What does Jeremiah 2:28 mean?
"But 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." - Jeremiah 2:28
Jeremiah 2:28 (KJV) states, "But 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."
This verse is part of a larger passage in which the prophet Jeremiah is rebuking the people of Judah for their idolatry and faithlessness. He is expressing his disappointment and frustration with the people, asking them to consider the futility of placing their trust in man-made gods that cannot save them.
The overarching theme of this verse is the folly of relying on false gods and the consequences of turning away from the one true God. The people of Judah had forsaken their covenant with the Lord and turned to worshipping idols made of wood and stone. Jeremiah is calling them out for their lack of faith and warning them of the impending judgment that will come as a result of their disobedience.
In the context of the larger passage, Jeremiah is using vivid and direct language to drive home the point that the people's trust in their idols is misplaced. He challenges them to call upon their gods to save them in their time of trouble, knowing full well that these idols are powerless and cannot offer any real help or protection. The use of rhetorical questions in this verse serves to highlight the absurdity of the people's actions and to confront them with the truth of their situation.
The symbolism in this verse is significant in that it exposes the emptiness of false gods and the consequences of turning away from the one true God. In referring to the "gods that thou hast made thee," Jeremiah is highlighting the people's role in creating their own idols and placing their trust in things of their own making rather than in the divine. The symbolism of these idols as representations of the people's waywardness and spiritual adultery reinforces the gravity of their sin and the severity of the judgment that will follow.
Furthermore, the mention of the "number of thy cities" in relation to the gods of Judah serves to emphasize the widespread nature of the people's idolatry. Their devotion to these false gods had permeated every aspect of their society, from the highest levels of leadership to the smallest towns and villages. This widespread infidelity to the Lord and the pervasive influence of idolatry underscore the depth of the people's rebellion and the urgency of Jeremiah's message.
In conclusion, Jeremiah 2:28 (KJV) is a poignant and forceful reminder of the dangers of forsaking the one true God and turning to false idols. Through vivid language, rhetorical questions, and powerful symbolism, Jeremiah challenges the people of Judah to recognize the futility of their actions and to turn back to the Lord before it is too late. This verse serves as a timeless warning against spiritual waywardness and a call to recommit to a faithful and obedient relationship with God.
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Jeremiah 2:28 - "But 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."
"But 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." - Jeremiah 2:28
Jeremiah 28:2 - "Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon."
Jeremiah 2:8 - "The 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."
Jeremiah 28:12 - "Then the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the prophet, after that Hananiah the prophet had broken the yoke from off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, saying,"
Jeremiah 38:28 - "So Jeremiah abode in the court of the prison until the day that Jerusalem was taken: and he was there when Jerusalem was taken."
Jeremiah 28:5 - "Then the prophet Jeremiah said unto the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests, and in the presence of all the people that stood in the house of the LORD,"
Jeremiah 28:10 - "Then Hananiah the prophet took the yoke from off the prophet Jeremiah's neck, and brake it."
Jeremiah 28:15 - "Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie."
Jeremiah 28:17 - "So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month."
"Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon." - Jeremiah 28:2
Jeremiah 6:28 - "They are all grievous revolters, walking with slanders: they are brass and iron; they are all corrupters."
Jeremiah 52:28-30 - "Jeremiah 52:28-30: 28 This is the people whom Nebuchadrezzar carried away captive: in the seventh year three thousand Jews and three and twenty: 29 In the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar he carried away captive from Jerusalem eight hundred thirty and two persons: 30 In the three and twentieth year of Nebuchadrezzar Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive of the Jews seven hundred forty and five persons: all the persons were four thousand and six hundred."
Jeremiah 28:7 - "Nevertheless hear thou now this word that I speak in thine ears, and in the ears of all the people;"
Jeremiah 52:28 - "This is the people whom Nebuchadrezzar carried away captive: in the seventh year three thousand Jews and three and twenty:"
Jeremiah 51:28 - "Prepare against her the nations with the kings of the Medes, the captains thereof, and all the rulers thereof, and all the land of his dominion."
Jeremiah 28:6 - "Even the prophet Jeremiah said, Amen: the LORD do so: the LORD perform thy words which thou hast prophesied, to bring again the vessels of the LORD'S house, and all that is carried away captive, from Babylon into this place."
Joel 2:28
Joel 2:28
Joel 2:28
"So Jeremiah abode in the court of the prison until the day that Jerusalem was taken: and he was there when Jerusalem was taken." - Jeremiah 38:28
Jeremiah 50:28 - "The voice of them that flee and escape out of the land of Babylon, to declare in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God, the vengeance of his temple."
Jeremiah 48:28 - "O ye that dwell in Moab, leave the cities, and dwell in the rock, and be like the dove that maketh her nest in the sides of the hole's mouth."
"Then the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the prophet, after that Hananiah the prophet had broken the yoke from off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, saying," - Jeremiah 28:12
Jeremiah 28:11 - "And Hananiah spake in the presence of all the people, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Even so will I break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon from the neck of all nations within the space of two full years. And the prophet Jeremiah went his way."
Jeremiah 5:28 - "They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge."
Jeremiah 32:28 - "Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the Chaldeans, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and he shall take it:"
"Then the prophet Jeremiah said unto the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests, and in the presence of all the people that stood in the house of the LORD," - Jeremiah 28:5
Jeremiah 28:13 - "Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast broken the yokes of wood; but thou shalt make for them yokes of iron."
Jeremiah 28:9 - "The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him."