Jeremiah 2:11 kjv
Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.
Jeremiah 2:11 nkjv
Has a nation changed its gods, Which are not gods? But My people have changed their Glory For what does not profit.
Jeremiah 2:11 niv
Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But my people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols.
Jeremiah 2:11 esv
Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit.
Jeremiah 2:11 nlt
Has any nation ever traded its gods for new ones,
even though they are not gods at all?
Yet my people have exchanged their glorious God
for worthless idols!
Jeremiah 2 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 115:4-8 | Their idols are silver and gold... they have mouths, but do not speak... | Describes the impotence of idols. |
| Psa 135:15-18 | The idols of the nations are silver and gold... | Reiterates the vanity of man-made gods. |
| Isa 44:9-20 | All who fashion idols are nothing... their idols do not see or know... | Condemns idol makers and their useless creations. |
| Hab 2:18-19 | What profit is an idol when its maker has carved it...? | Echoes the "what does not profit" theme. |
| Jer 10:1-16 | The customs of the peoples are worthless... the Lord is the true God... | Contrasts lifeless idols with the living God. |
| 1 Cor 8:4 | ...an idol has no real existence... there is no God but one. | New Testament confirmation of idol worthlessness. |
| Deut 32:21 | They made Me jealous with what is no god... | Foreshadows Israel's abandonment for idols. |
| Judg 2:11-13 | ...they forsook the Lord, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods... | Describes Israel's cycle of forsaking God for other gods. |
| 2 Kgs 17:7-18 | They provoked the Lord to anger by their idols and worshiped all the host of heaven and served Baal. | Gives historical context to Northern Kingdom's fall due to idolatry. |
| Jer 1:16 | ...because they have forsaken Me and have burned incense to other gods and worshiped the works of their own hands. | Directly identifies idolatry as their forsaking God. |
| Jer 2:13 | For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns... | Further elaboration on Israel's twin sins of forsaking God and creating idols. |
| Hos 4:12 | My people inquire of a wooden thing, and their staff gives them guidance, for a spirit of prostitution has led them astray... | Uses metaphor of spiritual prostitution for idolatry. |
| Ps 3:3 | But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. | Identifies God as "my Glory," parallel to Jeremiah. |
| Ps 62:7 | On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. | Declares God as the source of salvation and glory. |
| Ps 106:20 | They exchanged their glory for the likeness of an ox that eats grass. | Another direct parallel, speaks of exchanging their glory for an idol. |
| Deut 10:21 | He is your praise and He is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things... | Emphasizes God's sole deserving of praise and loyalty. |
| Isa 45:5-6 | I am the Lord, and there is no other; besides Me there is no God. | Stresses God's absolute uniqueness, countering polytheism. |
| John 1:14 | And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory... | Shows Christ as the ultimate manifestation of God's Glory. |
| Heb 1:3 | He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature... | Attributes the full radiance of God's glory to Jesus. |
| Isa 60:19 | ...but the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. | Prophetic promise of God again being their glory. |
| Jer 3:6-11 | Have you seen what faithless Israel did? She went up on every high hill... and there played the prostitute. | Compares Israel's apostasy to spiritual prostitution. |
| Deut 29:26-28 | They went and served other gods... and because of this the Lord's anger burned against this land... | Connects forsaking God with His resulting judgment. |
| Hos 14:1-2 | Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity... | A call to repentance from idolatry back to God. |
Jeremiah 2 verses
Jeremiah 2 11 Meaning
Jeremiah 2:11 conveys God's astonished indictment of Israel. It highlights the profound illogicality and unparalleled apostasy of His covenant people. While pagan nations remain loyal to their non-existent deities, Israel, uniquely blessed with the true, living God—their "Glory" and true source of strength—has traded Him for utterly worthless idols that provide no benefit or salvation. This exchange represents an ultimate betrayal of their special relationship with YHWH, marking an irrational and perverse spiritual unfaithfulness.
