Jeremiah 2:20
For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מֵעוֹלָ֞ם
For of old time
H5769
מֵעוֹלָ֞ם
For of old time
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
2 of 21
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
עֻלֵּ֗ךְ
thy yoke
H5923
עֻלֵּ֗ךְ
thy yoke
Strong's:
H5923
Word #:
4 of 21
a yoke (as imposed on the neck), literally or figuratively
מֽוֹסְרוֹתַ֔יִךְ
thy bands
H4147
מֽוֹסְרוֹתַ֔יִךְ
thy bands
Strong's:
H4147
Word #:
6 of 21
properly, chastisement, i.e., (by implication) a halter; figuratively, restraint
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אֶעֱב֑דֹ
I will not transgress
H5674
אֶעֱב֑דֹ
I will not transgress
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
9 of 21
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
10 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עַֽל
H5921
עַֽל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
12 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
גְּבֹהָ֗ה
when upon every high
H1364
גְּבֹהָ֗ה
when upon every high
Strong's:
H1364
Word #:
14 of 21
elevated (or elated), powerful, arrogant
וְתַ֙חַת֙
H8478
וְתַ֙חַת֙
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
15 of 21
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
16 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
רַעֲנָ֔ן
and under every green
H7488
רַעֲנָ֔ן
and under every green
Strong's:
H7488
Word #:
18 of 21
verdant; by analogy, new; figuratively, prosperous
Cross References
Deuteronomy 12:2Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree:Leviticus 26:13I am the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright.Jeremiah 17:2Whilst their children remember their altars and their groves by the green trees upon the high hills.Isaiah 1:21How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.Jeremiah 30:8For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him:Hosea 3:3And I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for another man: so will I also be for thee.
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
Despite God breaking their yoke in the Exodus and their initial pledge of obedience, Israel worshipped at pagan high places and under sacred trees, playing the harlot in spiritual adultery.