ירמיהו, פרק י״ד, פסוק ג׳

A severe drought spares no one, reaching even the highest levels of society. The most powerful people, the ministers, and the wealthy leaders of Judah find themselves in a desperate situation. Unable to simply buy water with money, these leaders are forced to send their lower-status servants and young boys out to search for something to drink [רד״ק, מלבי״ם, מצודת ציון, שטיינזלץ].

The messengers leave the city, heading toward the deep pits, crevices, and trenches where rainwater naturally gathers [רש״י, רד״ק, מלבי״ם]. However, the lack of rain leaves these natural reservoirs completely dry, offering nothing to collect [רש״י].

The outcome of this failed search is understood in two ways. The primary approach among commentators is that the messengers simply return to their masters carrying empty pitchers [רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. In contrast, a more tragic perspective suggests that the young servants themselves never make it back, having died of thirst during the journey. In this view, only their empty vessels are returned to the masters [מלבי״ם].

The failure to secure water brings a deep sense of disappointment and disgrace [מצודת דוד]. This emotional toll is twofold: there is an internal, personal sense of shame that a person feels within, as well as a profound humiliation experienced when facing others [מלבי״ם]. Overwhelmed by this sorrow, they cover their heads [רש״י, מצודת ציון]. This act serves as a clear sign of mourning over the devastating conditions, or, following the tragic interpretation, it is a specific expression of grief for the young servants who perished from thirst [מלבי״ם, שטיינזלץ].