Jeremiah 2 11 Context
Jeremiah 2 opens with God recounting His steadfast love and Israel's unique relationship with Him, likening their early days to a newlywed bride's devotion (vv. 2-3). However, this honeymoon period was quickly overshadowed by spiritual unfaithfulness. The chapter serves as God's formal lawsuit against His people (rib or covenant lawsuit), enumerating their transgressions against the covenant, with idolatry being a primary offense. Verse 11 comes as a rhetorical question posed by God, expressing divine bewilderment and sorrow at the utter irrationality of Judah's apostasy. Historically, Jeremiah prophesied during the reign of King Josiah in Judah (late 7th century BC). While Josiah initiated religious reforms, deep-seated idolatry and syncretism pervaded society, which would eventually lead to Judah's exile, following the earlier fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel due to similar sins. The verse is a powerful polemic against the prevailing pagan practices of the time, directly challenging the logic of worshiping impotent deities like Baal, Asherah, and the "host of heaven," which were seen as common among surrounding nations.
Jeremiah 2 11 Word analysis
- Has a nation changed: This opens with a rhetorical question, expressing astonishment. The implied answer is "no," nations do not easily switch their gods. It highlights the constancy of other peoples in their false beliefs, even to their own detriment. This contrasts sharply with Israel's actions.
- its gods: Refers to the various deities worshipped by pagan nations, such as the gods of the Ammonites, Moabites, or the Canaanite pantheon.
- which are not gods: The Hebrew is "lō elohim" (לֹא אֱלֹהִים), meaning literally "no gods" or "not gods." This is a definitive statement declaring the absolute nullity, non-existence, and powerlessness of these supposed deities. They are fabrications, devoid of divine essence or capacity. This phrase is a strong biblical polemic against all forms of idolatry.
- But My people: "Ya'an ammi" (יַעַן עַמִּי) creates a strong adversative contrast. The possessive "My" underscores the unique covenant relationship Israel had with YHWH. They are called to be a distinct, holy people (Deut 7:6). This distinction makes their betrayal all the more grievous and illogical.
- have changed their Glory: The Hebrew verb is "hemiru" (הֵמִירוּ), meaning "to exchange" or "to barter." It implies trading something of immense value for something worthless. "Glory" is "kevodi" (כְּבוֹדִי), referring to God Himself, specifically His radiant presence, His majestic power, His intrinsic worth, and the honor and blessing He bestows upon those who serve Him. God is Israel's true honor, defense, and splendor. To "change" God signifies turning away from Him to something else as the object of trust and worship. This points to the heinousness of the sin – it is a willing transaction.
- for what does not profit: The Hebrew "b'lo yo'il" (בְּלוֹא יוֹעִיל) means "for that which gives no profit/advantage," or "for something useless/worthless." It emphasizes the absolute futility and unhelpfulness of idols. Unlike YHWH, who provides life, blessing, protection, and true fulfillment, idols can do nothing; they yield no gain, no salvation, no real help in times of need. This contrasts sharply with God's promise to "profit" His people (Isa 48:17). The trade is not only illegitimate but also incredibly disadvantageous.
Jeremiah 2 11 Bonus section
- The rhetorical question structure highlights God's grief and logical incredulity at Israel's behavior. It's a lamentation, expressing sorrow over their foolishness rather than simple anger.
- The concept of "Glory" is central to understanding the magnitude of their sin. It isn't just that they chose another god; they rejected the God who manifested His magnificent presence and power, and was the source of their honor among nations.
- This verse encapsulates a core message of the prophetic books: the absolute uniqueness of YHWH as the one true God, contrasting Him with the complete impotence and vanity of all other supposed deities.
- The "profit" aspect emphasizes the covenant nature of their relationship. God profited Israel through His blessings and protection. The idols offered only emptiness.
Jeremiah 2 11 Commentary
Jeremiah 2:11 stands as a powerful divine lament over Israel's spiritual irrationality. God expresses His astonishment that even pagan nations demonstrate a consistent, albeit misplaced, loyalty to their non-existent gods, whereas His own chosen people have flagrantly abandoned their source of life, strength, and ultimate "Glory" for useless idols. The phrase "changed their Glory" signifies a profound betrayal, a perverse bartering of the infinitely valuable living God for impotent, man-made creations that offer no help or salvation. It underscores the unparalleled folly of trading infinite spiritual wealth for utter spiritual poverty. This verse serves as a timeless warning against any spiritual pursuit that exchanges the true Giver of life for things that "do not profit"—idolatry being the ultimate example, but it also extends to anything we elevate above God in our hearts that yields no true eternal benefit.