Jeremiah 2:22
For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much sope, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord GOD.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
2 of 13
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
תְּכַבְּסִי֙
For though thou wash
H3526
תְּכַבְּסִי֙
For though thou wash
Strong's:
H3526
Word #:
3 of 13
to trample; hence, to wash (properly, by stamping with the feet), whether literal (including the fulling process) or figurative
בַּנֶּ֔תֶר
thee with nitre
H5427
בַּנֶּ֔תֶר
thee with nitre
Strong's:
H5427
Word #:
4 of 13
mineral potash (so called from effervescing with acid)
נִכְתָּ֤ם
is marked
H3799
נִכְתָּ֤ם
is marked
Strong's:
H3799
Word #:
8 of 13
properly, to carve or engrave, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe indelibly
לְפָנַ֔י
before
H6440
לְפָנַ֔י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
10 of 13
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
Cross References
Jeremiah 17:1The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars;Job 14:17My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquity.Hosea 13:12The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is hid.Psalms 130:3If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?Jeremiah 16:17For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes.Amos 8:7The LORD hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works.
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
Even washing with lye and soap cannot remove guilt's stain—external purification rituals are powerless against sin's deep corruption. Only God can cleanse what human effort cannot fix.