What does Jeremiah 2:13 mean?

"For 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." - Jeremiah 2:13

"For 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." - Jeremiah 2:13

Jeremiah 2:13 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "For 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."

This verse is part of a larger passage in which Jeremiah is chastising the people of Israel for their unfaithfulness and idolatry. In this particular verse, he uses the metaphor of "living waters" to represent the abundant blessings and sustenance that come from a relationship with God. The people of Israel, however, have forsaken this source of life and have instead turned to broken cisterns that cannot hold water, symbolizing their reliance on false gods and idols.

The imagery of "living waters" is a powerful one that is used throughout the Bible to represent the life-giving and sustaining power of God. In the Old Testament, water is often associated with God's provision and care for his people. For example, in the book of Exodus, when the Israelites are wandering in the desert, God provides water for them from a rock. In the New Testament, Jesus also uses the metaphor of living water to describe the spiritual nourishment that he offers to those who believe in him.

The contrast between the fountain of living waters and the broken cisterns highlights the foolishness and futility of turning away from God in search of fulfillment elsewhere. The people of Israel have chosen to rely on their own devices and the false promises of idols, only to find that these are inadequate and ultimately empty. This reflects a broader theme in the Bible of the consequences of turning away from God and seeking fulfillment in worldly things.

The language used in this verse is also significant. The choice of the word "forsaken" emphasizes the deliberate and willful nature of the people's betrayal of God. It suggests a deliberate turning away from their source of life and sustenance, in favor of something that ultimately leaves them empty and unsatisfied.

The imagery of broken cisterns further highlights the futility of the people's actions. A cistern is a man-made reservoir used for storing water, and if it is broken, it cannot fulfill its intended purpose. In a spiritual sense, the broken cisterns represent the idols and false gods that the people have turned to, hoping to find sustenance and satisfaction. But just as a broken cistern cannot hold water, these idols cannot provide the fulfillment and blessing that come from a relationship with God.

Overall, this verse serves as a powerful rebuke to the people of Israel for their unfaithfulness and serves as a warning to all believers about the dangers of turning away from God. It emphasizes the futility of seeking fulfillment in anything other than the source of living waters that is found in God. It also speaks to the broader themes of the consequences of sin and the need for repentance and restoration.

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Jeremiah 2:13 Artwork

Jeremiah 2:13 - "For 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."

Jeremiah 2:13 - "For 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."

Jeremiah 2:13 "For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns--broken cisterns that can hold no water.

Jeremiah 2:13 "For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns--broken cisterns that can hold no water.

"For 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." - Jeremiah 2:13

"For 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." - Jeremiah 2:13

Jeremiah 13:2 - "So I got a girdle according to the word of the LORD, and put it on my loins."

Jeremiah 13:2 - "So I got a girdle according to the word of the LORD, and put it on my loins."

Jeremiah 38:13 - "So they drew up Jeremiah with cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison."

Jeremiah 38:13 - "So they drew up Jeremiah with cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison."

Jeremiah 29:11-13

Jeremiah 29:11-13

Jeremiah 29:11-13

Jeremiah 29:11-13

Jeremiah 29:11-13

Jeremiah 29:11-13

Jeremiah 29:11-13

Jeremiah 29:11-13

Jeremiah 13:23

Jeremiah 13:23

"So I got a girdle according to the word of the LORD, and put it on my loins." - Jeremiah 13:2

"So I got a girdle according to the word of the LORD, and put it on my loins." - Jeremiah 13:2

Jeremiah 38:1–13

Jeremiah 38:1–13

Jeremiah 46:13 - "¶ The word that the LORD spake to Jeremiah the prophet, how Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon should come and smite the land of Egypt."

Jeremiah 46:13 - "¶ The word that the LORD spake to Jeremiah the prophet, how Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon should come and smite the land of Egypt."

1 Chronicles 12:13 - "Jeremiah the tenth, Machbanai the eleventh."

1 Chronicles 12:13 - "Jeremiah the tenth, Machbanai the eleventh."

Jeremiah 32:13 - "¶ And I charged Baruch before them, saying,"

Jeremiah 32:13 - "¶ And I charged Baruch before them, saying,"

Jeremiah 13:8 - "Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"

Jeremiah 13:8 - "Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"

Jeremiah 13:15 - "¶ Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken."

Jeremiah 13:15 - "¶ Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken."

Jeremiah 13:5 - "So I went, and hid it by Euphrates, as the LORD commanded me."

Jeremiah 13:5 - "So I went, and hid it by Euphrates, as the LORD commanded me."

Jeremiah 13:3 - "And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying,"

Jeremiah 13:3 - "And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying,"

Jeremiah 13:24 - "Therefore will I scatter them as the stubble that passeth away by the wind of the wilderness."

Jeremiah 13:24 - "Therefore will I scatter them as the stubble that passeth away by the wind of the wilderness."

Jeremiah 37:13 - "And when he was in the gate of Benjamin, a captain of the ward was there, whose name was Irijah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah; and he took Jeremiah the prophet, saying, Thou fallest away to the Chaldeans."

Jeremiah 37:13 - "And when he was in the gate of Benjamin, a captain of the ward was there, whose name was Irijah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah; and he took Jeremiah the prophet, saying, Thou fallest away to the Chaldeans."

"So they drew up Jeremiah with cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison." - Jeremiah 38:13

"So they drew up Jeremiah with cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison." - Jeremiah 38:13

Jeremiah 48:13 - "And Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh, as the house of Israel was ashamed of Beth-el their confidence."

Jeremiah 48:13 - "And Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh, as the house of Israel was ashamed of Beth-el their confidence."

Jeremiah 25:13 - "And I will bring upon that land all my words which I have pronounced against it, even all that is written in this book, which Jeremiah hath prophesied against all the nations."

Jeremiah 25:13 - "And I will bring upon that land all my words which I have pronounced against it, even all that is written in this book, which Jeremiah hath prophesied against all the nations."

Jeremiah 42:13 - "¶ But if ye say, We will not dwell in this land, neither obey the voice of the LORD your God,"

Jeremiah 42:13 - "¶ But if ye say, We will not dwell in this land, neither obey the voice of the LORD your God,"

Jeremiah 5:13 - "And the prophets shall become wind, and the word is not in them: thus shall it be done unto them."

Jeremiah 5:13 - "And the prophets shall become wind, and the word is not in them: thus shall it be done unto them."

Building a healthy relationship with yourself Jeremiah 29:11-13

Building a healthy relationship with yourself Jeremiah 29:11-13

Jeremiah 29:11-13 building a healthy relationship with yourself

Jeremiah 29:11-13 building a healthy relationship with yourself

Building a healthy relationship with yourself Jeremiah 29:11-13

Building a healthy relationship with yourself Jeremiah 29:11-13

Building a healthy relationship with yourself Jeremiah 29:11-13

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