John Gill Commentary Jeremiah 8:15

"We looked for peace, but no good came; [and] for a time of healing, and, behold, dismay!" — Jeremiah 8:15 (ASV)

We looked for peace. Outward prosperity, affluence of temporal blessings, peace with enemies, and safety from them, which the false prophets had given them reason to expect; or which last they concluded and hoped for, from their being in the defenced cities.

but no good came. They were disappointed in their expectation; the good that was promised them, and they looked for, never came, but all the reverse.

and for a time of health; or, of healing ^F12; the political wounds of the commonwealth of Israel: and behold trouble! or "terror" ^F13; at the approach of the enemy, described in the following verses.

The Targum is, "a time of pardon of offences, and, lo, a punishment of sins." Healing, in Scripture, signifies pardon of sin; see (Psalms 41:4) (103:3) .

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FOOTNOTES:

• F12: (hprm) "medelae, [vel] sanationis", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Schmidt.
• F13: (hteb) "terror", Pagninus, Montanus, Junius & Tremellius, Schmdit.