Saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us.
Read it in contextIsrael's Unfaithfulness and Idolatry
Start reading at Jeremiah 2:1 (Jeremiah 2:1 to Jeremiah 2:37).
The entire chapter 2 forms a cohesive prophetic discourse from the LORD concerning Israel's apostasy.
2:1Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
2:2Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown.
2:3Israel was holiness unto the LORD, and the firstfruits of his increase: all that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, saith the LORD.
2:4Hear ye the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel:
2:5Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?
2:6Neither said they, Where is the LORD that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought, and of the shadow of death, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt?
2:7And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination.
2:8The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.
2:9Wherefore I will yet plead with you, saith the LORD, and with your children's children will I plead.
2:10For pass over the isles of Chittim, and see; and send unto Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there be such a thing.
2:11Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.
2:12Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD.
2:13For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
2:14Is Israel a servant? is he a homeborn slave? why is he spoiled?
2:15The young lions roared upon him, and yelled, and they made his land waste: his cities are burned without inhabitant.
2:16Also the children of Noph and Tahapanes have broken the crown of thy head.
2:17Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, when he led thee by the way?
2:18And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river?
2:19Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.
2:20For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot.
2:21Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?
2:22For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord GOD.
2:23How canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim? see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done: thou art a swift dromedary traversing her ways;
2:24A wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure; in her occasion who can turn her away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her.
2:25Withhold 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.
2:26As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets,
2:27Saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us.
2:28But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.
2:29Wherefore will ye plead with me? ye all have transgressed against me, saith the LORD.
2:30In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.
2:31O 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?
2:32Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.
2:33Why trimmest thou thy way to seek love? therefore hast thou also taught the wicked ones thy ways.
2:34Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these.
2:35Yet thou sayest, Because I am innocent, surely his anger shall turn from me. Behold, I will plead with thee, because thou sayest, I have not sinned.
2:36Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way? thou also shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast ashamed of Assyria.
2:37Yea, thou shalt go forth from him, and thine hands upon thine head: for the LORD hath rejected thy confidences, and thou shalt not prosper in them.
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Who
Who wrote the book? Jeremiah son of Hilkiah is the prophet behind the book, with Baruch serving as his scribe. The complete collection includes narrative and a historical appendix as well as Jeremiah's dictated words. Biblical references: Jeremiah 1:1; Jeremiah 36:4; Jeremiah 36:32. stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Jeremiah 2:1–6:30): Jeremiah addresses Jerusalem, Judah, and the house of Israel concerning covenant unfaithfulness and approaching judgment. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Judah and Jerusalem before and during the Babylonian crisis, exiles in Babylon, and later readers of the preserved prophetic collection. Individual oracles name additional recipients. Biblical references: Jeremiah 2:2; Jeremiah 29:1; Jeremiah 46:1. stated in the text
What
What is the main event or theme? The main theme of this passage is the LORD's lament and rebuke against Israel for their profound unfaithfulness and idolatry, comparing their turning away from Him to spiritual harlotry and forsaking the "fountain of living waters" for "broken cisterns."
What is God revealing? God is revealing the depth of Israel's idolatry, where they attribute parenthood and creation to inanimate objects like "a stock" and "a stone." He also reveals their hypocrisy in turning their backs on Him in times of prosperity, yet crying out to Him for salvation in times of trouble.
What is the literary style? The literary style is a prophetic lament, rebuke, and warning, characterized by vivid imagery, rhetorical questions, and direct address from the LORD to His people.
When
When was it written? The book of Jeremiah was written approximately 626 to 580 B.C.
When does the event take place? The events described in this passage occur approximately 626 to 580 B.C., reflecting the period of Judah's spiritual decline and impending exile.
Where
Where did it happen? The spiritual apostasy and idolatry described in the passage occurred in Judah.
Where was the author located? Jeremiah was located in Judah, and later in Egypt.
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Israel's Unfaithfulness and Idolatry (Jeremiah 2:1 to Jeremiah 2:37).
Start reading at Jeremiah 2:1. The entire chapter 2 forms a cohesive prophetic discourse from the LORD concerning Israel's apostasy.
How
How does it fit the broader context? Jeremiah 2:27 serves as a poignant illustration of the central theme of chapter 2, which details Israel's unfaithfulness and idolatry. It highlights the stark contrast between their abandonment of the LORD for false gods and their desperate, yet hypocritical, plea for His salvation when trouble inevitably arises, directly following the description of their shame in verse 26.
How does it point to Christ? This passage illustrates humanity's inherent tendency to turn from the one true God to vain confidences and then, when faced with the consequences, to cry out for a deliverer. Christ is the one whom God provided as the way to salvation and deliverance, demonstrating the true power to save that idols lack. He is the one who can truly 'Arise, and save us' when all other hopes fail. interpretation
How do I apply it today? Today, this passage calls believers to worship the one true God alone and to not seek ultimate help, satisfaction, or security from anything or anyone else. When facing difficulties, one should turn to God in genuine repentance and faith, rather than treating Him as a last resort after pursuing other vain hopes or idols.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Jeremiah 2
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Jeremiah records words associated with his prophetic ministry and accounts surrounding Judah's fall. The book is not arranged as one continuous dated diary. Read each oracle's audience, occasion, and conditions rather than assigning every promise to every reader. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Oracles and enacted signs expose covenant unfaithfulness and the coming judgment, including the warning about Babylon.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. Oracles and enacted signs expose covenant unfaithfulness and the coming judgment, including the warning about Babylon.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Jeremiah
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Jeremiah records words associated with his prophetic ministry and accounts surrounding Judah's fall. The book is not arranged as one continuous dated diary. Read each oracle's audience, occasion, and conditions rather than assigning every promise to every reader.
Connection to the wholeNarratives and letters contrast competing claims about the LORD's word and address life under Babylonian power, including the exiles' situation.
Connection to the wholeWords of restoration appear amid announced judgment, including the new covenant promise; their wording and named audience must remain visible.
Connection to the wholeThe accounts follow conflicts around the prophetic word, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the choices of survivors, with a word to Baruch.
Connection to the wholeThe historical appendix recounts the disaster and closes with Jehoiachin's release, placing the preceding messages beside their historical aftermath.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.