Jeremiah 14:22

14:22 Do any of the worthless idols ¹  of the nations cause rain to fall?

Do the skies themselves send showers?

Is it not you, O Lord our God, who does this? ² 

So we put our hopes in you ³ 

because you alone do all this.”

Jeremiah 38:19

38:19 Then King Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, “I am afraid of the Judeans who have deserted to the Babylonians. ⁴  The Babylonians might hand me over to them and they will torture me.” ⁵ 

[14:22]  ¹ tn The word הֶבֶל (hevel), often translated “vanities”, is a common pejorative epithet for idols or false gods. See already in 8:19 and 10:8.

[14:22]  ² tn Heb “Is it not you, O Lord our God?” The words “who does” are supplied in the translation for English style.

[14:22]  ³ tn The rhetorical negatives are balanced by a rhetorical positive.

[38:19]  ⁴ tn Heb “Chaldeans.” See the study note on 21:4 for explanation.

[38:19]  ⁵ tn Or “and they will badly abuse me.” For the usage of this verb in the situation presupposed see Judg 19:25 and 1 Sam 31:4.