Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 14:3. It’s a pretty serious warning about a specific group of people in ancient Israel. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Core Story: “Their nobles have sent their little ones to the waters…” – This refers to the wealthy and powerful leaders of Israel, specifically the priestly class (the nobles). They were sending children – likely young men – to the Jordan River. “…they came to the pits.” – Now, this is where it gets interesting. The “pits” are not literal holes in the riverbed. Instead, they represent a place of deep, dark, and often dangerous areas within the riverbanks that were considered cursed and avoided. It was believed to be a place of spiritual impurity. “[and] found no water.” – The children went to these areas, but there wasn't any water to be found. They were completely unsuccessful. “They returned with their vessels empty.” – This means they left without anything valuable or useful. Their boats or containers were full of nothing. “They were ashamed and confounded…” - This highlights a sense of deep distress and fear. Being rejected and lacking something essential shows immense shame and worry. “…and covered their heads.” – They instinctively withdrew, covering their heads as a sign of shame and fear, indicating they felt deeply unworthy or exposed. The Overall Meaning & Significance: Jeremiah is writing to King Josiah, urging him to consider the behavior of these nobles. He’s warning that this group was engaging in a dangerous and spiritually corrupt practice: they were exploiting the land and its resources by venturing into places of spiritual impurity. What it's saying – A Warning about Leadership: The verse suggests that those in power, especially those who are detached from God and focused on their own wealth and comfort, can be incredibly careless and destructive. Their actions—sending children to dangerous places—are a sign of moral failing and a potential threat to the entire nation. In short, it’s a warning about the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of spiritual responsibility. It's suggesting that those in leadership need to be mindful of their actions and their impact on the people they govern. --- Would you like me to: Explain another part of the verse? Discuss the context of this passage within the larger story of Jeremiah’s prophecies?