Reference

Jeremiah 5:14

Literal FulfillmentFire ImageryDestruction / Perishing LanguageProphetic Methods of Communication
“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.”
12

They have belied the Lord, and said, It is not he; neither shall evil come upon us; neither shall we see sword nor famine:

13

And the prophets shall become wind, and the word is not in them: thus shall it be done unto them.

14

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.

15

Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the Lord: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say.

16

Their quiver is as an open sepulchre, they are all mighty men.

Why This Verse Was Tagged

Literal Fulfillment
Keyword Match
80% relevance

This verse contains specific terms directly associated with this theme.

Fire Imagery
Keyword Match
100% relevance

This verse contains specific terms directly associated with this theme.

Destruction / Perishing Language
Keyword Match
90% relevance

This verse contains specific terms directly associated with this theme.

Prophetic Methods of Communication
Keyword Match
70% relevance

This verse contains specific terms directly associated with this theme.

Counter-Arguments

The strongest case that this verse does not belong in this theme.

Literal Fulfillment

While the imagery is vivid, the "fire" and "wood" could be interpreted metaphorically, representing the destructive power of God's word against a rebellious people, rather than a literal conflagration.

Fire Imagery

There is no argument that this verse does not support the theme, as it explicitly uses "fire" in a context of judgment and destruction ("devour them").

Destruction / Perishing Language

The previous counter-argument is weak. The verse explicitly uses "devour" in reference to the people, which directly aligns with the "Destruction / Perishing Language" theme and its definition. The metaphorical language strengthens, rather than weakens, the depiction of their destruction.

Prophetic Methods of Communication

This verse describes the *effect* of the prophet's words on the people, rather than the *method* by which God communicated those words to the prophet in the first place.

Literal Fulfillment
Literal Fulfillment

Cross-References

Jeremiah 1:9Thematic

“Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.”

Jeremiah 23:29Thematic

“Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?”

Jeremiah 23:29Thematic

“Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?”

Revelation 11:5Thematic

“And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.”

Jeremiah 1:9Thematic

“Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.”

5 more cross-references available — Upgrade to Scholar

Thematic Connections

Literal FulfillmentFire ImageryDestruction / Perishing LanguageProphetic Methods of Communication

Private Study Note