Jeremiah 2 23

Jeremiah 2:23 kjv

How canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim? see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done: thou art a swift dromedary traversing her ways;

Jeremiah 2:23 nkjv

"How can you say, 'I am not polluted, I have not gone after the Baals'? See your way in the valley; Know what you have done: You are a swift dromedary breaking loose in her ways,

Jeremiah 2:23 niv

"How can you say, 'I am not defiled; I have not run after the Baals'? See how you behaved in the valley; consider what you have done. You are a swift she-camel running here and there,

Jeremiah 2:23 esv

How can you say, 'I am not unclean, I have not gone after the Baals'? Look at your way in the valley; know what you have done ? a restless young camel running here and there,

Jeremiah 2:23 nlt

"You say, 'That's not true!
I haven't worshiped the images of Baal!'
But how can you say that?
Go and look in any valley in the land!
Face the awful sins you have done.
You are like a restless female camel
desperately searching for a mate.

Jeremiah 2 verses

Jeremiah 2 23 Meaning

Jeremiah 2:23 is a stark rhetorical question from God, delivered through the prophet Jeremiah, exposing the blatant hypocrisy of Judah. It reveals their self-deceptive denial of idolatry, despite their widespread and flagrant practice of worshipping false gods. The verse vividly portrays Judah's unfaithfulness as an undeniable act, visible even in the physical locations where their abominable worship took place, likening their frenzied pursuit of idols to the uncontrolled and restless wandering of a swift she-camel.

Jeremiah 2 23 Context

Jeremiah 2 initiates a series of confrontations between God (speaking through Jeremiah) and Judah, addressing their unfaithfulness and apostasy. The chapter opens with God reminiscing about Israel's youthful devotion (v. 2-3) and then immediately pivots to accuse them of abandoning Him, the fountain of living waters, for broken cisterns (v. 13). The overarching theme is Judah's spiritual adultery and inexplicable turn from the true God to idols, specifically Baal. Verse 23 specifically addresses their persistent and defiant denial of this widespread idolatry. It occurs after God has cataloged various charges against them and serves to underscore the depth of their self-deception and moral blindness, rejecting any accountability despite overwhelming evidence. Historically, Judah at this time was under the rule of kings who tolerated or even promoted pagan practices, setting altars in prominent public and private places, and even engaging in horrific rites like child sacrifice, often in the valleys surrounding Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 2 23 Word analysis

• How can you say: This is a powerful rhetorical question (אֵיךְ תֹּאמְרִי - ’êḵ tō’mĕrî) conveying God's incredulity and the utter absurdity of Judah's claim. It challenges their self-righteous denial in the face of glaring evidence. It emphasizes divine impatience with hypocrisy.
• 'I am not defiled: The Hebrew (לֹא נִטְמֵאתִי - lō’ niṭmê’tî) uses ṭāmē’, meaning to be ritually or morally unclean, polluted, or defiled. It implies a state contrary to the purity and holiness God demanded of His covenant people. By claiming they are not "defiled," they assert innocence and adherence to divine standards, which is patently false. This points to a deep self-deception and lack of discernment concerning their own spiritual state.
• I have not gone after the Baals: To "go after" (אַחֲרֵי - ’aḥarê) someone/something often implies following, serving, or submitting to. "Baals" (הַבְּעָלִים - habBĕ‘ālîm) refers to multiple manifestations of Baal, a chief Canaanite storm and fertility deity, worshipped through various abominable practices, including sacred prostitution and child sacrifice. This denial is a direct lie, as Baal worship was pervasive in Judah. This is a primary accusation of idolatry.
• Look at your way in the valley: "Your way" refers to their conduct, actions, and practices. "Valley" (בַּגַּיְא - baga yi’) often denotes a literal geographical location, particularly the Kidron Valley or the Valley of Hinnom (Gehenna), infamous sites for pagan cults and the heinous ritual of child sacrifice (Moloch worship). The imperative "Look" (רְאִי - re’î) calls them to confront their own undeniable actions in specific, tangible places, leaving no room for denial.
• know what you have done: An emphatic call to self-awareness and acknowledgement. It is not an invitation to discover, but to confess what is already evident and actively being practiced. It underscores their intellectual and spiritual blindness or deliberate rejection of truth.
• you swift she-camel: "She-camel" (בִּכְרָה - bikhrāh) here denotes a young, energetic female camel, known for its swiftness and sometimes for its erratic, unrestrained movements when in heat (though the explicit "in heat" is from v. 24, it strongly colors the metaphor here). The animal represents untamed passion, restlessness, and an uncontrolled, aimless pursuit.
• traversing her ways: (מְשָׂרֶכֶת דְּרָכֶיהָ - mĕśāreḵet dĕrāḵeyhā) Literally "crossing/weaving her paths." This phrase intensifies the imagery of the she-camel, portraying its unbridled, unpredictable, and frenetic roaming, wandering here and there without constraint. It vividly illustrates Judah's promiscuous and indiscriminate spiritual wandering, seeking fulfillment from multiple pagan sources instead of remaining steadfastly loyal to Yahweh. This group of words describes the insatiable, restless, and indiscriminate nature of Judah's idolatry. They are not merely dabbling but are eagerly and energetically engaging in forbidden practices, rushing from one form of idolatry to another.

Jeremiah 2 23 Bonus section

• The prophetic language often uses strong, even harsh, animal metaphors (like the "she-camel" here or the "wild donkey" in the very next verse, 2:24) to strip away any pretense and graphically depict the ugly reality of spiritual unfaithfulness. These animalistic descriptions underscore the primal, uncontrolled nature of their rebellion, acting out of base impulse rather than rational covenant obedience.
• The "valley" could also imply secrecy or hidden abominations, which are then brought into the light by God's omniscient gaze. While practices might be somewhat public, some ritualistic acts would be performed in secluded or dark places, yet God sees all.
• The use of the feminine pronoun ("you," Judah/Israel often depicted as female) adds a layer of depth, fitting with the ongoing marital metaphor throughout Jeremiah, where Judah is portrayed as Yahweh's unfaithful wife, committing spiritual adultery.
• The irony lies in Judah's conviction that they are pure, whereas their every step is stained by pagan practices. This self-deception is often a precursor to further spiritual hardening and makes true repentance difficult.

Jeremiah 2 23 Commentary

Jeremiah 2:23 forcefully exposes Judah's profound spiritual disconnect: their internal declaration of innocence starkly contrasts with their observable, scandalous actions. The rhetorical question mocks their self-deception, laying bare the lie in their claims of being undefiled and uncommitted to pagan deities. God, through Jeremiah, asserts that their denial is absurd, as their "way in the valley" – a clear reference to places like the Hinnom Valley, where abominations like child sacrifice occurred – stands as incontrovertible proof of their defilement and idolatrous devotion to the Baals. The potent imagery of the "swift she-camel traversing her ways" powerfully communicates the wild, uncontrolled, and pervasive nature of Judah's pursuit of idols. It signifies a frenetic, restless craving for foreign gods, an unbridled spiritual lust that leads them aimlessly from one pagan practice to another, oblivious to their covenant with Yahweh. This verse highlights that God's judgment is not based on mere words or declarations but on tangible actions and where the people's heart truly lies, demonstrating that outward denial does not negate inward apostasy.