Jeremiah 2 18

Jeremiah 2:18 kjv

And 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?

Jeremiah 2:18 nkjv

And now why take the road to Egypt, To drink the waters of Sihor? Or why take the road to Assyria, To drink the waters of the River?

Jeremiah 2:18 niv

Now why go to Egypt to drink water from the Nile? And why go to Assyria to drink water from the Euphrates?

Jeremiah 2:18 esv

And now what do you gain by going to Egypt to drink the waters of the Nile? Or what do you gain by going to Assyria to drink the waters of the Euphrates?

Jeremiah 2:18 nlt

"What have you gained by your alliances with Egypt
and your covenants with Assyria?
What good to you are the streams of the Nile
or the waters of the Euphrates River?

Jeremiah 2 verses

Jeremiah 2 18 Meaning

Jeremiah 2:18 asks, "Now what will you gain by going to Egypt to drink the waters of the Nile? And what will you gain by going to Assyria to drink the waters of the Euphrates?" This verse is a rhetorical question that powerfully exposes the futility and spiritual foolishness of Judah's turning away from God, the true source of life and provision, to seek help and security from powerful foreign nations. It portrays their misguided alliances with Egypt and Assyria as attempts to quench a spiritual thirst with polluted or unsatisfying "waters," implying that these worldly sources will bring no true benefit, but rather further distress and judgment. It condemns their misplaced trust and idolatrous heart for abandoning the Lord their God.

Jeremiah 2 18 Context

Jeremiah 2:18 is situated within the initial discourse of Jeremiah's prophetic ministry, where the Lord delivers a solemn indictment against the people of Judah for their covenant infidelity. The chapter begins by recalling Judah's past devotion (vv. 2-3) but quickly pivots to their shocking departure from God. Verses 4-8 question why the people turned away from the Lord, who led them safely and brought them into a fertile land. Verses 9-13 present the core accusation: Judah committed "two evils"—abandoning the Lord, the "fountain of living waters," and hewing out "broken cisterns that can hold no water."

Verse 18 specifically illustrates Judah's seeking satisfaction and security in these "broken cisterns," namely by pursuing alliances with the dominant geopolitical powers of their time: Egypt and Assyria. Historically, Judah was often caught between these empires, fluctuating between aligning with one against the other, or paying tribute to them. These political maneuvering were seen as a betrayal of their exclusive covenant with Yahweh, who alone was meant to be their source of protection and sustenance. The "drinking of waters" metaphor highlights their dependence and longing for these foreign powers to provide what only God could. This historical context illuminates the prophetic critique against Judah's deep spiritual rebellion and their misplaced trust.

Jeremiah 2 18 Word analysis

• And what will you gain? (מַה לָּךְ - mah lakh): Literally, "What to you?" or "What do you have for yourself?" This is a powerful rhetorical question designed to elicit a negative answer. It implies that there will be no benefit, no advantage, no true satisfaction or security gained from this action. The question challenges the wisdom and purpose of their choice, suggesting a futile and self-defeating path. It highlights Judah's folly in abandoning the infinitely beneficial relationship with God for utterly valueless foreign dependencies.
• by going to Egypt (לְדֶרֶךְ מִצְרַיִם - l'derekh Mitzrayim): Literally, "to the way of Egypt" or "on the road to Egypt." Egypt represents a powerful political entity, but also a land of past oppression for Israel (Exodus narrative) and a source of idolatry. This "way" signifies a course of action, an alignment, a chosen path of reliance and seeking help from a foreign power rather than Yahweh. This recurrence to Egypt shows a spiritual forgetfulness and a deep-seated distrust in God's power and willingness to provide.
• to drink the waters of the Nile? (לִשְׁתּוֹת מֵי שִׁחוֹר - lish'tot mei shichor): "Shihor" typically refers to the Nile River or a border tributary. The Nile was the very source of life and fertility for Egypt, its national symbol of strength and sustenance. To "drink its waters" metaphorically means to rely upon, assimilate, or draw life and security from Egypt's perceived strength, resources, or alliances. This stands in stark contrast to God being the "fountain of living waters." These foreign waters are portrayed as unsatisfying, and potentially even harmful, as they signify reliance on a broken, worldly cistern rather than the divine wellspring.
• And what will you gain by going to Assyria? (וּמַה לָּךְ לְדֶרֶךְ אַשּׁוּר - u'mah lakh l'derekh Ashshur): Repeating the rhetorical question emphasizes its application to another dominant power. Assyria, notorious for its military might and brutality (having already destroyed the Northern Kingdom of Israel), represents another misguided attempt to find security. It highlights Judah's wavering between regional giants, rather than consistently relying on God.
• to drink the waters of the Euphrates? (לִשְׁתּוֹת מֵי נָהָר - lish'tot mei Nahar): "Nahar" simply means "river," here contextually referring to the great Euphrates River, the lifeblood of the Mesopotamian empires, including Assyria (and later Babylon). Like the Nile, the Euphrates symbolizes the wealth, power, and sustenance of Assyria. "Drinking its waters" signifies dependence, seeking protection, or adopting the ways of Assyria. This choice, too, will prove to be empty and unfulfilling, as human power is inherently limited and untrustworthy in comparison to the Lord.

