Jeremiah 2 22

Jeremiah 2:22 kjv

For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord GOD.

Jeremiah 2:22 nkjv

For though you wash yourself with lye, and use much soap, Yet your iniquity is marked before Me," says the Lord GOD.

Jeremiah 2:22 niv

Although you wash yourself with soap and use an abundance of cleansing powder, the stain of your guilt is still before me," declares the Sovereign LORD.

Jeremiah 2:22 esv

Though you wash yourself with lye and use much soap, the stain of your guilt is still before me, declares the Lord GOD.

Jeremiah 2:22 nlt

No amount of soap or lye can make you clean.
I still see the stain of your guilt.
I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!

Jeremiah 2 verses

Jeremiah 2 22 Meaning

Jeremiah 2:22 illustrates the absolute futility of human attempts at self-purification from sin in the sight of the Lord. Despite vigorous efforts using strong cleansing agents like lye and abundant soap, the deep spiritual defilement of Judah's iniquity remains indelible and clearly evident before God. It emphasizes that superficial outward washing cannot remove the stain of an internal, perverse heart, highlighting the divine perception of sin as deeply ingrained and unmistakable.

Jeremiah 2 22 Context

Jeremiah chapter 2 marks the beginning of the Lord's lawsuit against Judah, emphasizing their profound apostasy and ingratitude. Through Jeremiah, God recounts His past faithfulness to Israel (Jer 2:1-7) and contrasts it with their abandonment of Him for worthless idols (Jer 2:8-13). Judah is depicted as a broken cistern, incapable of holding water, and a wild donkey in her lust for idolatry (Jer 2:13, 24). Verse 22 specifically targets the deceptive efforts of Judah to cover their deep-seated spiritual defilement. They might perform rituals or act outwardly pure, but their internal sin (idolatry, rebellion) remains glaringly apparent to God. Historically, Judah had deeply entrenched pagan practices adopted from surrounding nations, despite the prophets' warnings. This verse asserts that these superficial actions or even attempts at penance are entirely useless in erasing the deep stain of their continuous and unrepentant departure from the one true God.

Jeremiah 2 22 Word analysis

• For though you wash yourself: The Hebrew word rachats (רָחַצְתְּ) implies a vigorous, thorough washing, usually of the body. Here it conveys the intense human effort to purify or cleanse. It sets up the contrast that follows, emphasizing that even this strenuous physical act is insufficient for spiritual impurity.

• with lye: The Hebrew term nether (נֶתֶר) refers to a type of alkali, like sodium carbonate or niter, found naturally in certain regions. It was a potent cleansing agent in ancient times, highly effective for removing dirt and stains, much stronger than plain water. Its mention underscores the intensity of the "washing."

• and use much soap: The Hebrew word borit (בֹּרִית) denotes another strong alkaline agent, possibly from a plant extract, also used for cleaning. While not "soap" as we know it, it functioned as a powerful detergent. "Much" emphasizes the excessive effort applied, using not just one but two potent agents in quantity.

• yet your iniquity: The Hebrew term ʿawon (עָווֹן) refers to perversity, guilt, and the punishment for it. It signifies sin not just as a misdeed, but as a moral twistedness, a distortion of righteousness, indicating a deeply rooted defilement. This is the heart of the problem.

• is marked: The Hebrew word nikhtam (נִכְתָּם), in the Niphal stem (passive) of katam (כָּתַם), means to be stained, spotted, or defiled. It suggests an indelible mark, a permanent blot, something that cannot be washed away. This term emphasizes that despite all cleansing efforts, the stain of sin remains utterly visible.

• before me: The Hebrew phrase liphnay (לְפָנַי) means "in my face," "in my presence," or "in my sight." This highlights the direct, personal, and infallible observation of God. Human attempts at cleansing might deceive others or oneself, but never God.

• declares the Lord GOD: The phrase neʾum Adonai Yahweh (נְאֻם אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה) is a solemn prophetic formula, signaling that this is an authoritative divine oracle. It lends immense weight and certainty to the pronouncement, confirming it as an immutable truth from the sovereign Lord.

• "though you wash yourself with lye and use much soap": This phrase highlights the comprehensive, even desperate, efforts made by Judah to appear clean or to cleanse themselves of their guilt. It uses hyperbole with strong detergents to emphasize the futility of human, self-initiated efforts at expiation or atonement for deep spiritual sin. It critiques their reliance on outward actions rather than inward transformation.

• "yet your iniquity is marked before me": This directly contrasts human effort with divine perception. Despite intense self-cleansing rituals, the stain of their deeply perverse nature remains starkly visible to God. It indicates God's unwavering gaze that penetrates beyond external appearance to the core of spiritual defilement. The mark suggests an unchangeable record or indelible stain.

Jeremiah 2 22 Bonus section

This verse resonates powerfully with the concept of original sin and the human inability to achieve righteousness by works. It predates New Testament teachings but strongly foreshadows the necessity of divine grace and intervention for genuine cleansing and new life (e.g., being "washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ" as in 1 Cor 6:11). The image of the "indelible mark" also highlights God's perfect memory and justice concerning sin. It acts as a spiritual lie-detector, showing that God is not deceived by outward displays.

Jeremiah 2 22 Commentary

Jeremiah 2:22 offers a vivid and arresting image of the impotence of human endeavors to purify deeply ingrained spiritual corruption. Judah's idolatry and rebellion were not mere superficial actions but stemmed from a perverse, unfaithful heart. No matter how diligently they might attempt outward cleansing—be it through rituals, acts of superficial penance, or merely trying to present a clean façade—God’s all-seeing eye perceives the indelible stain of their iniquity. The choice of potent ancient detergents like lye (nether) and strong soap (borit) underscores the intensity of the futile effort. The "mark" is not superficial dirt, but a deep, pervasive spiritual defilement that external washing cannot reach. This verse is a sharp indictment against self-righteousness, ceremonialism devoid of true repentance, and any belief that human works or rituals can erase the deep-seated guilt of sin before a holy God. True cleansing must come from divine intervention, not human initiative, because the issue is one of a corrupted heart. For example, like trying to remove a deep-set stain from fabric with superficial washing, without addressing the underlying dye or damage; or trying to patch a rusted metal without removing the rust itself.