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Book of Lamentations - Chapter 2 - Verse 14

2:14
Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity; but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment.

Meaning

This verse from the Book of Lamentations illustrates the disappointment of the people towards their prophets. The prophets were supposed to guide the people, reveal their sins, and help them turn away from their wrongdoings. However, in this case, the prophets failed in their duty. They were not able to accurately discern the sins of the people and provide the necessary guidance to turn away from captivity. Instead, they offered vain and foolish advice, false burdens, and caused banishment. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of having trustworthy and genuine spiritual leaders who can lead people towards righteousness. It also emphasizes the need for self-reflection and accountability among both the prophets and the people themselves.

Theological Overview

In this verse from the book of Lamentations, the prophet Jeremiah laments the actions of false prophets who had misled the people with their empty and foolish prophecies. The theologial interpretation of this verse is that the false prophets were not able to discern and address the sins of the people, which led to their captivity. Instead of revealing the true nature of their sins and urging them to repent, these false prophets provided misleading messages that only served to worsen the situation. The word "iniquity" here refers to the sinful actions of the people that had led to their downfall. The reference to "false burdens and causes of banishment" suggests that these prophets burdened the people with false messages and caused them to be exiled from their land. Overall, this verse serves as a warning against false prophets and the dangers of listening to deceptive teachings that do not lead to repentance and restoration.

American Standard Version

Thy prophets have seen for thee false and foolish visions; And they have not uncovered thine iniquity, to bring back thy captivity, But have seen for thee false oracles and causes of banishment.
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