Jeremiah 2:33
Why trimmest thou thy way to seek love? therefore hast thou also taught the wicked ones thy ways.
Original Language Analysis
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
1 of 12
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
תֵּיטִ֥בִי
Why trimmest
H3190
תֵּיטִ֥בִי
Why trimmest
Strong's:
H3190
Word #:
2 of 12
to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)
דְּרָכָֽיִךְ׃
thou thy way
H1870
דְּרָכָֽיִךְ׃
thou thy way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
3 of 12
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
לְבַקֵּ֣שׁ
to seek
H1245
לְבַקֵּ֣שׁ
to seek
Strong's:
H1245
Word #:
4 of 12
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
לָכֵן֙
H3651
לָכֵן֙
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
6 of 12
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
גַּ֣ם
H1571
גַּ֣ם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
7 of 12
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לִמַּ֖דְתְּי
therefore hast thou also taught
H3925
לִמַּ֖דְתְּי
therefore hast thou also taught
Strong's:
H3925
Word #:
10 of 12
properly, to goad, i.e., (by implication) to teach (the rod being an middle eastern incentive)
Historical Context
This likely refers to Judah's political machinations with Egypt and Babylon during the late 7th century BC, attempting to secure military alliances through religious syncretism and diplomatic compromise.
Questions for Reflection
- How might your compromises with worldly values inadvertently 'teach' ungodly patterns to those observing your life?
- What does it mean to 'trim your way' in pursuit of security apart from God's promises?
- How should the church's witness to the nations inform our decisions about cultural engagement?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The prophet exposes Israel's calculated efforts to pursue foreign alliances and pagan practices. The verb 'trimmest' (Hebrew 'yatab') suggests deliberate beautification or improvement of one's path, indicating premeditated apostasy rather than mere spiritual drift. More gravely, Israel's covenant unfaithfulness has become a teaching example to pagan nations ('taught the wicked ones thy ways'), reversing their calling to be a light to the Gentiles. This illustrates how covenant breaking not only harms the individual but scandalizes God's name before the watching world.