the muddy paths symbolized a life of self-serving paganism.

Jeremiah 18:13–17

The Lord said he would scatter his people because they left him.

Theme notes and profiles

Apostasy and Renewal The Lord of Nations