Jeremiah 2:14
Is Israel a servant? is he a homeborn slave? why is he spoiled?
Original Language Analysis
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
Is Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
Is Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
2 of 9
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
3 of 9
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
בַּ֖יִת
is he a homeborn
H1004
בַּ֖יִת
is he a homeborn
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
5 of 9
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
ה֑וּא
H1931
ה֑וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
6 of 9
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
מַדּ֖וּעַ
slave why
H4069
מַדּ֖וּעַ
slave why
Strong's:
H4069
Word #:
7 of 9
what (is) known?; i.e., (by implication) (adverbially) why?
Cross References
Exodus 4:22And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:Isaiah 50:1Thus saith the LORD, Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.Ecclesiastes 2:7I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me:Genesis 15:3And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.
Historical Context
This verse from Jeremiah 2 continues God's covenant lawsuit against Judah, delivered during the late 7th century BC as the nation spiraled toward Babylonian exile. The prophetic indictment addresses systematic idolatry, failed political alliances, and spiritual adultery that characterized Judah from Manasseh through Jehoiakim's reigns. Archaeological evidence confirms widespread syncretistic worship practices condemned here.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this accusation against ancient Israel reveal patterns of spiritual unfaithfulness that might appear in different forms today?
- What does God's persistent lawsuit demonstrate about His desire for His people's return versus immediate judgment?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Rhetorical questions about Israel's status as servant or slave highlight the irony—God freed them from Egypt, yet they became plunder through voluntary apostasy. They enslaved themselves by forsaking divine protection.