8:14

Some versions, such as the Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version, make this verse a separate paragraph. The notes will follow most versions and make 8:14 the last verse of 8:11–14. You may do whatever is more natural in your language.

8:14a–b

These lines describe another sin that the LORD will judge. The people trusted in palaces and fortified towns instead of trusting in the LORD who made them. Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

14a
Israel has forgotten his Maker and built palaces;

14b
Judah has multiplied its fortified cities.

The parallelism implies that the people in both Israel and Judah have “forgotten” their “Maker.” It also implies that both groups of people “built palaces” and “multiplied its fortified cities.”

Maker: This word implies here that the LORD made the people into a nation. In some languages, it may be helpful to make this information explicit. For example:

the one who made it/them ⌊into a nation ⌋

and built palaces: The word palaces refers here to the residences of the kings. Palaces were also fortified.

Judah has multiplied its fortified cities: The phrase multiplied its fortified cities means that the people built thick stone walls around the towns to protect them from enemy attacks.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Judah has built many strong, walled cities. (New Century Version)
-or-
Judah has many cities with sturdy walls around them

8:14c–d

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

14c But I will send fire upon their cities,

14d and it will consume their citadels.

These lines describe the way that the LORD will judge the people. He will “send fire” to destroy the strong walls and palaces that the people depended on to protect them.

But: Verse 14c begins with a conjunction that contrasts the people’s efforts to protect their cities (14a–b) with the fact that the LORD will destroy those cities. Introduce this verse part in a way that indicates this contrast in your language.

I will send fire upon their cities, and it will consume their citadels: These parallel clauses mean that the LORD will send enemy armies to set fire to the cities. The fire will destroy them, including the citadels (fortified palaces).

General Comment on 8:14a–d

In some languages, it may be more natural to reorder and/or combine the parallel parts. For example:

14a Israel, I created you, but you forgot me. 14a–b You and Judah built palaces and many strong cities. 14c–d Now I will send fire to destroy your towns and fortresses. (Contemporary English Version)

See also 8:14a–b, 8:14c–d, and 8:14a–d (combined/reordered) in the Display.

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