• "What will you gain... to drink the waters..." (Rhetorical Question & Metaphor of Drinking): This core phrasing effectively challenges the logic of Judah's foreign alliances. The rhetorical "What will you gain?" (מַה לָּךְ) suggests "Nothing at all!" or "Absolutely no profit!" It underscores the utter futility of their actions. The "drinking the waters" (לִשְׁתּוֹת מֵי) serves as a potent metaphor for seeking life, sustenance, prosperity, and security from these foreign powers. In the desert climate, water is essential for life, making the contrast with the "fountain of living waters" (Jer 2:13) even more vivid. Judah is attempting to satisfy a vital spiritual need from dead, defiled, or foreign sources.
• "Egypt... Nile" and "Assyria... Euphrates" (Parallelism and Symbolism): The pairing of Egypt and Assyria, each with their characteristic river, creates a strong parallelism that highlights Judah's desperate and oscillating dependency on geopolitical might rather than on God. Egypt, associated with slavery and paganism, and Assyria, known for its destructive conquest, represent the human kingdoms' deceptive allure. The Nile and Euphrates, symbols of their respective nations' lifeblood, represent the illusory provision these nations offer. They contrast with Yahweh as the one true spring of life.

Jeremiah 2 18 Bonus section

• Recurring Biblical Pattern: The act of "going down to Egypt" for help or refuge is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, almost always leading to trouble (e.g., Abraham, the patriarchs during famine leading to slavery, Solomon marrying Pharaoh's daughter, Israel's return to Egypt for horses and chariots, later kings relying on Egypt). Jeremiah's warning continues this consistent biblical critique against trusting in this particular worldly power.
• Spiritual Prostitution: The prophet Hosea often uses the metaphor of spiritual adultery or prostitution to describe Israel's pursuit of foreign gods and alliances (e.g., Hos 1-3). Jeremiah 2:18 fits this theme perfectly, portraying Judah's flirtation with Egypt and Assyria as a deep breach of their exclusive covenant fidelity with Yahweh.
• The Contrast with Yahweh: The power of this verse comes into full focus when juxtaposed with Jeremiah 2:13, where God describes Himself as the "fountain of living waters." The imagery emphasizes that God is dynamic, life-giving, and eternally fresh. The "waters" of foreign nations, by contrast, are not only foreign but ultimately lifeless or contaminating. They are "broken cisterns," incapable of holding the true water of life.
• Universal Principle: This specific historical warning extends to a timeless spiritual principle: the futility of seeking satisfaction, security, and salvation from anything other than the one true God. Believers today are warned against relying on wealth, power, human philosophies, or earthly pursuits to find meaning and purpose that can only come from a relationship with God through Christ.

Jeremiah 2 18 Commentary

Jeremiah 2:18 vividly exposes Judah's profound spiritual disloyalty. Having abandoned the Lord, the true "fountain of living waters," they turned to worldly alliances—represented by Egypt and Assyria—in a desperate, misguided search for security and satisfaction. The rhetorical question, "What will you gain?" underscores the utter futility of their actions. The "waters" of the Nile and Euphrates symbolize the resources, strength, and perceived protection these empires offered. Yet, in contrast to the life-giving flow of God's provision, these foreign waters are depicted as unable to quench a deeper, spiritual thirst or provide lasting peace. This reliance on human might and foreign influence was an act of covenant infidelity, demonstrating a lack of trust in God's ability and willingness to be their sole defender and provider. It's a prophetic warning against seeking sustenance and safety in anything other than the Lord, highlighting that such misplaced trust only leads to disillusionment and divine judgment, rather than the anticipated gain.