Jeremiah 9:2
Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.
Original Language Analysis
מִֽי
H4310
מִֽי
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
1 of 15
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
יִתְּנֵ֣נִי
Oh that
H5414
יִתְּנֵ֣נִי
Oh that
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
2 of 15
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
בַמִּדְבָּ֗ר
I had in the wilderness
H4057
בַמִּדְבָּ֗ר
I had in the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
3 of 15
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
מְלוֹן֙
a lodging place
H4411
מְלוֹן֙
a lodging place
Strong's:
H4411
Word #:
4 of 15
a lodgment, i.e., caravanserai or encampment
וְאֶֽעֶזְבָה֙
that I might leave
H5800
וְאֶֽעֶזְבָה֙
that I might leave
Strong's:
H5800
Word #:
6 of 15
to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עַמִּ֔י
my people
H5971
עַמִּ֔י
my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
8 of 15
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וְאֵלְכָ֖ה
H1980
וְאֵלְכָ֖ה
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
9 of 15
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
מֵֽאִתָּ֑ם
H853
מֵֽאִתָּ֑ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
11 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כֻלָּם֙
H3605
כֻלָּם֙
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
12 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מְנָ֣אֲפִ֔ים
from them! for they be all adulterers
H5003
מְנָ֣אֲפִ֔ים
from them! for they be all adulterers
Strong's:
H5003
Word #:
13 of 15
to commit adultery; figuratively, to apostatize
Cross References
Jeremiah 23:10For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right.Hosea 4:2By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.Jeremiah 12:1Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?Jeremiah 12:6For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have dealt treacherously with thee; yea, they have called a multitude after thee: believe them not, though they speak fair words unto thee.Hosea 7:4They are all adulterers, as an oven heated by the baker, who ceaseth from raising after he hath kneaded the dough, until it be leavened.
Historical Context
Desert lodging places served travelers crossing wilderness regions, providing minimal shelter. Jeremiah's desire for such isolation reflects the psychological burden of living among people whose sin he must constantly denounce. Moses similarly expressed exhaustion with his people (Numbers 11:11-15). The combination of spiritual adultery (idolatry) with literal sexual immorality characterized Canaanite fertility religion that had corrupted Judah.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Jeremiah's desire to escape reveal about the emotional toll of ministry in a corrupt culture?
- How do we balance the legitimate need for rest and solitude with our calling to remain engaged in difficult ministry?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This verse reveals Jeremiah's conflicted desire: 'Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men.' The Hebrew malon orchim (מְלוֹן אֹרְחִים) is a travelers' lodge—a simple shelter in the desert. 'That I might leave my people, and go from them!' expresses desire to escape prophetic burden. The reason follows: 'for they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.' 'Adulterers' (mena'aphim, מְנָאֲפִים) applies both literally (sexual immorality) and spiritually (idolatry). 'Assembly of treacherous' (atzeret bogedim, עֲצֶרֶת בֹּגְדִים) describes a gathering of traitors—those who betrayed covenant with God and faithfulness to one another. Jeremiah wishes to flee corrupt society for solitary wilderness—yet his calling prevents escape.