Translations
Modern
You people of this generation, consider the word of the LORD: “Have I been a wilderness to Israel or a land of dense darkness? Why do My people say, ‘We are free to roam; we will come to You no more’?
Traditional
O generation, see ye the word of the Lord. Have I been a wilderness unto Israel? a land of darkness? wherefore say my people, We are lords; we will come no more unto thee?
Literal
“O generation, consider you the word of YHWH. “Have I been a wilderness to Israel, or a land of darkness? Why do My people say, ‘We are lords; we will not come to You anymore?’
Latin
…generatio vestra. Videte verbum Domini: numquid solitudo factus sum Israëli, aut terra serotina? quare ergo dixit populus meus: Recessimus; non veniemus ultra ad te?
Original
Hebrew
English
You people of this generation, consider the word of the LORD: “Have I been a wilderness to Israel or a land of dense darkness? Why do My people say, ‘We are free to roam; we will come to You no more’?
Notes
The Lord's anger became a plea. He asked why the Israelites saw life in obedience to him as a barren wasteland of death and lack (Numbers 21:5), filled with evil and the fear of darkness (Job 24:17; 1 John 1:5–6).
Israel did not act like a loyal wife. Instead, she acted like:
A wild animal in heat (Jeremiah 2:23–25)
A thief (Jeremiah 2:26–30)
A prostitute (Jeremiah 2:31–3:5)
Theme notes and profiles
Events
- Prophecies of Jeremiahc. 628 BC
Parallels
People
Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes
Glossary
Book of Jeremiah Courts and Trials Desert Jeremiah (Person) Sexual Immorality
Topics
Backsliders: Backsliding of Israel Church: Backslidden Deserts: What Affords No Support Infidelity: General Scriptures Concerning Ingratitude of Man to God Ingratitude to God: Unreasonable