Jeremiah 2:25
Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst: but thou saidst, There is no hope: no; for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go.
Original Language Analysis
מִנְעִ֤י
Withhold
H4513
מִנְעִ֤י
Withhold
Strong's:
H4513
Word #:
1 of 13
to debar (negatively or positively) from benefit or injury
רַגְלֵךְ֙
thy foot
H7272
רַגְלֵךְ֙
thy foot
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
2 of 13
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
נוֹאָ֔שׁ
There is no hope
H2976
נוֹאָ֔שׁ
There is no hope
Strong's:
H2976
Word #:
7 of 13
to desist, i.e., (figuratively) to despond
ל֕וֹא
H3808
ל֕וֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
9 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אָהַ֥בְתִּי
no for I have loved
H157
אָהַ֥בְתִּי
no for I have loved
Strong's:
H157
Word #:
10 of 13
to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)
זָרִ֖ים
strangers
H2114
זָרִ֖ים
strangers
Strong's:
H2114
Word #:
11 of 13
to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery
Cross References
Deuteronomy 32:16They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger.Jeremiah 18:12And they said, There is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart.Jeremiah 3:13Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD.Isaiah 2:6Therefore thou hast forsaken thy people the house of Jacob, because they be replenished from the east, and are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they please themselves in the children of strangers.Isaiah 57:10Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way; yet saidst thou not, There is no hope: thou hast found the life of thine hand; therefore thou wast not grieved.Jeremiah 13:22And if thou say in thine heart, Wherefore come these things upon me? For the greatness of thine iniquity are thy skirts discovered, and thy heels made bare.Jeremiah 14:10Thus saith the LORD unto this people, Thus have they loved to wander, they have not refrained their feet, therefore the LORD doth not accept them; he will now remember their iniquity, and visit their sins.Romans 8:24For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?Deuteronomy 28:48Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.Lamentations 4:4The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the young children ask bread, and no man breaketh it unto them.
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
Warning against pursuing idols until worn out and thirsty, yet Israel refuses, declaring love for strangers and determination to follow them. Addiction to idolatry overrides reason and restraint.