Jeremiah 2:18
And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river?
Original Language Analysis
וְעַתָּ֗ה
H6258
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
2 of 15
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
לְדֶ֣רֶךְ
And now what hast thou to do in the way
H1870
לְדֶ֣רֶךְ
And now what hast thou to do in the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
4 of 15
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
מֵ֥י
the waters
H4325
מֵ֥י
the waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
7 of 15
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
וּמַה
H4100
וּמַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
9 of 15
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
לְדֶ֣רֶךְ
And now what hast thou to do in the way
H1870
לְדֶ֣רֶךְ
And now what hast thou to do in the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
11 of 15
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
אַשּׁ֔וּר
of Assyria
H804
אַשּׁ֔וּר
of Assyria
Strong's:
H804
Word #:
12 of 15
ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire
Cross References
Joshua 13:3From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:Isaiah 31:1Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!Jeremiah 2:36Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way? thou also shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast ashamed of Assyria.Hosea 7:11Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria.
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
Questioning Israel's political alliances with Egypt and Assyria/Babylon reveals the futility of seeking security through foreign powers rather than trusting God as the true source of protection and provision.